ELSI in NBS

TAG of the Week:

Imagine this scenario: 

"The Government has my Baby's DNA! " cried a new mother who just found out her baby's blood has been sampled so the baby can be tested for a series of life-threatening diseases. While she is thankful that her baby has been tested negative, she is still upset that her baby's DNA remains in the hands of the government … Is that really true? If so, what's the big deal ? 

In the past few years, newborn screening programs across the world have taken some heat from the public. While the program was originally initiated to protect and to serve families, many advocates have taken a new twist to the population-based screening. General public miscommunication and misinterpretation of the original purpose of newborn screening could possibly shut down one of the most life-saving  and cost-effective programs for public health. 

Read this link, and compare your thoughts about the Scotland's situation with other countires (such as the US, UK, Asia … etc).  Incorporate what you've learned this week's lessons  and discuss the 'ethical, legal, and social issues' (ELSI) that have or have not been considered in this current news on newborn screening (NBS).  What would be your recommendations?

http://www.phgfoundation.org/news/15345/

OR1. You can share the new, 'surprising' information you learned2. Ask a question that needs additional clarification, 3. Share a news link relevant to the discussion.  4. Reply to another student's comment.

Gene-Environment

TAG of the Week:

Here are the link and questions that follow, for the blog next week- 

Read this new article titled "USC Scientists Show Gene-Environment Interaction Augments Risk for Developing Autism"

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20131202/USC-scientists-show-gene-environment-interaction-augments-risk-for-developing-autism.aspx

After reading "Challenges and opportunities in genome-wide environmental

interaction (GWEI) studies" by Hugues et al and the news article above, briefly describe some of the strengths and limitations and future applications of Gene-Environment Interaction Studies.

OR

1. You can share the new, 'surprising' information you learned
2. Ask a question that needs additional clarification, 
3. Share a news link relevant to the discussion.  
4. Reply to another student's comment.

GWAS

TAG of the Week:

After reading "How to Use an Article About Genetic Association C: What Are the Results and Will They Help Me

in Caring for My Patients?" by Attia et al. and "The Positives, Protocols, and Perils of Genome-Wide Association" by Purcell and Neale, briefly describe the strengths, limitations, and future applications of Genetic Association studies?

Choose one of the four following activities and share your response in the "Comment Section below":
1. You can share the new, 'surprising' information you learned
2. Ask a question that needs additional clarification,
3. Share a news link relevant to the discussion. 
4. Reply to another student's comment. 

New Treatment Options?

CUTAG of the Week: New Treatment Options?

Read this news link titled "Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Controlling HIV"

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Sangamo_genetics_1667_24579.shtml

Based on this week's discussion on HIV, genetics, treatment, and, the news article above, do you think gene therapy has a promising future as a treatment for HIV/AIDS? Describe the strengths and limitations of your argument.    


OR choose one of the four following activities and share your response in the "Comment Section below":
1. You can share the new, 'surprising' information you learned
2. Ask a question that needs additional clarification,
3. Share a news link relevant to the discussion. 
4. Reply to another student's comment.

TAG of the Week:

Welcome to HS320 Genomics in Public Health Spring Semester 2014.

The impact of epigenetic factors on health and disease is increasingly becoming more evident than previously expected (in the Pre-Human Genome Project era). Watch the short video clip on the "The Ghost in your Genes".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toRIkRa1fYU

Based on the class discussion, readings, lecture, and video, briefly share a new insight you learned this week. You can discuss about epigenetics, breast cancer, and/or any other new information. 

Choose one of the four following activities and share your response in the "Comment Section below"
1. You can share the new, 'surprising' information you learned
2. Ask a question that needs additional clarification,
3. Share a news link relevant to the discussion on epigenetics. 
4. Reply to another student's comment.

Animal Genome

CUTAG of the Week:

Many studies focusing on human disease have employed use non-human primate (NHP) or mamalian animal subjects, such as Rhesus monkeys and mice, respectively.  Other organisms, however, have genes comparable to those of people and the utility of their genomes being mapped for similar studies can be unfortunatey overlooked.  By observing zebrafish, genetic information crucial to the underlying mechanism of Native American myopathy has been gained.  What major limitations do the original researchers account for (original article citation is included at the bottom)?  Are their conclusions fairly and accurately summarized by Science Daily?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130604135456.htm

Better Drugs

CUTAG of the Week:

The p53 protein has been long-established as a tumor supressor protein and pharmaceuticals continue to accommodate its role in cancer in many of their drugs.  How do you think the present study’s findings will most likely affect future drug development?  What strategies would you choose to pursue as the most effective in addressing the p21/PUMA ratio discussed?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130522123210.htm

It's all about Organic

CUTAG of the Week:

In the recent decade we have seen a movement toward organic, antibiotic-free, and non-GMO (among other qualities) products.  Do you assent with much of the biotechnology industry, which claims altering organisms for mass production is no more harmful (and possibly better) than artificial selection and traditional agricultural methods?  What type of studies would demonstrate the benefits of GMOs?  What are some potential consequences that GMO advocates need to account concerning introducing new organisms into our environment?

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=labels-for-gmo-foods-are-a-bad-idea

Direct to Consumer

TAG of the Week:

Many private companies offer genetic testing directly to consumers (i.e., without the mediation of clinical staff, genetic counselors, or other professionals).  One of the major concerns public health practitioners, health professionals, and other stakeholders have with this is how those not fluent in genomics or medicine may manage their decisions based on the potential abundance of genetic risks communicated.  Do targeted services, such as personalized diets for weight loss, circumvent or compound this problem?  Does Inherent Health adequately explain their methods?  Would more information on the tests and/or genetic information reported to clients be more beneficial or harmful?

http://www.inherenthealth.com/about-us/who-we-are/help-you-improve.aspx

The Downside of Implants

CUTAG of the Week:

Extensive research has shown that a mutation in the gene HER2, along with other genes, can increase one’s likelihood of developing breast cancer. Recently, many women who have discovered that they carry this mutation have gotten single or double mastectomies, in hopes of decreasing their cancers of developing breast cancer. Many women, after undergoing such procedures, may receive breast implants. With current evidence showing that breast implants may make it much more difficult to detect breast cancer at its early stages and thus make it harder to treat, do you think that women with the genetic predisposition to develop breast cancer should be discouraged from getting implants? If it is found that implants are in fact a direct cause of breast cancer, should a debate be started in perhaps stopping breast implant procedures?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130430194312.htm