ABC News: West African Nation Lays Claim to Whoopi "When the government of one of the world's poorest nations learned that Whoopi Goldberg had taken a DNA test showing her ancestors hail from here, the news reverberated through the halls of parliament. ..."
BBC NEWS | Health | Newborn babies to get extra test "All newborn babies in England are to be checked for a rare inherited condition, the government has said.The test is for a metabolic disease called Medium Chain Acyl CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD). ..."
Independent Online: Suppressed report shows cancer link to GM potatoes "Campaigners against genetically modified crops in Britain last are calling for trials of GM potatoes this spring to be halted after releasing more evidence of links with cancers in laboratory rats. ..."
Science finds new ways to regrow fingers - Yahoo! News "This summer, scientists are planning to see whether the powdered pig extract can help injured soldiers regrow parts of their fingers. And a large federally funded project is trying to unlock the secrets of how some animals regrow body parts so well, with hopes of applying the the lessons to humans. ..."
The Korea Times : Carbon Dioxide Used to Slow Aging "A team of South Korean scientists have found a ``magical use for carbon dioxide, one of the gases blamed as a main culprit of global warming. ..."
Brave, new biotech world Human, animal mix raises ethical concerns - Catholic Online "Whatever one makes of them, chimeras exemplify the rapidly developing, and occasionally creepy, ethical challenges that arise on the frontiers of today s genetic science. ..."
DNAPolicy || Sequencing Human History: The Genetics and Commerce of Personal Ancestry "These issues and others will be addressed at the next Genetics and Public Policy Center s Genetics Perspectives on Policy Seminar (GenePOPS), Sequencing Human History: The Genetics and Commerce of Personal Ancestry. ..."
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists discover new gene that prevents multiple types of cancer "A decades-old cancer mystery has been solved by researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). "We not only found a critical tumor suppressor gene, but have revealed a master switch for a tumor suppressive network that means more targeted and effective cancer therapy in the future," ..."
Does a component of niacin point the way to anti-aging drugs? "Now, a new study from scientists at The Wistar Institute points to another strategy for activating sirtuins to unleash their anti-aging powers. ..."
Drug companies should not have a monopoly over clinical trial data "Data exclusivity the granting of exclusive rights to commercial companies over clinical and preclinical trial data could jeopardize efforts to create generic versions of life-saving medicines and harm public health, says Karin Timmermans of the World Health Organization (WHO) in an Essay in PLoS Medicine. ..."
Individuals with genetic conditions twice as likely to report health insurance denial "A new study published in the February 2007 issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics reveals that individuals with genetic conditions are twice as likely to report having been denied health insurance than individuals with other chronic illnesses. ..."
Problem forgetting may be a natural mechanism gone awry "It may turn out the reason some people grow increasingly forgetful as they age is less about how old they are and more about subtle changes in the way the brain files memories and makes room for new ones - differences perhaps better blamed on patterns of cell-to-cell communication than the number of birthday candles decorating the cake. ..."
Researchers begin 'Project 3000,' a recipe for hope through genetic research "Along the way, Project 3000 will become the first program of its kind to offer genetic testing for any eye disease to every affected person in the country. ..."
The science behind a wrinkle-filler: Researchers discover for the first time how product works "The current battle between the makers of anti-wrinkle products widely compared with the Coke and Pepsi struggle for superiority is receiving an injection of scientific understanding with the release of a new study from the University of Michigan Health System. ..."
Studies of population genetics, evolution are an exercise in bad taste "Scientific studies of why foods such as Brussels sprouts and stout beer are horribly bitter-tasting to some people but palatable to others are shedding light on a number of questions, from the mechanisms of natural selection to understanding how our genes affect our dietary habits ..."
Study of diabetes and race reveals the imperfect science of defining ethnic groups "While previous biomedical research studies have found that genetics and race increase risk for some diseases, a new look into how researchers study genetic triggers of type 2 diabetes suggests that defining race remains an inexact science, with social and historic facts mixing with biology throughout the research process. ..."
