Talk

Do I have a bee in my bonnet about the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act? Perhaps. But so does IBM.

Did you know that in 2005 IBM became the first major corporation in the world to establish a genetics privacy policy that prohibits current or prospective employees’ genetic information from being used in any employment decisions? I didn’t until today.

Today IBM’s Chief Privacy Officer, Harriet Pearson, will testify before congress about the importance of genetic non-discrimination.

Pearson, architect of IBM’s genetic non-discrimination policy, will testify, “The reasons for making genetic privacy part of our broader discrimination protections are clear to us: first, a person’s genetic profile or makeup should be treated the same as other innate human characteristics, including one’s race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age or physical abilities. Simply stated, a person’s genetic profile is as natural and as inseparable from who they are as any other physical trait or attribute.” (more…)

When I was in grade school in the 1970s we celebrated the bicentennial of the United States. In my memory, it was the biggest, longest birthday party ever. A big theme in our studies before and during 1976 was the US as the “Great Melting Pot” — of people, of languages, of cultures. Schoolhouse Rock even provided the illustrations.

Now it’s the 2000s and, guess what, I’m still talking about the melting pot phenomenon with colleagues. But this time, it’s the melting pot analogy* applies in terms our genes:

“Pharmacogenetics/genomics has the potential to benefit people worldwide and to reduce the health disparities between developing and developed nations. This goal is unlikely to be achieved by relinquishing the notion of personalized drug therapy tailored to individual genetic characteristics–the original promise of pharmacogenetics–in favor of a model (pharmacogenomic?) of population-based drug development and prescription, with all its potential pitfalls, especially when extended to admixed populations in developing or developed nations.”

(more…)

I’m a bit late to the dance, but the latest edition of Mendel’s Garden is up at Neurotopia v2.0. Next month the carnival will be held over at Hsien’s Genetics & Health blog.

Technorati Tags: mendel’s garden, blog carnival, genetics

How long do you think we will continue open our papers or turn on our radios and learn about a new gene that has been discovered — years, decades or generations?

Chinese scientists at the Tianjin Blood Center have discovered a new gene, one crucial in matching organ transplants. The World Health Organization has named it HLA-B-9518. … Scientists worldwide have found, so far, over 2500 HLA alleles, which are widely used in organ transplant matching, paternity testing, human genetics and other fields.

(From CCTV)

Technorati Tags: genes, human genome, hla, organ transplant

Francis Crick. Thanks to Matt Ridley’s recent book, Crick is back as the subject of cocktail party gossip. Recently, I re-read The Double Helix, James Watson’s account of their discovery of DNA. (I have the 1969 edition). The New Scientist has a great podcast interview with Ridley about how Crick was so unlike many great scientists of history: “Gene Genius“, 3 November 2006.

What Would You Do With a $1000 Genome? Nature Genetics asked the question of a five genomic leaders, and a number of bloggers, including RPM over at evolgen. Jason, I think this warrants a public perspective from The Personal Genome….

Waking up Earlier than the Early Bird. A genetic discovery behind familial advanced sleep phase syndrome may shed light on the complicated workings and regulation of the normal body clock. Insomniacs, take note, more hope!

Technorati Tags: francis crick, matt ridley, dna, discovery of dna, the double helix, 00 genome, fasps, genes and sleep, sleep disorders, genetics

Who expected the President to get behind this ? Not I! But hey, he’s helped the issue garner headlines. (Let’s just hope his backing has a positive effect on Congress.)

“If a person is willing to share his or her genetic information, it is important that that information not be exploited in improper ways,” Mr. Bush said at the National Institutes of Health. “And Congress can pass good legislation to prevent that from happening.” He added, “We want medical research to go forward without an individual fearing personal discrimination.”

NY Times coverage

Technorati Tags: genetic discrimination, genetic privacy, legislation

Good news for everyone who’s been concerned about genetic information and privacy! The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) will provide important protections against the misuse of genetic information. This is very important legislation. To ensure the passage of this legislation, GINA’s sponsors need support from the people it affects — us.

The Genetic Alliance is collecting letters of support to help build momentum in Congress. You can use one of their sample letters or draft your own. Then email, fax or mail your letter to the Genetic Alliance offices by January 22.

GINA’s sponsors in the House and Senate have been championing genetic nondiscrimination on the Hill for over a decade. So they really deserve a thank you, too.

Technorati Tags: genetic discrimination, legislation, gina, genetic alliance, genetic privacy

The Washington Post has an unusually lengthly article on DNA testing to determine warfarin dosing. Recently, I blogged about the launch of this testing: “Warfarin Sensitivity Test Launches.”

Warfarin (brand name Coumadin) is a popular blood-thinning medication used by about 2 million Americans. It’s prescribed after surgeries, strokes, blood clots, and to prevent blood clots. Medco Health Solutions and the Mayo Clinic are collaborating on a project using this testing to determine initial dosing for patients.

Epstein and other experts say the warfarin projects comprise the first broad use of personalized medicine, or targeted therapy, in which a person’s genetic makeup is used to pick the best medicine or dose. This approach essentially adjusts for differences in body chemistry that explain why one pain reliever or allergy pill works great for you but not for your mom. … (more…)

Happy new year, everyone! I just returned from an unusually exciting break (more on that in later posts) to find that genetic testing is the cover story of this week’s US News & World Reports:

Unraveling Your DNA’s Secrets: Do-it-yourself genetic tests promise to reveal your risk of coming down with a disease. But do they really deliver?

Also, you can now listen to public radio’s December 21 Health Dialogues’ program online:

Genes, Disease and Difference

The program begins with the story of a woman who pursued genetic testing for tamoxifen efficacy, but the panel discussion is wide-ranging, with perspectives from all over the industry.

Technorati Tags: news, dna, genetic testing, disease risk, tamoxifen, media coverage