Download a copy of our personalized genomic medicine brochure
What is personalized genomic medicine (PGM)?
Personalized genomic medicine is a way to improve your health using your family history, medical history, genetic information, and lifestyle
The four Ps of personalized genomic medicine are:
- Personalized: risks are uniquely yours
- Predictive: predicts the chances of developing certain disorders
- Preventative: based on genetic test results and specific lifestyle behaviors, offers healthy solutions to decrease disease risk
- Participatory: requires your involvement
What is genetic information?
Information about your genome (your DNA), which includes:
- Family health history
- Diseases and risks of health problems that run in your family
- Family stories
What is a genetic test?
Genetic tests look at changes in your DNA that cause disease or put you at increased risk to develop disease.
What is the human genome?
- The human genome contains all of a person's genetic information
- It is made of DNA
- It is a series of 3 billion base pairs, the building blocks of DNA
- Base pairs consist of letters (A, C, G, T) that are the code to make 20,000 to 30,000 genes
- Genes are the instructions for our bodies
What can personalized genomic medicine do for me?
- It may help diagnose a disease you already have
- It may help your doctor decide which medicine and how much of that medicine will work best for you (pharmacogenomics)
- It may tell you if you are at risk to develop a disease in the future
What kind of diseases can personalized genomic medicine tell me about?
- Diseases that run in your family
- Rare diseases
- Common diseases such as diabetes, which are caused by both DNA changes and your environment
What can personalized genomic medicine not tell me?
- We do not fully understand all diseases at this time
- We do not fully understand all genes or all of their changes at this time
- It cannot tell you when you will develop disease
- It may or may not be able to tell you how severe the disease will be
Why haven't I heard of personalized genomic medicine until now?
- Scientists and doctors are using recent research discoveries to improve medical care
- Recently, new DNA tests make studying your DNA easier, faster, and cheaper than in the past
- The mission of the IIHG is to bring PGM to the state of Iowa
How do I learn more about personalized genomic medicine?
- You can talk to your doctor about PGM
- You can contact a genetic counselor
- Visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) online directory to find a genetic counselor