How are Genetics and the Environment Interrelated in Genetic Metabolic Diseases?
Genetic metabolic diseases (GMDs) are a group of complex conditions that are caused by changes in the genes that code for enzymes and other proteins. These diseases can affect any part of the body, but they are most often associated with problems with the liver, pancreas, and muscles. The causes of GMDs are still unknown, but scientists believe that both genetics and the environment play a role in these diseases.
In general, GMD risk is increased if a person has a family member who has one of these diseases. However, even people who have no family history of GMDs can develop these conditions if they are exposed to certain factors, such as diet or environmental pollutants.
Scientists have long been interested in how genetics and the environment interact in GMDs. One of the most important questions is why some people with GMD risk factors develop these diseases while others do not. It is now clear that there are many factors involved in the development of these diseases, and it is not only Genetics that matters.