Genetics and Health

November 11th, 2008

Note to self: Genetic risk is an estimate

I chanced upon this article - Genetic testing under the microscope - in the Los Angeles Times of an interview with the President of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Angela Trepanier, and she presents an interesting perspective on the future of personalized medicine.
In the near future, Trepanier says that genetic testing will […]

By Grace Ibay -- 0 comments

October 24th, 2008

Living with genetic disease

Being diagnosed with a genetic disease, and one that has no cure or treatment, is probably one of most heart-wrenching news ever. To be told that one has Alzheimer’s disease for example, or one is a very high risk or diagnosis of some incurable form of cancer, what does one do? How does one […]

By Grace Ibay -- 0 comments

October 16th, 2008

Illinois Medicaid covers genetic tests for breast/ovarian cancer

Good news for the state of Illinois!
Women who are at high risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer will receive insurance coverage under Medicaid. Genetic tests for BRCA1 and BRCA2, and counseling will be available for low-income women with a strong family history of breast cancer or previous cancer diagnosis, writes the Chigaco […]

By Grace Ibay -- 0 comments

October 7th, 2008

New test for Down Syndrome - safer than amniocentesis

There was one compelling reason why I opted out of genetic testing with my last pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage due to amniocentesis was the same as the risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome.
Amniocentesis is considered the gold standard, but it’s an invasive procedure with a 1/100 risk for miscarriage, the same […]

By Grace Ibay -- 0 comments

November 29th, 2006

Response to Genetics Article in The Jewish Standard

In response to the series of genetics articles published in The Jewish Standard last week, I asked Lisa Lee of DNA Direct to share her thoughts specifically on the article about direct-to-consumer genetic testing by Dr. Miryam Wahrman.

DNA Direct offers medical tests and provides information about medical guidelines for appropriateness of testing. For example, ACOG […]

By Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD -- 1 comment