Molecular medicine is advancing as scientists sequence disease-related genes to better understand and treat disease. Physicians will tailor drug prescriptions based on genetic differences in how people respond to treatment. Determining the molecular structure of disease genes allows scientists to develop new treatment strategies by applying this genetic knowledge. As understanding of human genetic variation improves, diagnosis and treatment of diseases by physicians will change substantially.
3. What Did You Learn?
• Identifying and sequencing disease-related genes helps scientists
better understand and treat disease
• Physicians will change how they prescribe drugs because of our
increasing understanding of how genetic differences among people
affect response to drug treatment
• Molecular structure of a disease-related gene can help scientists
develop new strategies for treating the disease
• As our understanding of human genetic variation improves, we will
likely see many changes in how physicians diagnosis and treat
human diseases
