TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Preface A1 - Hogge, W. Allen A1 - Rajkovic, Aleksandar PY - 2015 T2 - Practical Genetics for the Ob-Gyn AB - Thirty years ago when the senior author entered the field of genetics, obstetrician-gynecologists had little need for genetic principles as part of their training or practice. However, in three short decades, genetics has become an integral part of all aspects of women's health care. Molecular techniques have replaced culturing for infectious dis-eases, and the diagnosis and management of cervical disease is based on molecular as-sessment of human papillomavirus typing. Prenatal diagnosis has expanded from testing for chromosomal abnormalities and a few biochemical disorders to direct gene mutation testing for a host of genetic conditions. Screening for genetic diseases can now be done directly on fetal DNA circulating in the maternal blood stream, and represents the first population-wide application of genomics to clinical care. What was once a specialty focused on rare diseases, affecting very few patients, is now the basis for understanding who is pre-disposed to disease, how an individual will respond to therapy, and what cancer treatment is best, based on tumor profiles. The field is changing so rapidly that even those with specialized training in genetics have difficulty keeping up with the newest findings that have implication for patient care. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - obgyn.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1115992714 ER -