Your Genes, Your Health

New advances in genetics have dramatically expanded our ability to avoid, prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of disorders. Now, more than ever, families need to know about these new discoveries, especially as there are some 7,000 rare genetic diseases that afflict about 1 in 12 of us. In Your Genes, Your Health, Aubrey Milunsky provides an invaluable and authoritative guide to what you should know about your genes. Illustrated with poignant familyhistories that underscore the lifesaving importance of knowing one's family medical history and ethnic origin, the book highlights the importance of recognizing seemingly unrelated disorders in a family as due to the same gene mutation and it outlines the key genetic tests needed for diagnosis, detection ofcarriers, and prenatal diagnosis. Many genetic disorders are discussed including cancer, heart disease, autism, mental illness, birth defects, neurologic disorders, diabetes, obesity and much more. The message of this book is clear—know your family history, be cognizant of your ethnic origins, seek appropriate consultations, and opt for meaningful genetic tests. Recognition of your risk(s) enables prompt preemptive action. By knowing your genes, you may save your life and the lives ofthose you love.

"This book is extremely well done. The author's ability to provide unbiased information to the general public is unique and there are very few comparable books. It is an excellent tool not only for genetic counseling, but also to raise awareness of the importance of human genetics in our daily lives." -- Doody's Book Review"A professor and doctor of pediatrics, genetics, and internal medicine, Milunsky...provides a thorough manual invaluable to the layperson trying to determine if a condition is inheritable and how to prevent its passing to future generations. In language that clearly and concisely communicates details of medical treatments and genetics, the reader is instructed in the biology of genetic traits, how mutations are diagnosed, and how to assemble a family health history." -- Publishers Weekly"Dr. Milunsky has provided us the extraordinary gift of a health literate translation of the complex and evolving science of genetics and how this understanding is a critical component of our pursuit of optimal health. This book should be required reading for all professionals and families." --Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States"Dr. Milunsky's book is a welcome guide for individuals, families, and health professionals trying to navigate through the vast and ever-growing body of genetic information available today. I recommend this book for all. It should help us to improve the health literacy of our populations." --Louis W. Sullivan, MD, US Secretary of Health and Human Services, 1989-1993, President Emeritus, Morehouse School of MedicineReviews from Aubrey Milunsky's previous books: "Pediatricians are fortunate to have Benjamin Spock to explain child health to parents. As geneticists, we are lucky to have Aubrey Milunsky to explain genetic health to people." -- The American Journal of Human Genetics "Fascinating, easy to read . . . a valuable contribution. A practitioner would be doing this patient and future generations an important service by calling attention to this book." -- New York Times"Very lucid, accurate, of wide scope . . . Dr. Milunsky is a superbly competent and successful genetic counselor [whose book is] highly recommended for medical students and medical practitioners for dealing with questions asked by informed patients." -- The New England Journal of Medicine

Aubrey Milunsky, MD, D.S.c. is Professor of Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, and the Director of the Center for Human Genetics, at Boston University School of Medicine.