About two decades ago, scientists began the Human Genome Project with a view to determining the entire sequence of human DNA, our genetic blueprint. The turn of the century marked its completion and
the beginning of an exciting new era in human health.

It was found that the entire human genetic blueprint comprises just over three billion nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, that are now thought to include about 25-30,000 genes.

Each gene can produce one or more different bio-active molecules. What each bio-active molecule does and how some of them cause disease, promote health or afford disease protection is known in only a
fraction of them right now. It is likely to take many years before the function
of all of them is discovered. After that, it will take at least another decade
or so before new discoveries can be used to develop new cures and help us to
become healthier and protected against disease using classical pharmacological
approaches.

In the past, many human genetic studies have concentrated on identifying genes and mechanisms that cause disease. It has been found that ill-health may be caused by genes that synthesize either the
normal amount of an inferior bio-active molecule that does not work properly or
alternatively, genes that produce less than the amount of a normal bio-active
molecule that is required to maintain a healthy state. The latter mechanism is
often due to a reduction in gene activity or gene expression. In these cases,
the pharmaceutical industry is aiming to develop new drugs that will bond
chemically with DNA and increase gene expression unnaturally.

In more recent time, especially following completion of the Human Genome Project, new genes have been discovered that play a vital role in maintaining mind and body health as well as protecting
against and correcting ill-health. Furthermore, scientists are now beginning to
discover that hybrid vigour, nature’s “super-health”, plays a very important
role in maximizing our mind and body health and well-being. Homeovitality has
been developed to take advantage of all these important discoveries.

(By: Dr P H Kay)