Introduction
Deoxyribonucleic acid commonly referred to as DNA is a heredity carrier in living organisms containing genetic information on growth and development. This information and instructions determine the traits of an organism and are usually transferrable from parents to offspring through different forms of reproduction. Unlike Ribonucleic acid, DNA assumes a double-helix fabric with two intertwining polypeptide strands within which the genetic information is encoded. From a scientific point of view, genes have significant dominance and control over the character of an organism.
In humans, basic traits such as the complexity of the skin are determined by chromosomes that are contained in genes. The latter act as information storage servers and producers of functional molecules and proteins (Bolouri, 2008). These special proteins are responsible for the development of different traits such as height and hair color in plants and humans respectively. A breakdown of the different components of genomic stores, benefits and limitations associated with their use, and thought processes that trigger the need to access personal genomics form the basis of discussion for this paper.
Components of Stored DNA Data and Processes Involved in Its Collection
Essentially, DNA data stores such as promethease comprise individuals’ data reports compiled through linking DNA serological files. The platform automatically creates charts that inform the user about the extent of favorable and unfavorable in their DNA results. These reports are usually collected through a DNA sequencing process whereby individual data is analyzed on sites such as 23andMe and Ancestry. Similarly, platforms such as Dante Labs are used in the assessment of submitted before the information can be imported to the main platform, promethease. Data on genetic aspects such as variations and mutations are evaluated against hereditary aspects such as family history and updated on regular basis to capture new trends (Rehm, 2017). The platform compares users’ inputs against a wide genetic data warehouse in SNPedia before converting it into a report. The section below highlights some of the benefits and social implications of genomic data stores.
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Social Implications of Easy, Rapid, and Affordable Access to Genomic Data
One of the major benefits associated with promethease is that it houses digital data on genetics hence acting as a crucial platform for exploring and understanding individuals’ genotypic variations. Secondly, it provides an easier and cheaper source of research information that can be used in hereditary studies. The elaborate literature and data on different genetic information and defects associated with different phenotypic orientations are easily accessible. Thirdly, the unique arrangement of data based on specific parameters makes the platform easier to navigate. The section for Frequently Asked Questions and top searches facilitate access to vital information that might be needed urgently. The concept of affordability is significant when comparing the costs associated with hiring professional DNA researchers.
On the other hand, there are several disadvantages attributed to this easy access. One of them is that the unrestricted access to hereditary information may sometimes be misunderstood. Individuals can interpret DNA information wrongly thus leading to wrong inferences and conclusions being drawn. Similarly, the information contained therein may portray different levels of research rigor leading to biasness and false interpretation of data (Yngvadottir, MacArthur and Jin, 2009). Although the information is readily accessible with a simple click, the large chunks of data on the platform may not be easily understood. The forecited pros and cons represent the social implications, in terms of benefits and risks, associated with the use of promethease. The segment that follows highlights the concept of genotypic privacy and some of measures that can be adopted to curb potential data infringement.
Genotypic Privacy in the Use of Genetic Databases Such as Promethease
Restriction on access to an individual’s private genomic data is a significant issue in this context. In that regard the need for enciphering and coding the homomorphism in genetic information is necessary. Whereas different individuals can use platforms such as Ancestry.com to assess their genomic characteristics, there is a need for the formulation of privacy policies and updating the pre-existing ones. It is possible for the large volumes of data to overload storage servers creating potential gaps for breaches by third parties. The adoption of cloud-based algorithms can be used to amplify measures taken by platform owners to enhance the safety of stored data. Similarly, the unauthorized access to confidential genomic information can be curbed by adopting a cloud-based service that detects infringement of genetic databases in SNPedia and Promethease servers. The section below discusses the processes that can initiate the need for personal genomic awareness among individuals.
Thought Processes that Trigger the Need to Access Personal Genomics and the Implications of the Results
In most cases, parents usually initiate the testing for several disorders and genetic deficiencies such as Thalassemia, Down’s syndrome, and Tay-Sachs disease. For our family, my father did research on DNA and its related forms of mutations and asked me to visit the school’s geneticist. My father’s suggestion was based on several previous occurrences of sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis in his lineage. The latter was responsible for the death of my grandfather who suffered complications in his lungs and digestive system.
My genome was then analyzed to identify any traits of a rare genetic disorder. Fortunately, both the chromosomal and gene expression tests indicated no traces of any gene mutation in my blood sample. These results encouraged my mother to do the same test as she was expecting a baby soon. She passed both the cytogenetic and molecular tests and was advised to report back for the biochemical testing after two weeks. Therefore, it is evident that my results necessitated my mother to know her genetic status, which was helpful in will help predict the condition of the unborn child.
Conclusion
The concept of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) can be studied to determine the traits of organisms since they are usually passed from parents to offspring. Platforms such as promethease and ancestry.com compile DNA data and allow users to understand their genotypic orientations. Similarly, the need to observe genotypic privacy alongside measures that can be used to prevent the decryption of genetic data servers has been elaborated. Parents are usually concerned about the genotypic orientations of their children because some genetic disorders and variations such as Down’s syndrome are hereditary. This analysis can be used by medical students to understand the benefits and social implications of easy, rapid, and affordable access to genomic data as offered in the forecited platforms.
References
Bolouri H. (2008). Computational challenges of personal genomics. Current genomics, 9(2), 80–87. Web.
Rehm, H. (2017). Evolving health care through personal genomics. Nat Rev Genet 18(4), 259–267. Web.
Yngvadottir, B., MacArthur, D.G., Jin, H. (2009). The promise and reality of personal genomics. Genome Biol 10(3), 237-239. Web.