Technology captures tumors'genetic profile, guides cancer treatment "A study led by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University provides the first demonstration of a practical method of screening tumors for cancer-related gene abnormalities that might be treated with "targeted" drugs ..."
Which genome variants matter? "Findings published today in Science will accelerate the search for genes involved in human disease. The report provides a first genome-wide view of how the unique composition of genetic variation within each of us leads to unique patterns of gene activity. ..."
FDA Clears First of Its Kind Suture Made Using DNA Technology "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced it has cleared for marketing in the U.S. the TephaFLEX Absorbable Suture the first absorbable polymer suture made from material isolated from bacteria modified by recombinant DNA technology. ..."
MercuryNews.com | 02/14/2007 | Kaiser seeks 500,000 volunteers for study of genes, disease "Kaiser Permanente today announced plans to create one of the world's biggest repositories of genetic material, using half a million Northern California patients to study the interplay of genes and the environment in diseases such as diabetes, cancer and asthma. ..."
DNA patenting: the end of an era? - Nature Biotechnology "Debates on patenting DNA must evolve to reflect the global decline in filings and regional disparities in patenting activity. ..."
Next-generation sequencing outpaces expectations - Nature Biotechnology "Growing demand in both the research and clinical markets is fueling the development and funding of more efficient genomic sequencing methods. ..."
New diagnostic technology for routine prenatal genetic testing "Research studies demonstrating the viability of an approach to routinely detect the presence of fetal DNA in a mother's blood to accurately diagnose or rule out genetic defects -- as early as the first trimester -- was presented today at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine being held in San Francisco. ..."
Girl or Boy? As Fertility Technology Advances, So Does an Ethical Debate - New York Times"If people want to choose their baby s sex before pregnancy, should doctors help? ..."
Patenting Life - New York Times"YOU, or someone you love, may die because of a gene patent that should never have been granted in the first place. Sound far-fetched? Unfortunately, it s only too real. ..."
Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/12/2007 | 'Asterisks' in the DNA "As one recent paper suggested, epigenetics can explain why identical twins don't always look identical, especially as they get older. ..."
Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. Washington, reviewed by Washington Post Book World "A fresh account of the Tuskegee study, including new information about the internal politics of the panel charged by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare with investigating it in 1972, lies at the center of Harriet A. Washington's courageous and poignant book. The balance of Medical Apartheid reveals, with arresting detail, that this scandal was neither the first chapter nor the last in the exploitation of black subjects in U.S. medical research. ..."
DIAGNOSTICS: Amid Debate, Gene-Based Cancer Test Approved -- Couzin 315 (5814): 924 -- Science "Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its first-ever approval of a multigene prognostic test and 2 days later held a contentious meeting to discuss more stringent oversight of this area. ..."
Stem cell agency awards $45 million in grants"California approved its first state-financed grants for stem cell research today despite lawsuits and financing difficulties that threatened to stymie the Prop. 71 ballot initiative passed by voters in 2004. ..."
Technology Review: Has Personalized Medicine Arrived? "It may have arrived for real this month with a largely bureaucratic announcement by a government agency. ..."
Backing for hybrid embryo research | Uk News | News | Telegraph "Scientists should be allowed to create human-animal hybrid embryos in the search for treatments for nervous system disorders, a Government advisory body said yesterday. ..."
globeandmail.com: Expand prenatal gene tests, MDs urge "In an effort to identify more babies with disabilities before they are born, Canada's obstetricians and gynecologists are recommending that all pregnant women, regardless of their age, should undergo prenatal genetic screening if they choose. ..."
Wired News: Pharm Animals Crank Out Drugs "With its tranquil ponds and rolling fields, the GTC Biotherapeutics farm in Charlton, Massachusetts, looks like a typical pastoral retreat. But its 1,400 goats don't produce any butter or cheese. Instead, the animals are sophisticated drug incubators, with millions of dollars of potential profit accumulating in their udders each day. ..."
