As human beings, we are all unique in our own way both, in who we are and in terms of our genes. Science is a testament to the fact that each human is genetically different. These genetic differences are vast and make us who we are.
There are multiple studies that prove how our genes can have a significantly different reaction to a certain medication compared to another individual with a completely different set of genes.
24Genetics is a leading company in the genetic testing sector that enables individuals to obtain data on their genetic predisposition to different kinds of drugs.
What are Genes and how do they affect drugs?
Our genes are instructions written in our 24Genetics DNA Analysis to manufacture protein molecules inside of our body. Since not everyone has the same genes, one individual’s gene instruction may vary widely as compared to another. This is where the difference comes in.
When a certain medication is taken inside the body, it reacts with many different proteins. Scientists have conducted research on how particular proteins can have an effect on how the medication works on their bodies. This research is known as Pharmacogenomics.
What is Pharmacogenomics
Pharmacogenomics is known as the research related to studying how a person’s genes have an effect on their body’s response to different medications. This can help doctors select drugs that are suitable to each person relative to their gene code.
Genes and their different impacts on medication
An example of a protein that can chemically change a drug is the liver enzyme. Different variants of a gene can have an impact on how the liver enzyme might react with the drug, either making the drug less or more active. Thus, due to a difference in gene code, the effectiveness of medication varies greatly.
These differences in the effectiveness of medications are also one of the reasons some people may require higher or lower dosages of the same medication in order to obtain the same effect.
According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, an enzyme known as the CYP2D6 has an effect on about one-fourth of all prescription drugs. It metabolizes medications, meaning that it chemically alters them. This enzyme also converts a painkiller known as codeine into morphine.
Moreover, according to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, there a more than 160 known versions of this gene although they may only vary by very minute and singular differences some do have much larger chemical alterations in the drug. While some individuals may have two copies of this gene (which is considered the common amount of this gene) some people have hundreds and thousands of these copies.
A large number of this enzyme thus means that when an individual may take the prescribed drug codeine into their body, the extra copies might process the drug very fast converting codeine into morphine that a standard does can easily become an overdose.
The 24Genetics Pharmacogenetic Test
With 24Genetics, individuals can easily be able o identify their genetic predispositions to different kinds of medications with the help of a simple test.
The 24Genetics health test will help in identifying and detailing a number of diseases with the appropriate information on which drug will be compatible to treat the disease according to your genetic information.
With the test, by analysing your genetic information, individuals can obtain the information that they require to make well informed and important decisions about their health and well-being accurately and effectively.
Additionally, with the test, individuals can get their reports divides into 7 categories ranging from ancestry, health, nutrigenetics, pharmacogenetics to even skincare, sports and even talent and personality.
