SALT LAKE CITY — Genetics play a key role in the treatment of disease, and the more doctors know about a person’s genes can help them determine the best path to better health.
“Our bodies don’t all respond the same to different medications or different treatments and a piece of that is because of our genetic makeup,” said Louisa Stark, a professor of human genetics and director of the Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah.
The center, which hosts one of the most-used science-related websites, was recently awarded a major grant to assist with the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us research program. Stark said her team will work with community representatives to develop educational materials for the public and educate them about the role genetics can play in medicine.