Unscientific Ethics: Science and Selective Ethics (Hastings Center Report) "The article examines the practice of selective ethics by some scientists. Interest in ethics is not always genuine though greater attention is being given to the issue. An open mind is required for good ethics. The editors of a volume in a series of handbooks on animal experimentation rejected a proposed chapter due to the alleged inappropriateness of the content, which discussed an ethical challenge to animal experimentation. ..."
Void for Vagueness (Hastings Center Report) "The article examines the creation and implementation of standards for regulating medicine and medical personnel. The creation of the duty of informed consent could involve consulting a literature to which doctors and medical ethicists contribute. The medical standard of disclosure is applied to identify the scope of the duty. ..."
Kahn, J. D. Harmonizing Race: Competing Regulatory Paradigms of Racial Categorization in International Drug Development, SSRN." This article examines the implications of U.S. federal and international regulatory mandates in the construction and circulation of racial categories in biomedical research and drug development. It will focus on the interface between two regulatory mandates in particular: the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Guideline Document E-5 on Ethnic Factors in the Acceptability of Foreign Clinical Data,1 and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Guidance for Industry: Collection of Race and Ethnicity Data in Clinical Trials. The ostensible purpose of both of these guidelines is to promote more efficient and economical development of new pharmaceutical interventions. Underlying both Guidances is a presumption that race and ethnicity are relevant variables in assessing the safety and efficacy of drugs in clinical trials. ..."
Sandel, M. J. (2007). The Case against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering, Belknap Press."Breakthroughs in genetics present us with a promise and a predicament. The promise is that we will soon be able to treat and prevent a host of debilitating diseases. The predicament is that our newfound genetic knowledge may enable us to manipulate our nature--to enhance our genetic traits and those of our children. Although most people find at least some forms of genetic engineering disquieting, it is not easy to articulate why. What is wrong with re-engineering our nature? ..."
(2007). "A History of Patents." Hastings Center Report 37(1): S4-S5. "The article focuses on the history of securing patents. One must apply for a patent to be issued for a certain invention. The owner of a patent is given the right to prevent others form making, using or selling the patent without his or her permission. Three types of patents are issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ..."
Austin, J. C. and W. G. Honer (2007). "The Genomic Era and Serious Mental Illness: A Potential Application for Psychiatric Genetic Counseling." Psychiatric Services 58(2): 254-261. " In a genetic counseling session the counselor discusses genetic and environmental contributors to disease pathogenesis; helps individuals explore conceptions, fears, and adaptive strategies; and provides nondirective support for decision making. Expected outcomes may include reductions in fear, stigma, and guilt associated with a psychiatric diagnosis; improvements in adherence to prescribed medications; declines in risk behaviors; and reductions in misconceptions about the illness. The authors endorse a multidisciplinary approach in which a psychiatrist and genetic counselor collaborate to provide comprehensive psychiatric genetic counseling. ..."
Candib, L. M. (2007). "How Turning a QI Project into "Research" Almost Sank a Great Program" Hastings Center Report 37(1): 26-30. "The article discusses the author's experience of establishing a program involving the purchase of institutional memberships to a local Young Women's Christian Association for the low-income patients and staff of a health center in the U.S. The program faced many problems, including the need for more Spanish-speaking interpreters. Approval by the Institutional Review Board was also required for the program. ..."
Carey, K. N. (2005). "Wrongful life and wrongful birth: legal aspects of failed genetic testing in oocyte donation." Penn Bioeth J 1(1): 1-4. "The field of reproductive medicine has all but exploded in recent years, allowing more people access to novel treatments. New technologies have been introduced so rapidly that ethics and the law have been unable to respond appropriately. A particularly promising reproductive therapy, oocyte donation, and the wide variety of prenatal genetic tests already available, will theoretically present the legal world with a variety of new challenges. How should the law respond to potential wrongful birth and wrongful life suits resulting from failed genetic testing, if the child in question was conceived using a donor egg? Under what circumstances should the physician be held liable? Under what circumstances might the donor be culpable? This paper reviews scholarly opinions and existing case law in order to answer these questions. ..."
