Genetic Medicine: A Logic of Disease

by Barton Childs MD

Overview

In Genetic Medicine: A Logic of Disease, Barton Childs demonstrates that knowledge of the ways both genes and environment contribute to disease provides a rational basis for medical thinking. This "genetic" medicine, he explains, should help the physician use the results of laboratory tests to perceive the uniqueness of the patient as well as that of the family and the cultural conditions in which the patient's condition arose. Childs thus provides a conceptual framework within which to teach and practice a humane medicine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421405131
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	09/15/2003
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	344
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Barton Childs, M.D., is professor emeritus of pediatrics and biology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Barton Childs, M.D., is professor emeritus of pediatrics and biology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction
Part I. MEDICAL THINKING
Chapter 2. Inborn Errors and Chemical Individuality
Chapter 3. The Transition from Oslerian to Garrodian Medicine
Chapter 4. Individuality and Causes
Chapter 5. Definitions of Disease
Part II. A LOGIC OF DISEASE
Chapter 6. Biology and Medicine: Contrasts and Convergences
Chapter 7. A Synthesis
Part III. SPECIES IDENTITY
Chapter 8. Lessons from Phylogeny
Part IV. ADAPTIVE FLEXIBILITY: HOMEOSTASIS AND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 9. Physiological Homeostasis: The Homeostasis of the Moment
Chapter 10. Genetic Homeostasis: The Past
Chapter 11. Developmental Homeostasis: The Lifetime
Chapter 12. Sociocultural Homeostasis
Chapter 13. Homeostatic Interactions
Part V. DESCENT WITH MODIFICATION: GENETIC VARIATION
Chapter 14. What is a Gene?
Chapter 15. The Paths of Gene Action
Chapter 16. Whatever Is, Is Variable
Chapter 17. The Semantics of Genetics
Chapter 18. Classification of Disease
Part VI. REPRODUCTION, FREQUENCY, AND CONTINUITY
Chapter 19. The Diploid State
Chapter 20. Gene Frequency
Chapter 21. Heterogeneity
Chapter 22. Unity and Continuity of Disease
Chapter 23. Heritability
Chapter 24. Infections
Part VII. AN ANALYSIS OF DISEASE IN THREE TIME FRAMES
Chapter 25. The Moment: Type I Diabetes
Chapter 26. The Lifetime
Chapter 27. Biological and Social History, and a Vision of Disease in Three Time Frames
Part VIII. THE LOGIC AND MODERN MEDICINE
Chapter 28. The Human Genome Project
Chapter 29. The Medical-Genetic Synthesis and Society
Chapter 30. A Basis for Medical Education

