50 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com DNA AS A PATH TO BETTER HEALTH By Amy Gesell Many people don’t know anything about their parents’ health history. Since much of what health care providers know about us comes from intake forms that outline family health histories, it’s easy to miss something that could be the perfect path to preventive measures or behavior modifications. The Medical University of South Carolina, in conjunction with Helix, has launched a community research project titled “In Our DNA SC.” The goal of this program is to investigate how your genetics impact your health and to develop ways of offering personalized health care to patients. Cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia and BRCA1 and 2 are some of the better-known big-name issues encoded entirely in genes. But did you know that there are also genetic mutations that influence certain health risks? For example, it’s quite possible that your late afternoon hankering for Home Team BBQ isn’t entirely to blame for your If you’ve ever been stuck in a waiting room, pen hovering over a clipboard and a long list of questions, you may not always be aware of illnesses or conditions woven into the tapestry of a family’s genetic makeup.
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