The trend toward predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine is introduced by Golubnitschaja (radiology, University of Bonn, Germany) as including population screening utilizing novel diagnostic markers and targeted diagnostic prevention of common disorders, and as potentially reducing the cost of healthcare. International contributors to 30 illustrated chapters discuss applications of genome and proteome maps, DNA-damage analysis, nanotechnology-based and other advanced molecular technologies for diagnosing predisposition toward disorders including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders; and their implications for extending the life of individuals by early treatment. They also provide examples comparing the key role of information technology in current standard and emerging laboratory diagnostics. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Should molecular diagnostic approaches be considered complementary or substitutive measures to conventional approaches? How reliable are biomarkers for any given pathology? How to distinguish between predictive power of innovation and quackery in diagnostics? This book addresses these issues and provides some clues for plausible solutions.