David Bradford, W., A. N. Kleit, et al. (2006). "Effects of direct-to-consumer advertising of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors on attainment of LDL-C goals." Clin Ther 28(12): 2105-18. " The objective of this research was to study the relationship between heavy television promotion of 3 major hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors ("statins") and the frequency with which patients are able to attain low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) blood-level goals after treatment with any statin.
DENNO, D. W. (2007). "REVISITING THE LEGAL LINK BETWEEN GENETICS AND CRIME." Law & Contemporary Problems 69(209). "In essence, this article takes up where the Ciba symposium's analysis of the legal consequences of genetics and crime left off -- to assess the kinds of exchanges the Mobley case would provoke today. Contrary to predictions at the time of Mobley's appeal, it appears that little has occurred in the area of genetics and crime warranting the concern that Mobley generated. Of course, the criminal justice system should remain alert to the potential hazards of genetics evidence. Yet unsupported fears could also curtail some defendants' constitutionally legitimate attempts to submit mitigating factors in their death penalty cases, in particular, genetics evidence that could validate the existence of more traditionally accepted mitigating conditions, such as mental illness. Presumably, judges and juries would be less likely to think that a defendant is feigning states such as schizophrenia or alcoholism if such disorders commonly occurred across generations of the defendant's family. ..."
Dervieux, T. and M. V. Bala (2006). "Overview of the pharmacoeconomics of pharmacogenetics." Pharmacogenomics 7(8): 1175-84. "Examples suggesting a cost-effectiveness of markers predicting drug efficacy include screening the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms for statins therapy, the alpha-adducin gene variant for diuretic therapy and the assessment of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) expression for trastuzumab therapy. However, thus far, all these pharmacoeconomic analyses are exploratory and validations in prospective randomized clinical trials are warranted. ..."
Farrugia, A. (2006). "When do tissues and cells become products? Regulatory oversight of emerging biological therapies." Cell Tissue Bank 7(4): 325-35."Although therapeutics derived from biological sources have been subjected to regulatory oversight for some time, the products used in transplantation procedures have historically been exempt from this oversight. These products have been viewed as being part of medical practice rather than as the result of mainstream pharmaceutical manufacture. Furthermore, their unique source makes them difficult to assess in traditional regulatory systems based on the tenets of pharmaceutical quality control. With the increasing use of transplantation therapies to both replace dysfunctional organs and to influence genetic and metabolic processes, public health concerns on these therapies have increased. In addition, it is recognized that therapeutic claims for some of these interventions need to be properly assessed. . ..."
Foulkes, A. S., D. A. Wohl, et al. (2006). "Associations among race/ethnicity, ApoC-III genotypes, and lipids in HIV-1-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy." PLoS Med 3(3): e52."In the first pharmacogenetic study of its kind in HIV-1 disease, we found race/ethnic-specific differences in plasma lipid levels on ART, as well as differences in the influence of the apoC-III gene on the development of PI-related hypertriglyceridemia. Given the multi-ethnic distribution of HIV-1 infection, our findings underscore the need for future studies of metabolic and cardiovascular complications of ART that specifically account for racial/ethnic heterogeneity, particularly when assessing candidate gene effects. ..."
Gadow, E., F. Petracchi, et al. (2006). "Awareness and attitude toward prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with no access to legal termination of pregnancy." Prenat Diagn 26(10): 885-91. "In many countries, prenatal genetic testing is offered, but TOP is not available. In the present study, although most of the couples who decided to undergo prenatal genetic testing were aware of this, they still chose to perform prenatal diagnosis. The main reason given was to obtain reliable information about fetal condition. Finally, if a fetal chromosomal abnormality were detected, most of them would consider TOP. ..."
Gewin, V. (2007). "Crunch time for multiple-gene tests." Nature 445(7126): 354-5.
