In 2001 the Human Genome Project succeeded in mapping the DNA of humans. This landmark accomplishment launched the field of genomics, the integrated study of all the genes in the human body and the related biomedical interventions that can be tailored to benefit a person's health.Today genomics, part of a larger movement toward personalized medicine, is poised to revolutionize health care. By cross-referencing an individual's genetic sequence -- their genome -- against known elements of "Big Data," elements of genomics are already being incorporated on a widespread basis, including prenatal disease screening and targeted cancer treatments. With more innovations soon to arrive at the bedside, the promise of the genomics revolution is limitless.This entry in the What Everyone Needs to Know series offers an authoritative resource on the prospects and realities of genomics and personalized medicine. As this science continues to alter traditional medical paradigms, consumers are faced with additional options and more complicated decisions regarding their health care. This book provides the essential information everyone needs.

AcknowledgementsIntroduction1: Personalized MedicineWhat is personalized medicine?What personal factors impact your health?2: Genome FundamentalsWhat is DNA?What is a genome?What does the genome do?How does one person's genome differ from another person's genome?How do genomes of men and women differ?How is the genome decoded?3: An Introduction to Cancer GeneticsWhat is cancer and how does it arise?How do the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes cause cancer?What are examples of other genes implicated in cancer?How does genetic information help us treat cancer?4: Genomics and Cancer TreatmentWhat has been learned from genome sequencing of cancer?How can genome sequencing advance cancer treatment?If I have cancer should I get my tumor genome sequenced?Why do anticancer drugs fail and how might genomic approaches help address this issue?Can genetics and genomics help detect early cancer and monitor treatment effectiveness?A new approach: What is immunotherapy?How can genomics be used to harness the patient's own immune system to fight their cancer?5: Solving Mystery DiseasesWhat is a mystery genetic disease?How many Mendelian diseases are there?How are genes responsible for genetic disorders identified?How useful are genomic approaches to solving mystery genetic diseases?Why can't most Mendelian diseases be solved?6: Complex genetic diseasesWhat is a complex genetic disease?How do complex genetics affect neurological diseases?How does complex genetics affect metabolic diseases?Can some diseases be both monogenic and complex?7: PharmacogenomicsHow can your genome directly help guide drug treatments for treating disease?What are other ways your DNA can guide drug treatmentsAre there sex differences in drug effects?8: Genomics for the Healthy PersonHow can getting your genome sequence improve your health?Can genome sequencing affect the drugs someone take?Can genetic testing be used to predict sports performance and injuries?Will sequencing my genome affect my children and my relatives?9: Prenatal TestingHow are genome sequencing technologies changing prenatal testing?Can genome sequencing be used to identify other mutations, beyond chromosomal abnormalities, that might cause disease?Can genetic testing be useful for choosing healthier embryos and producing designer babies?10: Effects of the environment on the genome and epigeneticsHow does the environment contribute to health?When did people first begin to study environmental effects?When do environmental effects begin?Can environmental factors directly impact the genome?What is epigenetics?What are some examples of environmental effects on physiology that are mediated through epigenetics?What is the role of epigenetics in disease?How will increased understanding of epigenetics impact health care?11: Other 'OmesWhat other 'omes are useful for medicine?How can the transcriptome and proteome be useful?How can the metabolome be useful?How deeply can a person be analyzed?12: The personal microbiomeWhat is the microbiome?How is the microbiome studied?How does the microbiome affect health?How does diet affect the microbiome?Can the microbiome affect other aspects of our lives?Can the microbiome be altered to improve human health?13: Your Immune System and Infectious DiseasesHow does your immune system protect you?How does the immune system vary among people and affect our health?How can we analyze infectious diseases?14: How does age affect your health?Are there genetic factors underlying longevity?Are there environmental factors that affect aging and longevity?Does epigenetics control aging?Will we someday be able to control our aging?15: Wearable Health DevicesWhat other types of personal health information can be readily collected?How will this information be made available to, and used by, the individual?16: Big Data and medicineHow much data can be gathered about a single person?How much data can be gathered about a group of people?How can a large database assist in medical care?How can Big Data guide lifestyle decisions?What are the opportunities for industry in Big Data Medicine?17: Delivery of genomic informationWho controls your genomic and other health information?Who will deliver genomic information to you?What is the role of the physician?What are the implications of direct-to-consumer genomic testing?18: EthicsCan your genetic information be used against you?What are the concerns surrounding routine (or even mandated) genetic screening?What is a possible solution?19: EducationCan we educate people to understand genomic information?How do we educate physicians to understand genomic informationWho else should we educate? What is the role of health care providers, insurers and policy makers?20: Privacy: Identifying people from their sequences.Can people be identified solely from the genome sequence?Will getting my genome sequenced affect my family members?21: Paying for personalized medicineWho pays for genome sequencing in treating disease?Who pays for genome sequencing in preventive medicine?Will genome sequencing make health care cheaper?Will people act on genomic information?22: The future of personalized medicineWhat other technologies will be prevalent in the personalized medicine space?What will the future look like?Index