Author Description

Having Trained In Both The Academic And Clinical Aspects Of Medicine In Addition To The Scientific Aspects Of Genetics, The Authors Are Aware Of The Significant Gaps That Exist In Genetics Teaching. This Results In: A. Clinicians Being Devoid Of A Strong Understanding Of The Fundamentals Of Genetics And Its Relevance And Applicability To Their Day-to-day Practice; B. Scientists Lacking Sound Training In The Clinical Applicability Of Their Work, Resulting In A Challenge In Seeing Use Of Genetics In The Medical Field. Current Textbooks Do Not Suitably Fill This Void, As They Place Too Great An Emphasis On Either The Medical Or The Scientific Aspects Of Genetics; While A Basic Understanding Of Southern Blotting Is Of Course Of Importance To Both Clinicians And Academics, It Has Limited Benefit When Faced With A Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy And The Need To Answer Questions About The Clinical Management And Implications For The Patient And Their Family. Secondly, The Truth Is That Most Students And Trainees Find Genetics A Complex Subject As It Has Historically Been Taught Using Uninspiring And Dry Texts. This Does Not Need To Be The Case! Genetics Is A Fascinating And Rapidly Evolving Field, With Growing Implications For Clinicians In All Specialities. With Significant Public And Media Interest In Genetic Screening? For Example Through The Recently Highly Publicised Case Of Angelia Jolie And Brca Screening, Or Through Increasing Numbers Of Firms Offering?genetic Profiling? Services Directly To Patients? Clinicians Cannot Afford To Be Ignorant To An Often Overlooked Aspect Of Many Of The Conditions That They Manage In Their Day-to-day Practice. From The Academic Perspective, Scientists Need To Be Able To Understand The Clinical Implications Of Their Work, In Order To Have More Effective Conversations With Those Who Translate Their Work Into Clinical Practice. This Requires A Firm Understanding Of The Presentation And Management Of The Conditions That They