Nature and nurture both determine how likely you are to develop a particular disease. So, I was at the doctor’s office, and she drops a bombshell on me: “Genetics don’t really matter for chronic disease.” Huh? She goes on to say that what you eat, how much you exercise, and your overall lifestyle are the real factors that determine if you’ll get heart disease. As someone who studies disease genetics, I can see where she’s coming from, but I’m not entirely sold. There’s more to the story than just how many salads you eat.
The Human Genome Project back in 2003 shed some light on the genetic side of disease risk. Turns out, genetics play a significant role in determining whether you’ll end up with a disease or not. For diseases like Type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia, mutations across the genome can increase your risk. Unlike diseases caused by one rogue gene, chronic diseases are more complex. They’re influenced by mutations at multiple genes throughout your entire genetic blueprint.
But hold up, it’s not just your genes calling the shots. Environmental factors also have a say in your disease risk. Researchers have been trying to untangle the web of genetic and environmental influences on diseases, but it’s no walk in the park. However, a recent study by my colleague Alkes Price and me aims to crack the code using new datasets to see how genes and the environment team up to affect disease biology.
Let’s break it down a bit. Say you’re taking aspirin to lower your risk of colon cancer. Turns out, your genetics can influence how well the aspirin works for you. Researchers found that people with a specific genetic mutation processed aspirin differently, affecting their colon cancer risk. This shows how genes and environmental factors, like medication use, can interact to determine your disease risk. Pretty fascinating, right? Or maybe it’s just me.
When it comes to complex diseases like colon cancer, it’s not just one gene pulling the strings. Instead, it’s a whole orchestra of genetic variations across your genome that can tip the scales. To uncover these subtle interactions, researchers like us are digging through vast databases like the UK Biobank to see how different genes play nice with environmental factors like air pollution or diet habits. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but with millions of genetic variants instead.
In our study, we found three types of gene-environment interactions that shed light on how your genes and lifestyle choices can team up to influence your health. From how smoking affects your white blood cell levels to how your activity level can change the role of genetics in your body mass index, it’s clear that your genes and your environment are in cahoots when it comes to your health. And hey, even your biological sex can join the party, influencing how genes interact with your body.
By understanding these gene-environment interactions, researchers hope to pave the way for more personalized treatments based on your unique genetic makeup. Imagine a world where your doctor can tailor your treatment plan to your genes, helping you prevent diseases like heart disease more effectively. It’s a step towards a future where healthcare is truly personalized to YOU.
So, the next time you’re wondering if your genes or your lifestyle choices are to blame for your health, remember that it’s a little bit of both. Your genes may load the gun, but your environment pulls the trigger. It’s a delicate dance between nature and nurture, shaping your health in ways we’re only beginning to understand. But hey, that’s the beauty of science — always uncovering new mysteries to solve.