Goldberg, D. "Against Genetic Exceptionalism: An Argument in Favor of the Viability of Preconception Torts." " While courts have had decades of experience in grappling with preconception torts, primarily through the diethylsulfidamide (DES) litigation, the more recent phenomenon of preconception genetic torts have proved difficult for the judicial system to manage properly. A preconception genetic tort occurs where a person is exposed to a mutagen that results in structural changes to that person's DNA. These changes, in turn, can affect any offspring, and because they result in structural alterations to DNA, the offspring potentially carry those mutations in their own germline cells. While these facts obviously render preconception genetic torts unique, in this paper, I argue against genetic exceptionalism and contend that there are no policy considerations sufficient to justify categorically denying the viability of such torts. The article canvasses the most important cases addressing preconception genetic torts, and analyzes the policy considerations that militate against the genetic exceptionalism that animates outright denial of preconception genetic torts. ..."
Hall, S., L. Chitty, et al. (2007). "Undergoing prenatal screening for Down's syndrome: presentation of choice and information in Europe and Asia." Eur J Hum Genet. "The aim of this study is to describe the presentation of choice and information about Down's syndrome in written information about prenatal screening given to pregnant women in five European and two Asian countries. ..."
Hall, W. D. (2007). "A research agenda for assessing the potential contribution of genomic medicine to tobacco control." Tob Control 16(1): 53-8. "This paper identifies research priorities in evaluating the ways in which "genomic medicine"-the use of genetic information to prevent and treat disease-may reduce tobacco-related harm by: (1) assisting more smokers to quit; (2) preventing non-smokers from beginning to smoke tobacco; and (3) reducing the harm caused by tobacco smoking. . ..."
Hellenthal, G. and M. Stephens (2006). "Insights into recombination from population genetic variation." Curr Opin Genet Dev 16(6): 565-72. "Patterns of genetic variation in natural populations are shaped by, and hence carry valuable information about, the underlying recombination process. In the past five years, the increasing availability of large-scale population genetic data on dense sets of markers, coupled with advances in statistical methods for extracting information from these data, have led to several important advances in our understanding of the recombination process in humans. These advances include the identification of large numbers of 'hotspots', where recombination appears to take place considerably more frequently than in the surrounding sequence, and the identification of DNA sequence motifs that are associated with the locations of these hotspots. ..."
Hunter, K. G. (2006). "DNA as taxable property - the elephant in the room or a red herring?" Eur J Health Law 13(3): 263-75.
Johnston, J. and A. A. Wasunna (2007). "Patents, Biomedical Research, and Treatments: Examining Concerns, Canvassing Solutions." Hastings Center Report 37(1): S2-S35. "The article discusses issues related to securing patents for inventions involving genes and stem cells and for drugs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Ethical concerns have been raised over asserting ownership over certain discoveries, such as those considered lifesaving. Patents help promote innovation and early stage discoveries. The patent system is not responsible for treatment access problems. ..."
Manolio, T. A. and F. S. Collins (2007). "Genes, Environment, Health, and Disease: Facing up to Complexity." Human Heredity 63(2): 63-66. "Yet as we move from single-gene diseases, in which a single misspelled base-pair can lead to such devastating conditions as sickle cell disease or Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, to complex diseases involving interactions among many interacting genes of small effect and many potential environmental modifiers, we need to develop tools to unravel the complexity of these interacting risk factors. Even in single-gene diseases, the frequent inter-individual variability in disease manifestations and course suggests the presence of modifiers for these presumably simple diseases, whether due to differing genetic backgrounds or differing environmental exposures, that are only beginning to be identified ..."
Marinac, J. S., C. L. Buchinger, et al. (2007). "Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements: A Survey of Use, Attitudes, and Knowledge Among Older Adults." Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 107(1): 13-23. "Objective: To survey Americans aged approximately 60 years and older regarding their use of herbal products and dietary supplements and their attitudes and knowledge regarding the safety of these popular substances. Although substantial misconceptions about herbal products and dietary supplements exist among older Americans, most individuals in this population are interested in receiving additional information about these products. Excellent opportunities exist for expanded patient education--and improved patient care. ..."
