Don't count out the value of the human genome just yet

THERE IS absolutely no doubt about the human genome's value as a health tool, either today or for tomorrow (Page A1, April 21).

Genomics-based scientific advances over the past decade have increased our ability to diagnose disease earlier and tailor treatment to the exact genetic profile of the individual patient.

For example, the Food and Drug Administration has cleared a new genetic test that will help assess whether a patient may be especially sensitive to the drug warfarin, used to prevent potentially fatal clots. Warfarin is the second-most common drug implicated in emergency room visits for adverse drug events. Also, tests that read the DNA structure of the most common form of leukemia in children have helped boost the 10-year survival rate from 4 percent in the 1960s to more than 80 percent today. HIV tests that check the genetic code of an individual's virus and guide physicians have helped transform HIV from an almost certain death sentence. Much about the human genome is unclear. Please don't leave the impression the value of genomics-based medicine is in question.

ALAN MERTZ
Washington, D.C.
The writer is president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association.