title: Genetic architecture of common multifactorial diseases.
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to foster a dialogue among those interested in the genetic analysis of common chronic diseases. The need for an alternative to the Cartesian-Mendelian research strategy is discussed. A biological model that considers an individual's health to be an emergent property of a complex adaptive system is presented. A review of the contribution of the gene coding for apolipoprotein E to the genetic architecture of measures of lipid metabolism documents that an individual's coronary artery health has all the features expected of a complex adaptive system. Suggestions for enhancing our ability to use genetic information to predict onset, progression and severity of disease are offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0618, USA.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Sing
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Haviland
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E