Matloff, E. T., A. Moyer, et al. (2006). "Healthy women with a family history of breast cancer: impact of a tailored genetic counseling intervention on risk perception, knowledge, and menopausal therapy decision making." J Womens Health (Larchmt) 15(7): 843-56. "The authors determined the effects of a personalized risk assessment and genetic counseling intervention on knowledge, risk perception, and decision making in a group of healthy women who had a first-degree relative with breast cancer. A personalized risk assessment and genetic counseling intervention improves patient knowledge and risk perception; however, it is unclear that the intervention influenced menopausal treatment decisions. ..."
Matthews, Q. L. and D. T. Curiel (2007). "Gene therapy: human germline genetic modifications--assessing the scientific, socioethical, and religious issues." South Med J 100(1): 98-100.
McVean, G. and C. C. Spencer (2006). "Scanning the human genome for signals of selection." Curr Opin Genet Dev 16(6): 624-9. "The search for adaptive evolution in the human genome has reached a new era with the advent of genome-wide surveys of genetic variation. However, making sense, let alone use, of such experiments is far from straightforward. Key problems include the way in which the data have been collected, the need to control for factors such as population history and variable recombination rates, which influence the discovery rates for both true and false positives, and the inherent difficulty of falsification. Nevertheless, recent work has shown that genome scans can be used to identify both functional polymorphisms underlying selected traits and entire classes of genes enriched for signals of adaptation. ..."
Nancy E. Kass, (2007). "Access to health insurance: Experiences and attitudes of those with genetic versus non-genetic medical conditions." American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A 9999(9999): n/a. "The goal of this study was to document and compare the health insurance experiences, attitudes, and beliefs of persons with genetic conditions to those of persons with or at risk for other serious medical conditions. We interviewed approximately 100 adults or parents of children with one of each of the following medical conditions: sickle cell disease (SCD), cystic fibrosis (CF), diabetes, and HIV, and 200 adults with or at risk for breast (BC) or colon cancer (CC). More than one-third of all respondents thought there was a high chance they would be denied health insurance in the future or their insurance would become unaffordable. That individuals with all six health conditions expressed concern regarding their ability to obtain future health insurance suggests policy proposals should be broad-based, addressing the needs and concerns of individuals with diverse health conditions. ..."
Page, S. T., A. M. Matsumoto, et al. (2007). "DHEA and Testosterone in the Elderly." The New England Journal of Medicine 356(6): 635-637 ..."
Pescucci, C., R. Caselli, et al. (2007). "The Italian XLMR bank: a clinical and molecular database." Hum Mutat 28(1): 13-8. "The XLMR bank is an innovative biological database that allows the collection of molecular and clinical data, combines descriptive and iconographic resources, and represents a fundamental tool for researchers in the field of mental retardation. ..."
Resnik, D. B. (2007). "The New EPA Regulations for Protecting Human Subjects: Haste Makes Waste." Hastings Center Report 37(1): 17-21. "The article examines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regulations for research on human subjects which took effect on April 7, 2006. The regulations were the result of an eight-year debate over pesticide testing on humans. Decision making on the regulations was said to be rushed at key points. Environmental groups objected to the Children's Environmental Exposure Research Study in 2004. ..."
Rothenberg, K. H. and A. Wang "The Scarlet Gene: Behavioral Genetics, Criminal Law, and Racial and Ethnic Stigma." ..."
Salkeld, G., D. Henry, et al. (2007). "What Drives Health-Care Spending Priorities? An International Survey of Health-Care Professionals." PLoS Medicine 4(2): e94. "The purpose of this study is to compare spending priorities for health care across a selection of predominantly middle-income countries, based on the opinions of current and future decision makers. ..."
Schulte, P. A. (2006). "Framework for considering genetics in the workplace." Med Lav 97(2): 339-47. "Critical in assessing the issues involving genetics in the workplace is attention on the rights of workers, validity and clinical utility of genetic information, cost pressures on employers, and societal implications. Genetic information may provide mechanistic and diagnostic insight into occupational diseases and allow for targeting high-risk groups, improving risk assessments, and providing early indicators of risk. However, these benefits are more likely to be realized and problems avoided when the different uses are considered in a framework that distinguishes them by type and content. The application of such a framework makes it easier to assess whether there is a sufficient evidence base and worker safeguards in place for any particular use of genetic information. ..."
