How Decoding Our Genetic Secrets Can Save Our Lives
How analyzing genes can indicate health risks and arm a person to take preventive measures.
As the genetic mapping BRCA1 gene is A woman with a mutated BRCA1
In some people, there is an hereditary
a tumor-
process becomes more gene has a 60-80% chance of
gene mutation blocking the tumor-
suppressor. developing breast cancer and a
suppressing function. (A gene is made
affordable,
20-30% chance of ovarian cancer in
up of “bases” represented by letters)
Chromosome 17
understandable her life and men have an increased
A normal BRCA1 sequence
risk of prostate cancer.
and available,
AAA ARC TTA GAG TCT
people will have
An hereditary mutation that deletes Mutated BRCA1
increased two bases in the sequence... sequence
GA
information about
AAA ATC TTA __G TCT
BRCA 1
their hereditary gene
...makes the rest of the bases shift
predispositions. to the two empty spots.
AAA ATC TTA GTC TCC Offspring of those with
this mutation have a
Mutated
50% risk of inheriting
BRCA1 sequence
Source: George Church, Havard the mutated gene.
University; Mayo Clinic; National
Cancer Institute
Jessica Chosid - Bloomberg What a person Avoiding risk Preventive Preventive surgery
Surveillance
can do if they By exercise and chemotherapy Mastectomy or
To detect cancer as soon
Center for Genome Science have the limiting alcohol Drug therapy such removal of fallopian
as possible
http://cgs.cdc.go.kr mutated gene: comsumption as Tamoxifen tubes and ovaries

?
BRCA1 - BRCA1
.(
,
“ ” .)
17
BRCA1
AAA ARC TTA GAG TCT
, BRCA1
A
BRCA 1
G
AAA ATC TTA __G TCT
.
AAA ATC TTA GTC TCC
50% .
Source: George Church, Havard BRCA1
University; Mayo Clinic; National
Cancer Institute
Jessica Chosid - Bloomberg
Center for Genome Science
http://cgs.cdc.go.kr ?