Basics and Essentials of Human Genetics

Human genetics is a branch of biology that studies how human traits are determined and passed down among generations. Explore this exciting field to better understand how your genes help shape your traits and health. Study of the inheritance of characteristics/traits from one generation to another i.

e. from parents to children. This inheritance in humans does not differ in any fundamental way from that in other organisms.

Genetic disorders; often are described in terms of the chromosome that contains the gene that is changed in people who have the disorder. If the gene is on one of the autosomes (first 22 pairs of chromosomes), the genetic disorder is called an autosomal condition. If the gene is on the X chromosome, called an X-linked condition.

Human genetics research generates knowledge/data to improve individual and community healthThe research can also reveal information about individual susceptibility to genetic disease and hence about the individual's future health. It has been long known that drug toxicity and efficacy have a genetic component and hence such data are becoming increasingly important in drug development. It is very important in promoting health and preventing disease.