Rotarians learn about the genetic way to good health
Dr. Gowhar Shafi
Gowhar Shafi has done his Doctorate in Genetics from the Institute of Genetics & Hospital for Genetic Diseases and Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Hyderabad.He completed his postdoctoral research in Computational Biology (Genomics) from Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden and was associated with them as a Research Scientist.
He has published more than 40 research papers in journals of international repute and has authored several books on Genomics. Dr. Shafi joined Positive Bioscience as Head of Bioinformatics/Genomics in June 2014.
Dr. Shafi began by showing Rotarians a video on the Human Genome Project. He said, “This movie was created in the late ’90s, much before the creation of the Human Genome Project. Today, we can predict what diet can better suit your personal needs and health. Studies have shown that it is both your unique genes and the environment you live in that affect your health, which can serve as the key to significantly preventing most ‘unpreventable’ diseases in the future. Genomic testing can facilitate this knowledge.
“Before delving into genome testing, let us understand how it works with the example of a couple that lives together and has a very healthy diet and lifestyle. Despite this, their cholesterol level may differ drastically, solely because of the difference between their genes. The slightest change in their DNAs makes a huge difference and it is important to understand that change so we know what we have to eat according to our genetic make-up. Genomics helps us understand the interaction of genes with one another as well as the physical environment around us. Today, Genomics can determine the best way you should drink coffee so that the caffeine can be good for your body. DNA-based dietary advice is always more helpful than generalised health recommendations.”