What is the study of Genetics?
Genetics is the branch of biology that specifically looks at genes, and more broadly looks at heredity in living organisms. Essentially it is the study of DNA and how genes encoded by DNA give rise to living organisms. More recently, the field of genetics has evolved to help understand what happens when genes and their associated products do not function as designed, leading to various life limiting genetic disorders and cancers.
Medical Genetics is making an enormous impact in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Knowledge obtained from sequencing the human genome is allowing researchers to understand the many diseases that have genetic components. Many medical doctors who become involved in research focus on genetic aspects of human health and disease.