Genomics in the Media

TAG of the Week: Genomics in the Media

[Thank you to HS320 students who shared several links on fun genomics].

Genomics is becoming increasingly popular in film, social media, and games.  Can you find other online tools (i.e. video, TV show, movies, cartoon ... etc) that highlights genomics in a fun, and educational manner? Share the link. Briefly describes how the example relates to genomics.

Here are example of genomics showcased in the following:

In a video game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VqvNuSzsKM

In a cartoon: 
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_loulk8ZoIe1qluz27o1_500.gif

In the movie: Jurassic Park 3D
As one student shared: "In the beginning, they had a clip on how they extracted DNA from dinosaurs. They found mosquitoes that sucked the blood from dinosaurs in the past and the mosquitoes would land on trees and get covered/harden in sap. Years later, researchers found these mosquitoes and extracted blood from them, which contained dinosaur DNA!"

In the TV Show:  Grey's Anatomy
Meredith finds out that she has the Alzheimer's gene after she's had her genome mapped.

http://tvline.com/2013/04/02/greys-anatomy-season-9-spoilers-video-meredith-alzheimers-gene/

Human Brain Map

TAG of the Week:

[Thank you to another HS320 genomic student for sharing this link] 

As stated in the article, "Every dollar we invested to map the human genome returned $140 to our economy — every dollar," the president said. "Today, our scientists are mapping the human brain to unlock the answers to Alzheimer's."

As in most research project, scientists will study the brain of fruitflies and then other small animals. Once the technique is optimized, the human brain will be next.  However, within a limited financial and resources allocation, can we really afford these multiple levels of effort to study the brain map? Or can we expect to have similar health benefits like our investment (i.e. our tax dollars) on the human genome map?  Cures for Alzheimer's diseases, neurological diseases, and mental health illness can be possible by understanding the etiology, the connection between neurons (or lack of connections), and the topological effects.  As we explored in class, with any 'novel investment' of a huge, ambitious project, we must consider some potential harms and unintended consequences.

As a tax-player citizens, what are questions that you'd like to ask the scientists undertaking this Human Brain Map, or concerns you'd like to express to this team?

NPR clip: Somewhere Over The Brainbow: The Journey To Map the Human Brain (dated Mar 31, 2013)

http://n.pr/XPX2Oo

Supreme Court's Decision Myriad Genetics

TAG of the Week:  Supreme Court's Decision Myriad Genetics on Monday 4/15 !

[Thank you to two HS320 genomic students for sending this link and NPR clip]

As we discussed earlier in the semester, Myriad Genetics not only holds the patent on the two breast cancer genes, but also '"own the largest database that tells patients what various mutations mean".  Myriad also releases these report to 'prospective' doctors and companies. But do they have the rights to release patients' history for their profitability, without notifying the consumer who purchased their product?

On Monday April 15, 2013, the Supreme Court will make their decision on patents. [Class, keep a look-out on the news on 4/15 - the outcome may affect your response or not].  In regards to the court's decisions, genetic researchers are trying to obtain Myriad's database to design studies to understand the association of disease and genetic risk. While it seems noble that geneticists are contributing to the "greater goods with better science" (and not for profit), where do we draw the line between public vs. private causes?

Some questions to ponder in your response:
What do you hope the Supreme Court will decide on?  But do you think this database should be made 'public'? Why or why not?  Did the article mention anything about the social implications from the patient's perspectives? What are your thoughts on this?  Who is advocating for the consumer's right for ownership of their genomic data? Can the consumer of Myriad Genetic refuse for public release of their genomic data (even if it is 'de-identified' - and exactly how anonymous is this DNA information)? [Read/Listen to the second link of a NPR clip on 'Anonymity In Genetic Research Can Be Fleeting']


Supreme Court Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/13/health/dna-project-aims-to-make-companys-data-public.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&


NPR Article:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/01/17/169609144/anonymity-in-genetic-research-can-be-fleeting

Stem Cell Therapy

TAG of the Week:

Future of stem cell therapy.

(This article was suggested by a fellow HS320 student.)

Recently, we learned the different types of stem cells, and their applications in treatment.  Here is a research study that indicates the possibility of growing bones from your stem cells.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130402090826.htm

Early this year 2013, the courts revisited the issues on embroynic stem cells.  

The use of iPS cells "could solve the controversary" :

http://www.nature.com/news/court-lifts-cloud-over-embryonic-stem-cells-1.12215

Understanding the potential use of stem cells is critical and the acknowledgement of possible harm and misuse are equally important. 

Do you agree or disagree with the court decision? Why? What implications can the court decision have on the bone regeneration? What could be potential benefits and harms? ( think about what we learned about Internet based business models on marketing research directed products)