Genomics & Health Weekly Update
This weekly update provides information about the impact of human genomic research on disease prevention & population health. Learn more about the Genomics & Health Weekly Update.
Thursday, June 3, 2010 Volume 24 Number 22
Spotlight
Personal Genomic Tests Not Ready for Prime Time
Despite the many advances in genomic discoveries for common diseases, there is a lot we don't know about how to use such information to improve health and prevent disease. Personal genomic tests that have been developed on the basis of limited scientific information may not yet provide valid or useful results to individuals who are tested. Read a NEJM article and listen to an audio interview.
Also, read
- Recommendations for strengthening the science base of personal genomics
- A statement from the National Society of Genetic Counselors
- Genetic Testing articles in the news
- ELSI articles in the news
Announcements
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- Yale Cancer Center Genetic Counseling Program releases new Cancer Bytes podcast, featuring interviews with people touched by cancer, genetic counseling and testing. Subscribe to the podcast.
- The NIH has opened a 30-day comment period starting May 28, 2010 on the Genetic Testing Registry project, which will serve as a repository of information about genetic tests submitted by researchers, test developers, and manufacturers, and will include information about how the tests are used, about their validity and utility, and about how they are accessed.
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is soliciting requests for proposals for pilot-testing, disseminating and integrating the Does it Run in the Family and the My Family Health Portrait family health history tools in HRSA-supported Health Centers. Deadline: June 28, 2010. Read the Request For Proposal.
- CDC announces a new funding opportunity: Ensuring the Quality of Molecular Genetic Testing in Healthcare Delivery Systems: Promoting Effective Reporting and Use of Test Results for Clinical Decision Making. Application deadline: July 7, 2010.
Genomics In The News
Topics in the News
- The following are headlines from on-line news articles published during the past week.
- The headlines and lead sentence are exactly as they appear in the popular press & do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of CDC.
- Free registration required for some articles.
Cancer
Breast cancer genetic risks not affected by lifestyle factors, Medical News Today, June 2
Genetic mutation shown to trigger melanoma, Medical News Today, June 2
Scientists move closer to pinpointing gene involved in bowel cancer spread, EurekAlert, June 2
Sun-induced skin cancer: new discovery permits doctors to assess genetic risk, EurekAlert, June 2
3 new susceptibility genes identified in genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Medical News Today, June 1
Research team confirms gene mutation associated with serious forms of leukaemia, News-Medical.Net, June 1
A ‘completely different approach’ to cancer treatment, BBC News, May 31
Medical researcher's discovery may explain how certain cancers develop, Medical News Today, May 28
Genes' link to certain cancers questioned, MSN, May 27
Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI)
Have consent forms for research improved in 25 years, Medical News Today, June 1
Cashing in on your genes, Irish Times, May 28
New Kennedy/Eshoo Personalized Medicine Bill tackles hot topics in personalized medicine, Genome Web, May 28 [by free subscription only]
Genetic Testing
Gene mapping: Predicting your future health, ABC News, June 3
Critical fallout from U.C. Berkeley's undergraduate DNA testing experiment, examiner.com, June 2
Family history: Genetic testing a mixed blessing, Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 1
Genetic tests reach out to consumers, Gerson Lehrman Group, June 1
NIH seeks comments on genetic testing registry, Genome Web, June 1 [by free subscription only]
Home genome test tangled in debate, Philadelphia Business Journal, May 28
UC Berkeley offer to test DNA of incoming students sparks debate, Los Angeles Times, June 1
CDC to fund molecular genetic test pilot for clinics, labs, Genome Web, May 31 [by free subscription only]
Gene tests have answers, but do we want them, MSNBC, May 30
Scrutiny of personal gene tests increases, Live Science, May 30
From Californians’ DNA, a giant genome project, The New York Times, May 28
Unwinding Berkeley's DNA test, Inside Higher ED, May 28
Updated chart of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies available, Genetics & Public Policy Center, May 28
Neurologic Conditions
Copy number variants highlight candidate genes for neurological conditions, PHG Foundation, June 2
NIH-supported study looks for earliest changes in the brain that may lead to Alzheimer's Disease, NIH News, June 2
Alzheimer’s stalks a Colombian family, The New York Times, June 1
Other
NHLBI to hold workshop on health consequences of Sickle Cell trait, NIH News, June 2
Study finds jumping genes provide extensive 'raw material' for evolution, Medical News Today, June 2
Large-scale variation in human DNA revealed by powerful genome barcoding system, Medical News Today, June 1
Genetic technology moving from lab to medical practices, bnd.com, May 30
Discovery of gene mutation linked to lymphatic dysfunction could lead to first-ever target for drug therapy to treat lymphedema, Medical News Today, May 29
Increasing use of microarrays for genetic analysis of children, PHG Foundation, May 28
Study papers shows how nutrients affect gene expression, News-Medical.Net, May 28
New Swedish genome centre opens, PHG Foundation, May 27
Pitt researchers discover gene mutation linked to lymphatic dysfunction, EurekAlert, May 27
Genomics in the Scientific Literature
Topics in the Scientific Literature
Autoimmune Disease
Leveraging Human Genetics to Develop Future Therapeutic Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Plenge RM & Raychaudhuri S
Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2010 May;36(2):259-70
Cancer
A Compendium of Genome-Wide Associations for Cancer: Critical Synopsis and Reappraisal
Ioannidis JP, et al.
