Musings

Musings on genome medicine: the value of family history

Angus J Clarke

• Correspondence: Angus J Clarke clarkeaj@cardiff.ac.uk

Author Affiliations

Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK

Genome Medicine 2009, 1:75 doi:10.1186/gm75

Published: 3 August 2009

Abstract

Will the routine availability of genome sequence information on individuals render family history information obsolete? I argue that it will not, both because the taking of a family history has other uses for the health professional, and because genome sequence data on their own omit the effects of numerous factors important for modifying risks of disease. These include information derived from factors downstream of genetic variants and from upstream epigenetic effects. Further difficulties arise with uncertainties relating to gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, which may take decades to resolve if their resolution is even possible.