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Exploring Medicine through History and The Importance of Genomics in Modern Medicine

9 Jul 2024

Reflections from FOG2024 and a Visit to the USS Constitution Ship

During my recent visit to the Festival of Genomics and Biodata (FOG2024) in Boston, I had the opportunity to tour the USS Constitution also known as Old Ironsides.

Reflections from FOG2024 and a Visit to the USS Constitution Ship

During my recent visit to the Festival of Genomics and Biodata (FOG2024) in Boston, I had the opportunity to tour the USS Constitution also known as Old Ironsides. This visit reminded me of the long history of medicine since 1812, a time when medical treatments often did as much harm as good.



Life aboard was a testament to both resilience and challenge. A quote from The USS Constitution Ship illustrates this:

Sickbay

"Constitution’s crew are a healthy lot. Few catch infectious diseases that on other ships are more deadly than enemy cannon. And if a sailor does fall ill, he is soon treated. In the sickbay, surgeon Amos Evans and his assistants usually care for a dozen or more patients. Rest, cleanliness, and a better diet cure most of them, but the medical treatment they get is little help. Lacking modern drugs and medical knowledge, the surgeon’s prescriptions harm patients as often as healing them." *

Ref *: https://asailorslifeforme.org/educate/annotated-scenes/sickbay/


Back in the nineteenth century, medical practice revolved around the imbalance of bodily fluids such as blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile; This imbalance was believed to cause illness, and treatments aimed to restore this balance.



The Importance of Genomics in Modern Medicine

Today, the field of genomics offers a revolutionary approach to addressing the limitations and dangers of traditional medicine. By analyzing an individual's genetic makeup, we can better understand their susceptibility to certain diseases and their likely response to various medications. This personalized approach that MyEngene offers helps in predicting drug reactions and tailoring treatments to ensure safety and efficacy while minimizing potential harm. By understanding our genetic makeup, we can mitigate risks associated with prescriptions.



Embracing the power of genomics, we can look forward to a future where medical treatments are not only more effective but also safer, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a higher standard of healthcare.


Trent Marx

Chairman & CEO






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