“… something borrowed, something blue!”

Nah, no one is getting married from Genetics and Health. But the quote is apt at describing the changes at this site in the next few weeks.

Genetics and Health has been a terrific place to get information on (almost) every topic covered by the fields of genetics, health and medicine. But I am so thrilled about the upbeat direction that the site is headed, because it will reach a wider base of readers, be more reader-friendly and you will love the new look!

Genetics can be intimidating (even I feel that way, believe me), and that’s what I want to change. At least I’ll try my best to. So we’ll have a weekly feature that explains genes in simpler terms. We’ll have fun with mini-quizzes and stuff that students can use. I’m interested in bringing in more stories from those who know family or have personal genetic conditions. Mine is a very strong family history of allergies. I absorb anything in the literature that help me understand it better and help my family manage our allergies. I am sure my stories can help someone else, and vice versa.

So anyway, these are some of the changes I have in mind. Do you have other things you want Genetics and Health to cover? I welcome suggestions!

Read more

Genetically modified corn was found to lower the fertility and body weight in mice, reports an study (translated in English) commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety. 

Austrian scientist found that mice who were fed for over 20 weeks with GM corn developed by Monsanto decreased their liter size around the third-fourth generation compared to the control group.

The Institute for Responsible Technology immediately issued a "moratorium" on the distribution of GM food products until their "safety are undeniably established". Monsanto responded to the news and statements made by Greenpeace about their products, and I quote:

The Greenpeace press statement is inconsistent with over a decade of reputable, peer-reviewed, scientific studies, including multi-generational studies, which demonstrate and confirm the safety of GM crops.

“These products have been proven to be safe. This report does not provide any basis to conclude otherwise,” said Jerry Hjelle, Ph.D., Vice President of Monsanto’s regulatory group.

Mutations in a gene called FIGLA cause premature ovarian failure in at least 1% of women who suffer from the disorder, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and Shandong University in China in a report that appears online in the American Journal of Human Genetics. Premature ovarian failure, which means that the ovaries lose function before age 40, not only causes infertility but also bone and heart problems.  Ovarian reserves are important for women’s health.

FIGLA is one of four transcription factors found to control the differentiation of egg cells early in development. Transcription factors govern the activity of genes, turning them off and on and modulating the extent to which they are active.  The other genes involved include NOBOX, GDF9 and BMP 15.  Mutations in these can lead to premature ovarian failure as well.

“We hope to define majority of the genes that are part of the cellular pathways involved in ovarian failure,”said Dr. Aleksandar Rajkovic, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at BCM and senior author of the paper.

“Ideally in the future we will offer a test to women to look at all the genes involved in premature ovarian failure.”

He anticipates that a gene chip would be helpful in such diagnosis, which can help in counseling women or their children about the risk of early ovarian failure.

For up to date information on fertility and women’s health, visit my b5 friend Gabrielle at www.fertilitynotes.com

Elaine Warburton  www.geneticsandhealth.com