My Family Essay

When I was given this ancestry project I automatically knew I wanted to figure out my family genetics and why I got cancer in the first place. I am the only child out of four in my family to get cancer. After digging into some history I found out that my mom, grandma, and uncle had cancer. It's weird how genetics work but I was basically doomed from the beginning. My grandma had breast cancer and had both her breasts removed. My uncle had stage four lung cancer and passed away shortly after diagnosis. And my mom had thyroid cancer only a few years ago and is a survivor. Since there is history of breast cancer in my family I had to get tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene, which is a mutated gene that is inherited from your family. This gene increases your risk of developing breast cancer to 50%, a one in two

Genetics is a field of science that has long been studied, but researchers and scientists have discovered a new branch that changes the way genetics and evolution has been looked at before. Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi skillfully describe this new subject in their book Super Genes. The book includes information on the history and discoveries of epigenetics, the changes the readers can make to unlock and harness the power of their genes, and the research and experiments that prove the benefits of those changes. Ultimately, the purpose of Super Genes is to inform the readers that they can control their own genes, despite preceding understandings of biological destinies, by making favorable lifestyle choices that leans towards the state of optimum health and well being.

HC1: Personalized medicine is a relatively new practice that involves using a person’s genetics to make medical decisions about which direction to take in terms of disease prevention, treatment, and diagnosis (“Personalized medicine,” 2015). The practice of personalized medicine allows doctors to predict which diseases a certain individual may be susceptible to so that proper treatment less likely to harm the patient can be ensued. This could potentially be an incredible breakthrough in the field of science and medicine (“What is personalized”, n.d.).

Individuals that know and understand their family’s health history are more prepared to change, adjust, and plan strategies that reduce their risk of developing and susceptibility to genetic diseases and other health ailments. I will reflect on the history, health problems, and risks of genetic diseases present for each family member throughout three generations. Advancements in genetic scientific research may predict an individual’s susceptibility to diseases and health ailments and may encourage behavioral changes to reduce this risk (Collins, Ryan, & Truby, 2014, p. 480). Questions, interventions, answers, and strategies will be presented throughout this paper to ensure a better understanding of health risks and ailments prevalent in

Dr. Johanna Watson, renowned geneticist from the Mayo Clinic, stopped by our offices recently to explain the importance of getting regular physical check-ups and knowing one’s family’s medical history. In our interview with Dr. Watson, she explained that all of the questions your doctor asks are for a reason. She gave us a checklist of what you should know going into a physical exam and what questions you should ask your healthcare provider. Dr. Watson also shared her latest article, “Too Much [Information] Is Not Enough,” to explain why we should build our own family genetic profile in order to understand our own physiology.

The sequencing of the human genome has a new approach to health care in regards to promotion, maintenance, and treatment. Genetic research is defined as a new approach to a better understanding of the genetic components of common diseases: Cancer, diabetes, stroke, and creating new gene-based technologies for screening, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of both rare and common diseases. Nurses are a main aspect within the first line of care, and therefore will contribute fully in genetic-based and genomic-based practice activities such as collecting family history, obtaining informed consent for genetic testing, and administering gene-based therapies. Lea, D, (January 31, 2008). My paper is based on an article Genomics in the public

My genetics have affected me in many important ways. Everyone has their own genetics and have inherited genes from their parents. Genetics are very important, they help define us. They can practically alter our whole appearance/actions if one more was given, or one less. Genes are to define who you are, such as eye color, (natural) hair color, etc.

Science has proven that various factors such as stress and health can influence future generations. There are several aspects of genes that are affected by choices you make. One such aspect is methyl groups. Methyl groups are tags that attach onto genes and tell the body whether to express or not express that gene. They are like switches that turn on or off a genetic trait. Lifestyle choices, for example, high stress or illness can cause these methyl groups to be misplaced on the gene. For example, it can cause a methyl group to accidentally attach to a gene that controls cell growth regulation, hence disrupt cell growth and cause cancer. Another way the choices you make today affect your child is through histones. Histones are what the DNA wraps around to make a chromosome. The more tightly the DNA is wrapped around the histone, the less the genes in that area will be expressed. For example, if you eat a lot and do not exercise, the histones near the gene for food cravings and inactivity may loosen up and heavily express the trait. Histones are like the dimmers on the light switches that change how bright or dim the light is. While most of these epigenomes are removed when a new child is born, those that get passed on are significant

The PBS video called “Epigenetics” brought to light some very interesting views. Through rats scientist have been able to see the works of epigenetics and believe that the finding have led to the idea that the change in genetics has the same effect on humans. The most interesting part of the video was that younger pairs of twins have very similar genes, but the older pairs of twin have more epigenetic difference in their genes. This validates the idea that the epigenetic difference in old twins is caused by environmental factors such as lifestyle choices. The idea also alludes to the idea that our parents and grandparents healthy and epigenetics may affect my heath and my children’s health. This leads to the inclination that my child’s health

But I can definitely speak on how heritability and genes are thought of in my family for generations. If there is a specific trait that runs in your family, you may or may not get it, but if you don't, chances are its because it skipped a generation and one of your kids might get it. My mom has lupus, she worries so much about me having it, every time I get sick, she thinks that's what it is. “People are more susceptible to developing lupus if they have immediate relatives with the disease, but that doesn’t mean they will. Lots of family members may have abnormal antibody levels and never get sick.

Growing up in an agricultural environment, alongside a small community with a supportive family, I matured into a confident, determined individual with strong family values.

A roadmap to our future is predetermined by our genetical makeup. However, can external influences such as environment and lifestyle unlock who we are? The study to understand heritable changes in genetical expression is called Epigenetics. Héctor González-Pardo and Marino Pérez Álvarez(2013) describes Epigenetics as the examination of the heritable complex genetical alterations that are shaped by environmental factors which don’t cause changes to the DNA Sequence. In other words, different cell/organism must use the same script in different ways. The study of epigenetics explores the idea that DNA is a script and not a manual. Accordingly, we can positively influence our lives as well as the lives of our offspring by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Americans today are faced with a number of health issues, mainly as a result of poor diet, lack of exercise, and lifestyle choices; but, of course, genetics does play a part. My family, for example, has a history of several issues. My father suffers from diabetes and asthma, which my children have as well. My older sister and I both suffer from stress, which is most likely causing our chronic heartburn and my headaches; and, both my husband and I are borderline obese, which is a gateway disease to many others. While some of these issues are linked genetically, many of them are due to lifestyle, which can be viewed as both negative and positive. Negative because we brought these ailments onto ourselves, but positive because we can

Genetics play a part in the development of a person, some genetics cause conditions such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, Huntingdon’s, etc however some people are considered more at risk because of their genes to things like cancer, diabetes, heart disease etc these are not only influenced by genes but by the persons environment.

No one can’t meet a family like mine’s. My family is well diversified. Every family member plays an important role in all my family’s lives. In my family, there are four people: my father, my mother, my little brother and me. My father is one who brings money home and is also responsible for organizing and planning family trips. My mother is the one who is in charge for making meals and makes sure everyone eats at the appropriate times. My little brother is the pet of the family. He actually doesn’t have any responsibilities, for he’s the pet. I am the rock of support in my family. I always go beyond my parents’ expectations. I also support my younger cousins and little brother, by being a role model that they can look up to. Another