Interpreting the Meaning in Our Genomes: Perspectives from Biochemistry, Genetics, Infectious Disease, and Dance

Abstract

Our understanding of the information contained within our genomes (our DNA) is revolutionizing the way we consider personal and public health and well-being, as well as our concepts of race, ancestry, and identity. At the same time, we are at risk of exacerbating existing health and socioeconomic disparities by limiting the voices that are part of the conversations addressing the impact of genomic data. This chapter is a call to action-to recognize the importance of genomic information across disciplines and to promote an understanding of that importance across societies-a call for broad-based genomic literacy.