How does genetics benefit us TODAY?

runswithascript

I was asked recently how I thought genetics benefits us today, and apart from replying to the person that GM foods are resistant to some parasites and will not get damaged by some artificial weedkillers, and that people can be screened to see if they are carriers of certain genetic disorders or in fact have those disorders, I was at a loss.

Are there other real world benefits to the average person from genetic today, and do you see this changing much into the future, apart from say stem cell research?

Emme

dusf wrote: »

I was asked recently how I thought genetics benefits us today, and apart from replying to the person that GM foods are resistant to some parasites and will not get damaged by some artificial weedkillers, and that people can be screened to see if they are carriers of certain genetic disorders or in fact have those disorders, I was at a loss.

Are there other real world benefits to the average person from genetic today, and do you see this changing much into the future, apart from say stem cell research?

I'm not an expert in this area but I don't see the fact that certain GM foods don't get damaged by weedkillers as a good thing. Human beings have to consume these foods.

I think genetics is useful if certain susceptibilities can be identified at a young age. For example, people who are genetically susceptible to type 2 diabetes or heart disease can be counselled and advised to adjust their lifestyle to minimize the risk of activating these genes.

IcarusPlus

You might get some joy out of this article. Fascinating potential for genetic data storage:
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/08/written-in-dna-code.html