The Genome Odyssey: Medical Mysteries and the Incredible Quest to Solve Them

Over the past decade, the field of genomics has revolutionized the practice of medicine, and the treatment of genetic diseases in particular. Sequencing part or all of a patient’s genome can give doctors the ability to pinpoint the causes of disease and offer targeted, personalized treatments. Ashley has been on the front lines of this revolution at his clinic for genetic cardiac diseases at Stanford. Here, he provides an overview of the rapid changes in technology that have made genomic advances possible, and introduces readers to some of the major players in the collaborative effort by scientists and doctors around the world to investigate genetic disease. The author also addresses some of the main ethical, psychological, and financial repercussions of genomic medicine and is refreshingly willing to admit that doctors don’t have all the answers yet. While Ashley highlights several emotional and moving stories of patients, the title’s primary focus is on the scientific aspect of genetic medical treatment. Readers seeking up-to-date information on genomic science and technology will be richly rewarded.