However, before routine genetic screening of infants even approaches reality, many questions need answers, including whether genetic sequencing can accurately identify babies who will develop a disease, according to Dr. Joseph A. Bocchini Jr., chairman of the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. The committee evaluates scientific evidence and makes recommendations to… Read More »
Queensland scientists have developed a test they hope could be “the holy grail” for diagnosing cancer. The test has been developed by University of Queensland researchers who have discovered a unique DNA nanostructure that appears to be common to all cancers. Researcher Professor Matt Trau says this has enabled an entirely new non-invasive approach to… Read More »
Note: Bill of the Month feature is a crowdsourced collaboration between Kaiser Health News and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills. It is being republished with permission. Janet Winston had a rash that wouldn’t go away. The English professor from Eureka, California, always had been sensitive to ingredients in skin creams and cosmetics. This… Read More »
What is a PTEN genetic test? A PTEN genetic test looks for a change, known as a mutation, in a gene called PTEN. Genes are the basic units of heredity passed down from your mother and father. The PTEN gene helps stop the growth of tumors. It’s known as a tumor suppressor. A tumor suppressor… Read More »
The FDA has just approved 23andMe’s Personal Genomic Service (PGS) Pharmacogenetic Reports. This marks the first direct-to-consumer test for pharmacogenetics of enzyme variants that may affect the way patients break down medications. Consumers collect their saliva into 23andMe’s testing kit, mail it to the company’s labs, and then receive the results via an online portal.… Read More »