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Every person inherits genes from their parents that determine most of their traits, from hair color to height. While a healthy lifestyle can help prevent diseases, some illnesses are genetically driven. Let’s take a look at what we can control and what we cannot.

Inheritance of Genes

Genes are passed down from parents to children, and everyone has two copies of each gene—one from the mother and one from the father. When a person has a child, they pass on one copy of each gene to that child. This inheritance process can cause certain traits or characteristics to appear more frequently in families.

Some diseases also have a genetic component, meaning they can be caused by a mutation or alteration in one or more genes. Examples include hereditary cancers like breast and ovarian cancer, or inherited metabolic disorders such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.

The likelihood of developing a genetic disorder depends on various factors, including which genes are inherited from the parents and what specific changes occur within those genes.

Environmental Influences on Gene Expression

In addition to genetic factors, environmental influences can also impact the development of diseases. These are the factors we have control over. Habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise can increase the risk of certain diseases. These factors can also affect how genes are turned on or off in the body, which in turn can influence disease development.

While genetic predisposition plays a major role in some diseases like Type 1 diabetes, environmental factors are more significant in others, such as Type 2 diabetes.

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing can help identify changes in genes that increase the risk of certain diseases and can be used to diagnose hereditary conditions. However, genetic tests do not always provide clear answers. A positive result for a specific genetic mutation does not necessarily mean the person will develop the associated disease. But knowing about a potential genetic predisposition can allow someone to take preventative measures under medical supervision.

Genetics in medical research

The Gene Scissors - A new tool for targeted gene modification
The so-called gene scissors, also known as CRISPR-Cas9 technology, is a novel method for making precise changes to DNA. This technology allows researchers to remove, replace, or repair specific genes within a cell. The gene scissors work by cutting the DNA at a specific site, which enables the desired genetic change.

The development of CRISPR-Cas9 gene scissors has been ongoing for several years and has been advanced and refined by many scientists worldwide. The work of Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna on the application of this technology led to them receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.

Through targeted gene changes, diseases can be cured or prevented by repairing defective genes or replacing them with functional ones. In the future, diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington's disease could potentially be treated using gene scissors. Exciting times lie ahead.

Closing Words

Although a healthy lifestyle and preventative measures can help minimize the risk of certain illnesses, a person's genetic predisposition can increase their risk for certain diseases. Or to put it another way: You can live as healthily as you want — if your genetics decide that you're going to get sick, there's little you can do to counteract it.