Where is the genetic variation and personal health related?

More than four years ago, doctors observed an abnormal phenomenon in some anesthetized patients with succinylcholine, after waking up these patients remained lethargic for a period of time. It is very difficult to breathe. The doctors later found that the patients mentioned above had a genetic phenomenon: their ability to metabolize drugs in their bodies was very low. Shortly thereafter, scientists detected and found that succinylcholine metabolism was too slow to be involved in specific genetic variations . An estimated 1,3500 individuals carry two versions of abnormal genes, causing their bodies to be at high risk of adverse reactions to drugs.

Understanding and explaining the effect of succinylcholine on the patient's body can be considered the first recognition of researchers. Prior to the relationship between genetic variation and drug reaction of a particular individual. Since then, such records, though not many, have continued to help scientists explain why some patients are very sensitive to drugs, others are indifferent and others. consider the drug to be a poison.

To date, in addition to the genetic variation that causes patients to react abnormally to drugs, doctors have also noted that some other forms of mutation similarly play a major role in causing the risk of finding hide of an individual for certain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer. Moreover, the relationship between genetic variation and disease also helps explain why quite a lot of smokers do not suffer from lung cancer, and some people only breathe in tobacco vapor sticking to the disease.

The advancement of science in general and medicine - biology in particular allows hope (sometimes even exaggerated exaggeration) that we are at the door of an era called personalized medicine. medicine). Accordingly, genetic tests will help the doctor determine whether they are at risk of disease and therefore suggest appropriate prevention or treatment. However, it should be noted that DNA digging is responsible for DNA - which is actually responsible DNA - and transforms DNA information into genetic tests that doctors can use, in fact still is a terrible challenge.

Many other cases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, depression, . seem to be the result of intense use of a multi-gene system with environmental conditions, such as nicotine in smoke Excess leaves or fat during meals. Needless to say, it is envisioned how much genetic interactions will make researchers struggle to understand the causes of disease development and suggest treatment. For example, last summer (in 2004), a group of researchers found 124 different genes linked to resist four types of leukemia drugs.

However, identifying such gene systems is just the beginning. One of the toughest challenges is how to rebuild these studies. The task is even more difficult with some non-hereditary diseases like asthma. Or with some diseases focused on only a few examples of cancer in some children. In fact, many clinical tests have not regularly collected a patient's DNA sample, making it difficult for scientists to find a specific reaction between the disease or the gene. The microarray technique that allows observing the expression of dozens of genes at the same time sometimes gives very vague and conflicting results. The study of genes is also very costly problem.

However, one must recognize that genetic research in a number of diseases such as cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease has been galloping forward. In contrast, the process of psychiatric research seems to be slower. But it is also noted that some patients with depression or paranoid neurological conditions can easily be diagnosed from which to give treatment (including the type and dose of medicine appointed by the doctor). ) will be able to help them overcome the disease; But in contrast to asthma, due to different drug reactions in each patient, it is difficult to determine the exact dose.

Since reading DNA sequences has become 'normal' and non-stop developing biomedical techniques, genetic-related health problems will no longer be too harsh for researchers. . Genetic tools that are still being developed may help to increase the study of pathogenic genes, such as a haploid map that is expected to be used to discern genetic variations in some Common diseases.

The next step is to design DNA-based tests to help the doctor have the best clinical order. However, the fact is that it is very time-consuming to include these tests in clinical use. Especially in some emergencies, such as heart attacks, acute cancer or asthma attacks, these tests will only be valid if they give accurate results in the shortest possible time.

The last thing, comprehensive personal medicine will only form if pharmaceutical companies really want this - and companies will have to spend huge resources on research and development. Because many companies worry that such genetic tests will narrow the market and reduce their profits.

Still, researchers continue to feed and look for new opportunities. In May 2005, an Irish company - deCODE Genetics - reported that an asthma drug was in the research phase when the drug company turned out to be outdone by the drug company, reducing the risk of heart attack. In 170 patients, there were a number of specific genetic variants. Accordingly, the drug has affected some proteins produced by the mutated genes mentioned above. This discovery seems to be a prediction that will still have many fascinating episodes of the story, as the veil covering DNA, medicine and disease is slowly falling.

Tran Hoang Dung