DNA Databases are too White, so Genetics Doesn’t Help Everyone. How do we Fix that?

Within this article, it is discussed that ever since the Human Genome Project it was promised that soon doctors would be able to look at ones DNA and be able to prescribe medications for their illnesses and even be able to prevent some diseases. This promise of precision medicine has yet to come to life, however even though researchers are getting information about genetic variants linked to conditions, much of the information only benefits white people since data is mainly drawn from white participants. The data collected does not represent the full range of diversity in humans, and would be less effective when it comes to groups who would have worse health outcomes. For example how African Americans have a variant gene called TRPV6 and an overactive TRPV6 gene is a hallmark for prostate and breast cancer which disproportionately kills African Americans in the US. Another example is the enzyme CYP2C19 , some ethnic and racial groups do not have the version of this enzyme that is able to convert some medications, especially in Asians. Analyzing a person's DNA and having a precise reference genome to compare it against is a considerably superior technique than thinking ethnicity implies genetic composition or that everyone is like Europeans. It should be decided which genomes to produce based on known health disparities.

Why We Need to Rethink Ethnicity-Based Genetic Testing

     This article discusses the importance of abolishing ethnicity- based genetic testing for mothers who are pregnant, but rather open up the genetic testing without ethnicity being the sole testing standards. Currently the data is skewed toward a European Caucasian population. This makes it hard to to interpret due to the genetic variance in minority races. This should be concerning and important because the US has been increasingly diversifying. Genetic testing is offered to women during pregnancy and allows the mother to see if there are any diseases or complications with the offspring before birth. However, the genetic testing is currently ran biased on the self reported ethnicity the mother provides. An example would be African patients are offered testing for sickle cell disease. Although, there are some diseases that are prevalent in certain minority groups, it doesn't inhibit other disease from happening that might not be getting tested for. With updated technology there is an inexpensive way to genetically screen multiple diseases at a time. This doesn't only allow physicians to better a universal disease panel to the parents but also promoting equality in genetics.
     I agree with this article that it is important to do genetic testing regardless of what ethnicity the child is. With so much diversity amongst individuals that are reproducing it is hard to determine the exact ethnicity of a child. Being able to create a common screening to check for multiple mutations and diseases regardless of race or ethnicity allows physicians to provide parents a more in depth result of the child's health.

The Mystery of Hypertension

It seems that hypertension is on the minds of most people upon entering their primary physician's office. High blood pressure fits in right up there next to cholesterol level and body weight on the list of everyday health concerns. In an article found in the Health and Wellness section of Tree.com called The Genetics of Hypertension, a few points are made that suggest some of the likely causes of high blood pressure. Some of these points may help clear up some confusion or settle the minds of those who may be worried about their own risk. The main question at hand here is: are there steps I can take to ensure that my blood pressure stays at a healthy level, or is it simply written in my genetic blueprint? The answer is yes. To both questions, actually.

Researchers have provided extensive data showing that people of African descent are more at risk of developing hypertension than people of Caucasian descent.They are also at higher risk of developing cardiac conditions due to a higher blood pressure, such as heart attack or stroke. Also, males are more at risk of developing high blood pressure than females of the same age. That said, females are also fully capable of having high blood pressure as well.



It's a commonly known statistic that people are more likely to develop any illness or condition when it is present in family history. Further, smoking, drinking in excess, and leading a sedentary lifestyle is proven to raise blood pressure no matter how clean of a family history one has or what gender of ethnicity they are. On the other hand, leading a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of people that are in genetic danger of developing hypertension.

Geneticists have already located at least three variants on the kidney gene G protein coupled receptor kinase Type 4 (GRK4) than show relevant accompaniment with essential hypertension. Essential hypertension is the occurrence of high blood pressure with out any significant medical cause. It is likely that advancements will be made that will make possible the early detection, better treatment and possible gene therapy of patients with hypertension.