Shuster, E. (2007). "Microarray genetic screening: a prenatal roadblock for life?" Lancet 369(9560): 526-9.
Smith, G. D., M. Gwinn, et al. (2006). "Make it HuGE: human genome epidemiology reviews, population health, and the IJE." Int J Epidemiol 35(3): 507-10.
Stone, A. C. and B. C. Verrelli (2006). "Focusing on comparative ape population genetics in the post-genomic age." Curr Opin Genet Dev 16(6): 586-91. "The initial human and chimpanzee genome sequences have been published, and additional primate genomes, including those of gorilla and orang-utan, are in progress. With these new resources, we can now address what makes our species unique, by focusing on the underlying genetic differences associated with phenotypes. Historically, this research has focused on the human perspective; however, we will learn much about ourselves with a focus on genomic diversity in hominoids as a group. ..."
Swartling, U., S. Eriksson, et al. (2007). "Concern, pressure and lack of knowledge affect choice of not wanting to know high-risk status." Eur J Hum Genet "In this study, we explored the clinical preconditions for disclosure of increased risk of getting diabetes in children. We discuss whether parents'/participants' 'no' to high-risk information may call for a more nuanced response such as information and support, rather than simply respect their wish not to know. We furthermore argue that it is ethically questionable whether the parents' expressed wish not to know should prima facie override the potential benefits for their child. We conclude that this constitutes sufficient reason not to promote a default solution where people's expressed wishes not to know are taken at face value. ..."
Voracek, M. (2006). "Ancestry, genes, and suicide: a test of the Finno-Ugrian Suicide Hypothesis in the United States." Percept Mot Skills 103(2): 543-50."There is now convergent evidence from classic quantitative genetics (family, twin, and adoption studies) and molecular genetic studies for specific genetic risk factors for suicidal behavior. This emerging research field has recently been supplemented by geographical studies concerned with the Finno-Ugrian Suicide Hypothesis (FUSH), which states that population differences in genetic risk factors may partially account for conspicuous geographical patterns seen in suicide prevalence. ..."
Wade, M. J. (2007). "The co-evolutionary genetics of ecological communities." Nat Rev Genet 8(3): 185-195. "New methods from molecular genetics and comparative genomics, in conjunction with advances in evolutionary genetic theory, are for the first time providing tools for detecting, investigating and understanding the genetic bases of the co-adaptive process and co-speciation. . ..."
Weinstein, L. B. (2007). "Selected genetic disorders affecting Ashkenazi Jewish families." Fam Community Health 30(1): 50-62. "Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern European ancestry have a disproportionately high prevalence of several autosomal recessive genetic disorders. This article describes these 9 disorders and their genetic inheritance patterns. Genetic testing, counseling, and family planning options for the at-risk population are described. The role of the community health nurse is addressed. ..."
Weiss, S. F. (2006). "Human genetics and politics as mutually beneficial resources: The case of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Anthropology, Human Heredity and Eugenics during the Third Reich." J Hist Biol 39(1): 41-88. "This essay analyzes one of Germany's former premier research institutions for biomedical research, the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Anthropology, Human Heredity and Eugenics (KWIA) as a test case for the way in which politics and human heredity served as resources for each other during the Third Reich. The present study suggests that during the Nazi period the symbiotic relationship between human genetics and politics served to radicalize both. The dynamic between the science of human heredity and Nazi politics changed the research practice of some of the biomedical sciences housed at the KWIA. It also simultaneously made it easier for the Nazi state to carry out its barbaric racial program leading, finally, to the extermination of millions of so-called racial undesirables. ..."
Whitehead, N. S., S. A. Rasmussen, et al. (2006). "Prevalence and predictors of receipt of prenatal information about genetic screening." Prenat Diagn 26(10): 944-50."OBJECTIVE: To examine the proportion of women who received information on genetic screening among those who had prenatal care and to determine whether the proportion varied by maternal characteristics. Most women receive information on prenatal genetic screening, but insurance status and language preference may impact women's access to this information. ..."
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