A study published recently brought forward lots of information about genetic variations and diseases related with it. This research included genomes from about 2636 ice calendars which made this research the most informative one till date.
Understand clearly by DeCode Genets, an Icelandic biopharmaceutical company, the research team compared the fully sequenced genomes with more 100,000 less documented genotype data to identify the number of genetic variations that may occur in Iceland – about 20 million. Then they also cross-checked them with public healthcare records in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the genetic implications of diseases that are transmitted within families.
Above that, setting up such a large genetic database can prove beneficial when attempting a genome-wide association-study – or trailing the origin of a disease within a whole population’s genetic material.
Most important part is the vital understanding that such a study gives to the way genetic variation acts in either preventing or causing diseases. Observing the exact number of ways that a disease can evolve from different genetic backgrounds can significantly aid the process of treating it in its most abnormal manifestation types.
Team of Researchers also closely studied the implications and types of genetic errors, finding out that over 8.000 Icelanders had lost complete function of one or more genes. However, they were surprised to find that this wasn’t as grave as it sounds, as most of those non-functioning genes were related to non-vital abilities such as discerning smells.
So, Duke University geneticist Andrew Allen points out that the study, despite having an impressive scope, might be less relevant than it holds itself to be, due to some data being taken from past disease studies. He also points out that the unusual demographic history of Iceland – which never had more than a couple of hundred thousand citizens and was isolated throughout most of its history – might make it more difficult to transpose the genetic patterns onto other, larger populations.
