Concerns about ancestral DNA testing, by genetics society
November 15, 2008 by Grace Ibay
Filed under Evolution and Ancestry, Genetic Testing
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Did you know that Angelina Jolie is a distant cousin of Camilla the Duchess, Madonna, Shania Twain AND Hilary Clinton?
Man has an innate itch to find out where he came from, be it by evolution or ancestry. In a way it helps us connect with people from our past and gives us roots. So it’s no surprise that DNA testing for ancestry or population of origin has mushroomed in the past few years with the growth of direct-to-consumer companies.
Now, the American Society of Human Genetics is concerned about the implications of carrying out such tests without guidelines and oversight. The society presented a recommendation paper to the academe, and to the 30 companies involved in ancestral genetics testing.
Image credit: Newscom
Towards a unified policy on consumer genetic testing
November 3, 2008 by Grace Ibay
Filed under Genetic Testing, Genetics of Drug Response, Legislation, Policies, Ethics, Law
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With all the growing excitement, hype and inquiry surrounding personal genome testing, I was wondering when the National Institute of Health would join the fun.
With a $600,000 grant from the NHRGI, the Genetics and Public Policy Center of Johns Hopkins will begin conducting studies to understand the new direct-to-consumer genetic testing industry. And it’s about time.
