How has this understanding of genes affected the field of medicine?
understanding genes better has helped us engineer medicines by mixing genes and having them reproduce to get the desired byproduct/medicine. it has also helped scientists/doctors understand some sicknesses were not contracted but are instead passed through genes (hereditary) and there for made them easier to treat. Hope this helps. :).
Field of Medicine is all about specific gene codes in a special manner. Understanding of genes has explored our mind set in the field of gene [ Type of coding which is very important in medicines ], we can use some very specialized process like recombinant DNA Technology, Genetic Engineering, to modify the gene into some specific (special functioning) gene, which can destroy a specific pathogen (disease causing agent)
Hope this helps!