Description Provides a concise, authoritative overview of human genetic diversity Describes the insights that human genetics have brought to an understanding of human evolution and history Focuses on the implications of human genetic diversity for disease susceptibility and treatment Includes case studies e.g. HIV AIDS, Crohn's disease, asthma and type 1 diabetes Examines the emerging field of pharmacogenomics and individualised medicine The secrets of our genetic heritage are finally being unlocked. The massive scientific effort to sequence the human genome is in fact just the beginning of a long journey as the extraordinary genetic diversity that exists between individuals becomes clear. Work in this field promises much: to understand our evolutionary origins, to define us as individuals, to predict our risk of disease and to more effectively understand, treat and prevent illness. Contemporary genetic research is allowing the basis of both rare inherited disorders and common multifactorial diseases like asthma and diabetes to be more clearly defined. Huge investments are being made and great advances have been achieved, but the challenges remain daunting. This book provides an authoritative overview of this topical and very rapidly advancing field of biomedical research. Human Genetic Diversity describes the major classes of genetic variation and their functional consequences. A combination of cutting-edge research and landmark historical stud