Friday, November 25, 2011

Medical and Population genetics Combine

 



This article discusses the importance of continue research of evolutionary biology and genetic research. The importance of these fields are lost amongst health care professionals such as physicians, medical researchers as well as educators. This is because they tend to focus on the immediate issue of curing the disease and do not focus on question, why is this person affected by this disease and why are they susceptible to it? The diseases that plague our populations are infecting us not because of our overall health or lifespan, but rather our genetic fitness. This brings forth the novel concept of evolutionary fitness, if you are evolutionarily stronger than a disease than you are not affected by it. This idea ties together both evolutionary medicine as well as contemporary population genetics. With these views of the human population we can gain great knowledge in the factors that affect our overall health and survivability. We can identify and treat diseases not only in the here and now but hopefully prevent the contraction and spread of illness. It is through understanding genetics that we can provide mankind with a brighter and healthier future.

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