Hypnosis, magic and religion also played a large part in the medicine practised by prehistoric human society. Moving forward, plant products were widely used in folk medicine, and indeed, are still used in many parts of the world today. If the altered protein is involved in metabolising a particular medicine, this may affect the levels of the medicine in the body, and thus influence how the patient responds to the medicine. In personalised medicine, doctors modify the dosage of the medicine or substitute it with a different one, according to the genetic makeup of the patient for optimal treatment effects. Known as gene therapy, this method of treatment is advancing rapidly and may become the primary form of treatment, rather than drugs or surgery, in the not-so-far-away future.

Source: The Star May 27, 2021 05:00 UTC