Skip to main content

Application of Genetic and Genomic Tests in the Developing World

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Genomics Applications for the Developing World

Part of the book series: Advances in Microbial Ecology ((AMIE))

  • 1033 Accesses

Abstract

The contrast between applications of genetic testing in the developed and developing worlds is startling. In the United States, people pay to have their DNA tested for such trivial traits as earwax consistency and odor sensitivities, as well as phenotypes easily evaluated with a glance in the mirror, such as hair color, curl, and thickness; eye color; and freckles. In the developing world, testing for most single-gene disorders, let alone for trivial traits, takes a backseat to dealing with infectious diseases, with their high prevalence, morbidity and mortality, and the rapid pace of the pathology compared to that of the inherited diseases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Chakravarti A (2009) Tracing India’s invisible threads. Nature 461:487–488

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy B-J, Seguin B, Ramesar R, Singer PA, Daar AS (2008) South Africa: from species cradle to genomic applications. Nat Rev Genet 9(Supplement):S19–S23

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matimba A et al (2008) Establishment of a biobank and pharmacogenetics database of African populations. Eur J Hum Genet 16:780–785

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Modell B, Darlison M (2008) Global epidemiology of haemoglobin disorders and derived service indicators. Bull World Health Organ 86:480–487

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reich D, Thangaraj K, Patterson N, Price AL, Singh L (2009) Reconstructing Indian population history. Nature 461:489–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seguin B, Hardy B-J, Singer PA, Daar AS (2008a) Universal health care, genomic medicine and Thailand: investing in today and tomorrow. Nat Rev Genet 9(Supplement):S15–S18

    Google Scholar 

  • Seguin B, Hardy B-J, Singer PA, Daar AS (2008b) Genomics, public health and developing countries: the case of the Mexican National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN). Nat Rev Genet 9(Supplement):S5–S9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shishkin S, Vlassov V (2009) Russia’s long struggle to come in from the cold. Br Med J 339:141–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva-Zolezzi I et al (2009) Analysis of genomic diversity in Mexican Mestizo populations to develop genomic medicine in Mexico. Proc Natl Acad Sci 106(21):8611–8616

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Udomratn P (2009) Prevalence of tsunami-related PTSD and MDD in Thailand. Asian J Psychiatry 2(4):124–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weatherall D (2010) Thalassemia: the long road from the bedside through the laboratory to the community. Nat Med 16(10):1112–1115

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ricki Lewis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lewis, R. (2012). Application of Genetic and Genomic Tests in the Developing World. In: Nelson, K., Jones-Nelson, B. (eds) Genomics Applications for the Developing World. Advances in Microbial Ecology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2182-5_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics