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Genomic Medicine

updated: March 27, 2024

Definition

Genomic medicine is a medical discipline that involves using a person’s genomic information as part of their clinical care. Other similar terms include individualized medicine, personalized medicine and precision medicine. For some conditions, genomic information can be used to help diagnose disease, predict outcomes and guide treatment.



Narration

Genomic medicine. Genomic information is only one piece of the puzzle of why some people get a disease and some don't. But it's a piece we can measure very accurately that can help us in treating and even preventing diseases. Other factors are also important, such as the habits people practice and the possibly harmful things they're exposed to in their environment over their lifetime. Scientists are learning more and more about how all these factors work together in keeping us healthy or causing disease, and are beginning to apply this knowledge in targeted ways that can individualize or personalize the care that doctors provide to do a better job at choosing the right test or treatment for the right patient at the right time. This is what makes genomically directed medicine truly precision medicine.

Teri Manolio
Teri Manolio, M.D., Ph.D.

Director

Division of Genomic Medicine