J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 May
A genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma identifies three new susceptibility loci
Bei JX, et al.
Nat Genet 2010 May
Candidate gene association studies and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Vijayakrishnan J & Houlston R
Haematologica 2010 May
dbCPCO: A database of genetic markers tested for their predictive and prognostic value in colorectal cancer
Savas S & Younghusband HB
Hum Mutat 2010 May
Predicting BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers: comparison of PENN II model to previous study
Lindor NM, et al.
Fam Cancer 2010 May
Chronic Disease
Genetic factors in chronic pancreatitis; implications for diagnosis, management and prognosis
Derikx MH & Drenth JP
Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2010 Jun;24(3):251-70
Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI)
Gene patenting--is the pendulum swinging back?
Kesselheim AS & Mello MM
N Engl J Med 2010 May;362(20):1855-8
Genetic health professionals and the communication of genetic information in families: Practice during and after a genetic consultation
Forrest LE, et al.
Am J Med Genet A 2010 Jun;152A(6):1458-66
Human difference in the genomic era: Facilitating a socially responsible dialogue
Knerr S, et al.
BMC Med Genomics 2010 May;3(1):20
Misunderstandings Concerning Genetics Among Patients Confronting Genetic Disease
Klitzman RL
J Genet Couns 2010 May
Genetic Testing
Uptake of carrier testing in families after cystic fibrosis diagnosis through newborn screening
McClaren BJ, et al.
Eur J Hum Genet 2010 May
Neurologic Conditions
Genetic etiology of Parkinson disease associated with mutations in the SNCA, PARK2, PINK1, PARK7, and LRRK2 genes: a mutation update
Nuytemans K, et al.
Hum Mutat 2010 May
Pharmacogenomics
Personalized therapy in pain management: where do we stand?
Stamer UM, et al.
Pharmacogenomics 2010 Jun;11(6):843-64
Pharmacogenetic Approach for a Better Drug Treatment in Children
Polanczyk G, et al.
Curr Pharm Des 2010 Jun
Pharmacogenomics of suicidal events
Brent D, et al.
Pharmacogenomics 2010 Jun;11(6):793-807
Smoking, Tobacco and Alcohol
Chipping away at the genetics of smoking behavior
Amos CI, et al.
Nat Genet 2010 May;42(5):366-8
Other
Genetics and Genomics Resources for Nurses
De Sevo MR
J Nurs Educ 2010 Jun:1-5
Genomic medicine -- an updated primer
Feero WG, et al.
N Engl J Med 2010 May;362(21):2001-11
Ten years on -- the human genome and medicine
Varmus H
N Engl J Med 2010 May;362(21):2028-9
HuGE
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The CDC Office of Public Health Genomics makes available the above information as a public service only. The items in the update come from news articles and scientific articles and abstracts published during the past week. The headlines and lead sentences are exactly as they appear & do not necessarily reflect the opinions, recommendations, or endorsement by the CDC. Note that some links may become invalid over time.
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