subject: The Promise Of Pharmacogenetics [print this page] The goal of the scientists in studying pharmacogenetics is to determine which medication formula best fitted a particular patient. Their basis is the DNA of that person. Scientists believe and have proven that each DNA of an individual makes him unique in all aspects of his existence. If he takes a certain medicine to cure a throat infection, for example, the guarantee that his infection will be driven off is not promising.
Besides that, his physician cannot determine whether the prescribed anti-biotic will not create complications or serious adverse reactions, which all doctors are trying their best to avoid. With pharmacogenetics, however, the scientists will have an in-depth understanding on gene variations: their role to the human body. The gene variations include the defective genes that scientists are very curious to know their role as well.
Simply put, in pharmacogenetics, researchers may be able see that a gene variation X can make people more prone to contract a serious rash upon taking a medication. With this knowledge, the doctor may not simply prescribe that medicine instinctively. He would first determine if the individual has variation X by initiating a genetic test.
If the genetic test result indicates that the person has variation X, then the physician has two options: one, the doctor can prescribe other medications to keep the rash from occurring. Two, the doctor will prescribe another medicine with which the patient's genetic makeup does not put him at risk of developing the rash.
As of the moment though, this new science does not have widespread applications. Nevertheless, there are a few drugs that have been evaluated in lieu of some genes that seem to influence their consequence, and thus, helped some pharmaceutical scientists to personalize medicine or tailor-formulate drug therapy in limited circumstances.
The scientists are particularly applying pharmacogenetics in treating or finding a cure to HIV, Hepatitis C and Breast Cancer. Although these studies are small and apply to a small number of medicines, there have been indications of positive results.
For now, this new science offers opportunities for lifecycle management. And through the post-market surveillance, there is a guarantee of enhancing the use of existing and recently introduced medicines. Over the past few years, many medicines were issued a recall by the Food and Drug Administration because of their serious adverse reactions on some patients.
With this new development in the medicine, scientists can take another look at these recalled medicines and find other benefits from them. Maybe the medicines can be studied to determine which genetic makeup they are compatible to, and thus be prescribed to a very small sub-group of patients whose genetic constitution does not make them vulnerable to such undesirable effects. Or perhaps they can be reformulated again to reduce the side effects without affecting the effectiveness.
Patients will have lesser risks of the negative side effects from certain medicines because the doctor would have known earlier that your body will respond well to such medicines after taking and evaluating your DNA profile, which could lead to fast recovery and more accurate treatment.
