“Euphenics” means the improvement of the phenotype by biological means.
Euphenics involves the incorporation of the advances in
• Molecular biology,
• Immunology, neurophysiology, and
• Other rapidly growing biological fields
Into medical practice for management of genetic diseases and their prevention
Euphenics has been advocated as “a corrective measure for our genetic ills.”
Examples of Euphenics:
1. New-born screening programs to identify and treat new-borns for conditions where early diagnosis and treatment benefit the new-born e.g.
• Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by deficient activity of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase can lead to mental retardation
• In order to prevent neurological damage, lifelong adherence to a low-phenyl alanine diet (PKU diet) is required.
• If the new born with PKU is identified at birth itself, the PKU diet can be started soon after thereby ensuring normal growth and development
2. Reproductive information and counselling
3. Studies with mentally retarded (mild) children indicated that exposure to environmental stimulation improved their IQ
References:
• Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 23rd ed.
• Erin L. M, Denise M. N, 2010. Nutritional Management of Phenylketonuria: Ann Nestlé [Engl] 2010;68:58–69
• WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2003. Review of Ethical Issues in Medical Genetics: Human Genetics Programme, Management of Non-communicable Diseases; Geneva: WHO/HGN/ETH/00.4
Eugenics: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/eugenics
Negative Eugenics and Positive Eugenics: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/eugenics
Euphenics: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/euphenics
Euthenics: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/euthenics
Genetic Counselling: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/genetic-counselling
Neonatal Screening: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/neonatal-screening
Prenatal Diagnosis: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/prenatal-diagnosis
Gene therapy: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/gene-therapy
Erythroblastosis Foetalis: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/erythroblastosis-foetalis
Role of Genetic Predisposition in Common Disorders: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/role-genetic-predisposition-common-disorders
Difference between ‘Eugenics’ and ‘Genetic Counselling’: http://www.ihatepsm.com/blog/difference-between-%E2%80%98eugenics%E2%80%...
FAQs in Genetics and Health (lecture): http://www.ihatepsm.com/category/genetics-and-health