![]() |
|
![]()
April 2nd, 2012
03:54 PM ET
A warning against genetic testingIf you follow health news, you’ve heard talk about a person's “genetic risk" of disease. With companies offering personalized genetic tests for as little as $200, it’s tempting to think that a world of knowledge is at our fingertips. But a new paper from some of the leading names in science throws a bit of cold water on the promise. According to a group from Johns Hopkins University, led by two scientists known for breakthrough discoveries on the genetics of cancer, genomic sequencing “fails to provide informative guidance to most people about their risk for most common diseases.” That's why, at this point in time, "prudent screening, early diagnosis and prevention strategies, such as not smoking and removing early cancers, will be the keys to cutting disease death rate," according to Dr.Bert Vogelstein, M.D.,co-director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. He says that if someone is relying on a whole genome test to be the crystal ball that predicts their likelihood of getting cancer, they will be disappointed. Experts are also concerned about people ordering genomes off the Internet. If someone receives information without the proper context from a doctor or genetic counselor, it could give them a false sense of security and stop them from taking preventative measures. Nicholas Roberts, one of the study authors and a graduate student at Johns Hopkins says that even in the best case scenario, the majority of people who have their whole genome tested will get a negative test result - that means the results do not reveal any genes that cause cancer. But that doesn't mean they won't get cancer. More than just genes contribute to someone getting the disease. Nathan Pearson, director of research at Knome, a company that sequences whole genomes for researchers, praised the study and said it helps to think of our genes as being like a musical score. Two performers can be seeing the same notes in front of them, yet sound quite different. “There are many different renditions,” says Pearson. “You can improvise.” Pearson explains what he found when he sequenced the genome of Ozzy Osbourne. To reach their conclusion, the Hopkins group performed a set of straightforward calculations, based on the studies of identical twins. They looked at the strength of the link between genes and disease for each of 24 different ailments. As they point out, "[Identical] twins in general do not always develop or die from the same maladies.” While their tone is cautious, they point out that some common diseases have a much stronger genetic component than others. Based on twin studies, genetic testing might some day predict more than 90% of coronary heart disease deaths in men, and more than 90% of all Alzheimer’s cases. By contrast, testing could predict fewer than a third of lung cancers, breast cancers, leukemia and ovarian cancers. These figures are based on a “best-case scenario,” in which complete genomes have been examined for millions or tens of millions of individuals. The state of knowledge today is much more primitive. According to Pearson, current genetic testing is most useful when analyzing individual cancer cells, or in finding the causes of rare diseases, in which a single mutation leads to devastating results. Some pitches seem to promise more. The website of 23AndMe, a company which offers genetic tests directly to consumers, urges people to “Take a more active role in managing your health,” and promises that “knowing your genes may impact your health, can help you plan for the future and personalize your healthcare with your doctor.” 23AndMe does not analyze the full genome of its customers, but rather sections of the genome whose influence is relatively well-known. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on 23AndMe and genetic testing for African-Americans David Hinds, principal scientist for statistical genetics at 23AndMe, says the company makes sure that customers don’t expect too much. “At this stage the presumption is that this testing has no clinical utility.” He agreed with the paper’s authors, who say genetic tests will never replace current disease prevention strategies. “It’s just another piece of information.” |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
I couldnít refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
http://www.pt-br.paltalk.com/client/webapp/client/External.wmt?url=www.optometristphoenixaz.com/
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the good writing.
https://publishing.brookes.ac.uk/?URL=ocrvmotorsports.net
After looking into a few of the articles on your site, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and tell me your opinion.
https://partnerpage.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https3A2F2Fmaseratiforum.net&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaY_nlK9ozc51fqwjiVdMaYZL7rg
This blog was... how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Kudos!
https://plus.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&url=https3A2F2Fwebdesignpostfalls.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaY_nlK9ozc51fqwjiVdMaYZL7rg
Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return once again since I book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
http://attachmate-wrq.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=nearmyspot.com/
https://italfarmaco.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://reviewnearme.com/
http://asc128.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
Right here is the right webpage for everyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need toÖHaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which has been written about for decades. Great stuff, just wonderful!