Editorial Reviews

In each section of this book, the author develops the thesis that the awareness and identification of human diseases with a genetic component(s) has been explosive. These advances have occurred by mapping, identifying, and then cloning the gene for the disease. This has led to a variety of gene diagnostic tests, which can also predict future risk, and will thus be effective in preventive medicine and pharmacogenetics (the prediction of responsiveness to drugs). Also, understanding the basic biologic defect can lead to better drug therapy. Finally, new gene therapies will be the ultimate answer, but unfortunately they may take years to develop. The question asked is, how will educators handle this avalanche of information? This information of new knowledge will have a major impact on how and what we teach and how our patients are treated in the next generation. We cannot ignore this information and it is critical now to redirect medical education. With this book the author asks medical educators to restructure the current medical school curricula to best educate the next generation of physicians. In the preface, the author states that it is written for medical educators, medical geneticists, public health officials, and practicing physicians. This well-conceived and well-written monograph consists of eight sections containing thirty chapters, ten tables, two figures, and references, which by spot check in my university library are correct. My assessment and judgment of this book is most favorable. This opinion started forming in the first paragraph of the Preface, where the author addresses the audience of this book. I would include clerical and/or spiritual leaders amongthose delineated. The information discussed is not new in and of itself; however, the author cleverly ""weaves"" the chapters from his own ""rootstock"" as a physician, clinician, teacher, mentor, department chair, etc., and from the lives and paths of individuals from the past who state where we are today and where we need to go. I find the book most interesting but ""dry"" in certain areas. The author gives, in his quiet way, the directive ""to go"" forward without deserting the humane and humanistic qualities of medicine. I thought Chapter 3 was the most interesting but provoked an initial ""negative"" response by the author's request to leave the Oslerian method (to relieve pain and suffering and restore our patient's health -- fix the machine) behind and move to Garrodian Medicine (think of human variation). This leads to Chapters 4 and 5 where he wants to make preventive medicine our primary mission. I also liked reading sections II - VIII, however, information in Sections V and VI was familiar and not as interesting as the other sections. The most important part to me was Section VIII with its three chapters. ""The Human Genome Project"" will greatly accelerate those events in the first paragraph (above), and the social consequences of this revolution is discussed in Chapter 29, and the final chapter, ""A Basis for Medical Education,"" provides the author's solution to the problem. This book should be mandatory reading for all educators at academic medical centers. There are persuasive arguments to ponder curriculum changes. Although this book lacks a ""blueprint"" for us to follow, I think that it will still lead to curriculum changes in every academic center. I think the author is correct in stating that ""evolution is what the book is about.""

Louis Heck

Describes the integration of genetics and medicine in a historical context, exploring the ways in which research in genetics exposes medicine to new ways to think about disease, its causes, and its pathogenesis. Discusses medical thinking and outlines a logic of disease, then covers species identity, adaptive flexibility, descent with modification, reproduction and continuity, and the Human Genome Project. The author is a professor at The Johns Hopkins University. Of interest to medical educators, medical geneticists, physicians, and students. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

The author gives us new ways of looking at old medical disorders and offers plenty of food for thought to stimulate changes in current thinking.
—Virginia E. Kimonis, Teaching and Learning in Medicine

Barton Childs's book is erudite and informative.
—Rodney Harris, Human Genetics

This book is highly recommended for a wide variety of audiences in addition to physicians and medical students: ethicists, anthropologists, social workers, nurses, and other members of the health profession. Hospital administrators, insurance personnel, and lawyers could also benefit, particularly in this day of managed care. Members of curriculum committees of medical schools and public health schools could also benefit. Fortunately, some of Childs's concepts are being applied to medical teaching already, but I know of no better synthesis in one book.
—James E. Bowman, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine

From the Publisher

Barton Childs's book is erudite and informative.

Human Genetics - Rodney Harris

This book is highly recommended for a wide variety of audiences in addition to physicians and medical students: ethicists, anthropologists, social workers, nurses, and other members of the health profession. Hospital administrators, insurance personnel, and lawyers could also benefit, particularly in this day of managed care. Members of curriculum committees of medical schools and public health schools could also benefit. Fortunately, some of Childs's concepts are being applied to medical teaching already, but I know of no better synthesis in one book.

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine - James E. Bowman

The author gives us new ways of looking at old medical disorders and offers plenty of food for thought to stimulate changes in current thinking.

Teaching and Learning in Medicine - Virginia E. Kimonis

The author gives us new ways of looking at old medical disorders and offers plenty of food for thought to stimulate changes in current thinking.

— Virginia E. Kimonis

Teaching and Learning in Medicine

This book is highly recommended for a wide variety of audiences in addition to physicians and medical students: ethicists, anthropologists, social workers, nurses, and other members of the health profession. Hospital administrators, insurance personnel, and lawyers could also benefit, particularly in this day of managed care. Members of curriculum committees of medical schools and public health schools could also benefit. Fortunately, some of Childs's concepts are being applied to medical teaching already, but I know of no better synthesis in one book.

— James E. Bowman

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine

Barton Childs's book is erudite and informative.

— Rodney Harris

Human Genetics