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The new PHG Foundation report, an independent expert response to the UK Government report on Genomic Medicine (18 May), was warmly received by the medical and scientific communities, and commended in the subsequent House of Lords debate on 9th June.
Genetic testing and regulation
Genetic testing has featured heavily in news from the US this month, with warnings from the FDA that unlicensed commercial personalised genomics tests were not legal (20 May) quickly followed by confirmation that genetic tests are to be regulated as devices (14 June). The PHG Foundation supports the provision of clear and accurate information for consumers; the NIH have been consulting this month on their plans to establish a Genetic Test Registry to serve this very purpose (8 June).
Genetics and medicine
An international consortium has published a consensus statement in support of the use of chromosomal microarray analysis for first-line genetic investigation of children (28 May), whilst the leading UK cancer research charity has announced major funding for trials of genetic tumour profiling to direct treatment (4 June) and the World Health Organization passed a new resolution to address the health burden of birth defects, many of which are genetic in origin (27 May).
Public health
Another new PHG Foundation report examines the evidence to support expansion of the current UK newborn screening panel to include additional rare inherited metabolic disorders (6 June). Also this month, we welcome the publication of a paper in the Journal of Public Health on specialist services for genetic eye disorders – it is heartening to see an increasing interest in genetics from within mainstream public health [Burton H, Alberg C, Moore AT J Public Health (Oxf) 2010 32(2): 259-266]
Genetic research
A new genome research centre has opened in Sweden (27 May), and epidemiological studies have revealed links between genetic and environmental factors and breast cancer risk (4 June), and blood fat levels and coronary artery disease risk (14 May). A gene has been linked with infectious disease susceptibility (25 May), and the first results from the Human Microbiome Project have been released, revealing information about commensal bacteria (24 May). Copy number variants (CNVs) have been linked with epilepsy and other neurological conditions (2 June), whilst progress in synthetic biology has provoked ongoing ethical debate (21 May).
Policy and public involvement
As the key charity supporting people with genetic disorders in the UK relaunches under a new name (7 June), there have been calls for public consultation on a draft report about genetics education (7 June) and for greater public involvement to improve the technology assessment process in the US (17 May). Blood samples kept for medical research are to be returned to Brazilian tribes (11 June).
New reviews and commentaries
Our selection of recent articles of interest (1 June)
Other recent news and research
Faulty gene leads to protein buildup in Alzheimer's
Scientists find gene links to vitamin D deficiency
Genetic testing company sends wrong results
The $30 Genome?
Developing countries call on WHO to focus on public health not drug patents
Genetic mutation shown to trigger melanoma
Gene therapy created for heart failure
Mouse project to find each gene’s role
UN raises priority of non-communicable diseases
The genetics dilemma facing doctors
Genome-wide association studies need larger sample sizes
Gene mutation linked to congenital heart disease
NHS uses babies’ blood for secret database
Gene therapy shows promise for Muscular Dystrophy
Between the genes - making sense of genomic 'dark matter'
1000 Genomes Project to sequence 2,500 genomes by end of next year
Researchers find genetic secrets to common kidney cancer
Genetics shine new light on old diseases
Gene-silencing method to boost level of ‘good’ cholesterol in mice
Genetic pattern may predict leukemia relapse
New Alzheimer's risk genes identified
New mutant genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis
The code within the code
Stem cell patent ruled invalid
Gene's role in atrial fibrillation studied
See also the Genomics & Health Weekly Update from the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics and the GenInfo Monthly Newsletter from HumGen.
For our events listing, go to http://www.phgfoundation.org/events
Full listing of new additions to our website at: http://www.phgfoundation.org/whats_new.php
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