Population genetics and human health in the genomic era

Abstract

Population genetic data collected from variable regions in human genome have been extensively used for studying human origins and migration patterns, estimating the probative value of DNA evidence and in disease association studies. Here, we illustrate the value of population genetic data in the genomic era with an emphasis on their role in health science and practice. This commentary is intended to show the value of an ethnicity-based approach to medicine and the role of genetics via accumulated population genetic data as its rational support basis. For this specific reason, we feel that new genome-based knowledge and resources need to be disseminated urgently to health professionals, researchers, policy makers and the public, so that it may be fully integrated into health-related policy and decision making. Ideally, all population genetic databases should be freely accessible, but this creates several technical issues which need to be properly considered. Those highlighted here include such as factors sample size, marker type, population descriptions and genotyping coverage.