http://canasvieiras.com.br/redireciona.php?url=https://ocrvcenter.com/
http://www.fleshlight.la/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestlocalnearme.com
http://www.okayama-tbox.jp/kosodate/topics/344/logging?url=https://nearmyspot.com
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I donít understand why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
http://www.kamionaci.cz/redirect.php?url=http://ocrvcenter.com/
http://newenergi.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=quotenearme.com
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It's the little changes that will make the most significant changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
http://www.morozo.org/exec/out.cgi?id=sioman&url=https://ocrvcenter.com/
May I simply just say what a relief to find a person that genuinely knows what they're talking about over the internet. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should read this and understand this side of your story. It's surprising you're not more popular since you most certainly possess the gift.
http://hardwareonwheels.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://www.keepamericamoving.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bulknearme.com
I absolutely love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as Iím wanting to create my own personal website and would like to know where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Thank you!
http://instawall.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.biz
Right here is the right website for everyone who wishes to understand this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need toÖHaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic that's been written about for decades. Great stuff, just wonderful!
http://corporatecoffeesystems.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleetservicesocrv.com
http://www.rootcanalsmiami.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleettruckrepairshop.com
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
https://www.schoolfinder.com/Tracking/WeblinkClicks.aspx?SchoolCode=uglio15&ProfileType=University&LinkType=SocialLink3&RedirectURL=https://ocrvmotorsports.biz
http://iquali11.enviodecampanhas.net/registra_clique.php?id=TH|teste|105262|1367&url=http://ocrv.vip/
After looking into a handful of the blog posts on your web site, I truly like your way of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
http://postni.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleettruckrepairshop.com
hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200 mg oral tablet https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life authors and blogs
http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html
http://www.trackwiz.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.mobi
http://daviscupstore.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.fleetrepairshops.com/
http://www.seedstamps.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=sprintervanrepairshop.com
I needed to thank you for this great read!! I certainly loved every bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to check out new things you postÖ
http://msgtogo.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=mastermindofmen.com
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!
http://www.radio90.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.sprinterrepairnearme.com
Hi! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great info you have right here on this post. I will be returning to your site for more soon.
https://visitbinghamton.org/wp-content/themes/vb/sv-update-hits.php?id=245&url=http://fleettruckrepairshop.com/
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your website is useful. Many thanks for sharing!
http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&link=https://fleetautorepairshop.com/
http://www.yim.com.cn/sal/Transaction.asp?domain=www.consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
http://claymoreaetfs.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvmotorsports.us
http://www.labelsondemand.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvcenter.com
https://www.photonics-society.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
http://vinumventures.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvcenter.com
After looking into a number of the articles on your blog, I seriously appreciate your way of blogging. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website too and tell me how you feel.
http://raguweb.net/outlink/link.php?url=https://www.ocrv.store
After looking into a number of the blog posts on your site, I honestly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website as well and tell me your opinion.
http://wildernessconditioningcenter.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
There is definately a lot to know about this issue. I love all the points you made.
http://ideapunch.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorcoaches.com
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the highest quality websites on the web. I will recommend this website!
http://weddingexchange.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
An impressive share! I've just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch because I found it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your site.
http://www.automation-forum.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
Saved as a favorite, I love your site!
http://www.headveins.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=local-business-video-marketing.com
http://go.e-frontier.co.jp/rd2.php?uri=http://meticulousjess.com
https://customsexpert.ru/out.php?link=http://ocrv.mobi/
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for supplying this info.
http://love.cnj.info/cute/out.cgi?id=10415&url=https://spokanevalleywebdesign.com
http://oceansalts.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.store
Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I get actually loved account your blog posts.
Anyway I will be subscribing in your augment and even I
achievement you get right of entry to persistently quickly.
http://weavernation.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.us
http://www.puttingittogether.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvart.com
http://www.mommy2be.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.info
Howdy! I could have sworn Iíve visited this web site before but after browsing through many of the posts I realized itís new to me. Anyhow, Iím certainly delighted I found it and Iíll be book-marking it and checking back often!
http://andftaxresoltuion.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvluxurycoaches.com