Yes, but ... * comment on Dr R.L. Zimmern's Genomics and individuals in public health practice: are we luddites or can we meet the challenge?

摘要

Why did an outbreak of the familiar Escherichia coli serotype O104 suddenly become so deadly? Is the recent upsurge in tuberculosis in the UK due to local strains or to latent infection acquired abroad? Where did the H1N1 strain of influenza virus come from in 2009? Plainly, communicable disease control in the 21st century is rooted in microbial genomics. Without such understanding our plans will be faulty and our control measures weak or irrelevant. Knowledge of genomics is fundamental to professional practice.