Heredity plays a major role in many diseases
Along with the genes that determine how you look comes a different genetic legacy your health. In recent years, it’s becoming increasing important to know your family’s health history.
As the field of genetics evolves, scientists are discovering more about the role your genes have in your health.
Genes are molecular blueprints for your body. Located within the nucleus of each of your body’s 60 trillion cells, genes contain information that determines your physical characteristics, among other things. You inherited half of your genes from each of your parents.
Defects within a gene are at the root of many diseases and disorders. And like blue eyes or curly hair, such defects can be passed from generation to generation. Defects or damage in one or more genes can cause or contribute too many other conditions, including:
- Breast cancer
- Diabetes
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Colon cancer
- Asthma
- Melanoma
- Obesity
- Ovarian cancer
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
