The genetics of complex diseases

Citation
G. Thomson et Ms. Esposito, The genetics of complex diseases, TRENDS BIOC, 24(12), 1999, pp. M17-M20
Citations number
39
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
TRENDS IN BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCES
ISSN journal
09680004 → ACNP
Volume
24
Issue
12
Year of publication
1999
Pages
M17 - M20
Database
ISI
SICI code
0968-0004(199912)24:12<M17:TGOCD>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
Genetic factors influence virtually every human disorder, determining disea se susceptibility or resistance and interactions with environmental factors . Our recent successes in the genetic mapping and identification of the mol ecular basis of mendelian traits have been remarkable. Now, attention is ra pidly shifting to more-complex, and more-prevalent, genetic disorders and t raits that involve multiple genes and environmental effects, such as cardio vascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia. Rather than being due to specific and relatively rare mutations, complex diseases and traits result principally from genetic variation that is relatively com mon in the general population. Unfortunately, despite extensive efforts by many groups, only a few genetic regions and genes involved in complex disea ses have been identified. Completion of the human genome sequence will be a seminal accomplishment, but it will not provide an immediate solution to t he genetics of complex traits.