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An intriguing new exhibit has been unveiled at The Outernet’s Now Trending building in London, designed to showcase the influence of DNA and genomes on human health. The engaging display features a scrolling sequence of 3.2 billion characters, symbolizing the entirety of our genetic code.
This captivating visual experience is meant to let people ‘immerse themselves within their own biology.’ This initiative follows findings that show 67 per cent of the UK population do not understand what a genome is and lack essential knowledge regarding personal health, including not knowing their own weight or height. Furthermore, fewer than half are familiar with their typical blood pressure levels or could identify their blood type.
The installation and accompanying research were commissioned by Bupa to support the introduction of its Medication Check, the newest offering in its expanding suite of DNA Health Tests.
The test aims to reveal how our unique DNA influences our reactions to various medications, with the goal of reducing trial and error in drug prescriptions, decreasing side effects, and assisting faster recovery.
Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO of Bupa Global, India & UK, stated: “Our genetic blueprint affects everything from disease susceptibility to medication response, and it’s crucial for enhancing our well-being over time, yet it remains difficult to comprehend since it’s not visible.
“Our installation brings the invisible to light. Our DNA is uniquely ours, necessitating a customized approach to healthcare. This is the future we are moving towards in healthcare.”
“We want to empower people with the information to make healthy choices and seek help early, rather than burying their heads in the sand.”
The installation follows a pilot scheme by Bupa, which saw 2,200 adults undergo whole genome sequencing to analyse how their individual DNA responds to common medicines.
A shocking 99 per cent displayed a genetic variant that affects their sensitivity to certain medicines, meaning some over the counter painkillers, antibiotics and other prescription medications would either have reduced effectiveness or wouldn’t work at all.
The pilot also examined the genetic risk of developing 36 preventable diseases, including cancers, heart conditions and type 2 diabetes. It discovered that 91 per cent of participants were at risk of developing a disease with genetic and lifestyle risk factors, such as fatty liver disease, breast cancer and certain heart diseases.
Meanwhile, 73 per cent had multiple genetic variants that put them at increased risk of developing a condition that could be prevented or detected early leading to better health outcomes, including high cholesterol, skin cancer and type 2 diabetes.
And 49 per cent were found to be carriers of a genetic variant that could lead to an increased risk of certain conditions in future generations.
Despite this, separate research involving 2,000 adults revealed that 37 per cent confessed to ignoring their health, with many claiming ‘ignorance is bliss’.
Nearly half have never discussed with family members about conditions they could be at higher risk of, or even their history of illnesses. While 26 per cent of. According to a survey conducted by OnePoll, many Brits have also been avoiding routine health screenings.
The most common reason for neglecting their health, cited by 39 per cent of respondents, is the fear of what they might discover, while 28 per cent find it too overwhelming to contemplate.
Alarmingly, 35 per cent of those who confessed to ignoring their health admitted that this had resulted in conditions going unnoticed or undiagnosed for longer than necessary.
Dr Rebecca Rohrer, clinical innovation and genomics director for Bupa, said: “While it can seem like ill-health might be an unavoidable part of life, this is often not the case.
“Learning more about our DNA is key to early detection and even preventing some illnesses altogether.
Our future health can seem like something we don’t need to think about now – but understanding how our body responds to medicine, as well as any family history of cancer, diabetes and other genetic diseases can help us take early action.”
