The science of genetics has changed the idea of early detection of a disease

Pictures by Syamsi Suhaimi

IMAGINE being able to do genetic sequencing at 25 years old and knowing upfront that you have gene mutation which could develop into breast cancer and then, at 36, you notice a tiny lump and have it removed. It does not take you by surprise. You know it is coming.

The science of genetics has changed the idea of early detection. You can now know if you are susceptible to certain diseases and you can catch cancer, for example, even before it reaches stage one.

Medical geneticist Professor Dr Zilfalil Alwi from Universiti Sains Malaysia Kubang Kerian in Kelantan is one of only nine clinical genetic specialists in the country. He is passionate about the rapid development in genomics that will change the way we look at, well, everything.

Health and diseases are just two aspects of the vast opportunities that the study of genome can offer mankind,

There are mainly two types of genetic disease, he says. Some are caused by one gene, some by multiple genes.

Diseases like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are caused by multiple genes and we dont yet know how many genes are involved.Maybe 20, 100 or 1,000. The more genes cause a certain disease, the more difficult it is to detect it early, he says, adding that research is on-going to detect genes associated with them.

The list for complex diseases is not completed yet, he says.

Excerpt from:
It’s in the genes