TheNational has an interesting article by Amanda Hamilton about genealogists who can spot inherited health problems within families. Quoting from the article:
Compiling a family tree can offer more benefits than discovering stories of war heroes or family dramas – science and preventive medicine are getting a look in, too.
In this regard, the skeleton in the cupboard would be a genetic predisposition towards disease that, once uncovered, might provide potentially life-saving indicators.
The first step for most people is to draw up their medical family tree. A family medical history helps document familial patterns that might have an impact on your health, such as trends towards specific types of cancer, early heart disease or even something simple such as skin problems.
Compiling a family medical history can help you and your doctor to discuss which medical tests to undergo or early-screening groups to join, or even to help with diagnosis of a rare condition.
You can read more at http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091221/LIFE/712209984/1085.
