In order to understand the future of genetic testing, we should begin by examining where it began. This is a great indication of how science has taken us forward in leaps and bounds, giving rise to more and more advancements into our health and other factors affected by genetics.
The History of Genetic Testing
The most popular discovery in genetics took place in the 1950’s, but there were many occurrences in history that led up to that event. As early as the 1800’s, scientists were beginning to understand the basics of genetics. Gregor Mendel was the scientist who pioneered the “theory” of genetics and began looking into, and experimenting with, hereditary traits in plants.
The theory unfortunately died with him, but was luckily rediscovered by more scientists in 1915. Because of Mendel’s work, and dedication from the scientists who rediscovered it, by 1925 genetics as a theory was widely accepted by the scientific community.
It wasn’t until the early 1950s that the study of genetics opened the discovery and study of DNA itself. In 1962, Dr James Watson and Frances Crick discovered what we know today as the DNA helix, and wrote a famous paper about their findings.
Since then, DNA has been extensively researched, including remarkable moments in history where DNA was used as evidence in a court case for the very first time (1985), to the successful cloning of an adult sheep (1996).
Genetics Now
Now we use the study of genetics to determine multiple different factors in human being:
- It can be used to identify more than 25 genes that affect different parts of your immune system, allowing you to make changes to your medicine regimen and optimise your health
- It can be used to pinpoint what your body reacts to badly in terms of diet, allowing you to adjust your lifestyle and lose weight, while being full of energy and youthful for as long as possible
- It can tell you how to fix your athletic performance and what exercises will work best for your genetic profile, ensuring that you can work on your best self.
In the Future
Given the massive advances we have already seen in genetic testing, the future holds a lot of exciting potential. Genetic testing may soon allow us to diagnose the likelihood of contracting certain illnesses, predict dominant traits in children and much more.
For more information, and to get a home DNA test, contact us!
