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Developers  Genomics and Disease  What's the Problem?   Most
human diseases result from the interaction between genetic
factors and modifiable environmental factors such as chemical
exposures, and behavioral factors like diet and lifestyle. The
field of genomics studies a person's complete set of genes—known
as the genome—and their functions, including interactions with
environmental and behavioral factors. (Genetics is the study of
single genes and their influence on human life and disease
progression.) Genomics can provide new insights into why some
people, but not others, get sick from certain infections,
environmental exposures, and behaviors. To date, many diseases
have been shown to have a key genetic component including:
cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis,
diabetes, schizophrenia, sickle cell anemia, Down syndrome and
alcoholism. As scientists learn more about the different genetic
variations that exist, the role that gen