Just these past weeks I read about three articles about misconduct of postdoctoral fellows and research scientists.
The first was from a UCLA professor who falsified data on cancer treatment research, and used the data for grants and a publication. In 2005, Mai Nguyen was barred from conducting research for three years, but she has since published 10 articles under her married name, and continues to teach at UCLA.
The second misconduct came from a UCSF postdoctoral fellow who changed her own data files (36 files!) and changed images from another researcher’s experiments. None of Nima Afshar’s results were published anywhere, …read more

G&H’s INTERVIEW WITH NAVIGENICS
Navigenics approached Genetics and Health for an interview. With so much written about similar genomics companies such as 23andme, Knome, deCODE genetics, I was intrigued to learn more about this company.  In particular, Navigenics appears to be the only company within this industry genre who provides a comprehensive wellness model – a healthcare model that Opaldia, the genetic screening and health surveillance company I founded, endorsed whole-heartedly. 
I interviewed Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael A Nierenberg MD, clinical professor of medicine, emeritus at Stanford University to find out what makes Navigenics stand out amongst its competition.  He was …read more

Concluding G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the challenges faced by Navigenics to integrate its genomic services into mainstream medicine … 

When founding my old company Opaldia, probably the single most challenging aspect of early adoption of genetic testing was physician barriers.  Mostly this was borne out of a genuine lack of understanding about the field of genetics but also concerns that testing was too much in its infancy and tests had not been subject to rigorous clinical evaluation.  Time and again the phrase ‘not undergone prospective trials’ was used as a defense against bringing genetic testing into …read more

In this fifth article in the series of articles originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director, Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the contentious issue of whole genomic testing.
Navigenics uses Affymetrix’s gene chip which is able to test around 1 million genetic markers.  However Navigenics has initially focused on 18 specific, treatable diseases which form the foundation of its designated SNP panel.  This panel will expand over time.   
I asked the question of what happened to a member’s DNA – whether it was disposed of or stored.  Dr Nierenberg explained that a member’s DNA was stored in anticipation of future …read more

In this third article originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director, Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the whole issue of SNP testing and how SNPs can be used in disease risk assessment.
Navigenics has focused on around 100 of the most definitive research papers on SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) that have been most strongly associated with 18 particular diseases such as breast cancer, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease.  The company has built an algorithm (mathematical computer program) that estimates the risk of a healthy person developing a disease if their genome has the relevant SNP. 
The company has spent immense time …read more

This second article originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg takes a look at the service you will receive if you subscribe to Navigenics’ genomic wellness service.
The Navigenics service 
When you sign up to the Navigenics service you effectively enrol as a member and not as a patient or customer.   For US$2,500 you subscribe to an annual package which includes a genomic scan to identify your lifetime risk (compared to an average American male or female) of developing 18 core, treatable diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s and type II diabetes.  Included in the package is on-line …read more

This is the first article originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg.  We take a look at the company and who is behind Navigenics.
The much anticipated launch! 
April 8th, 2008 Navigenics Inc launches its genomics service In New York. 
It has branded its service as “Navigenics Health Compass”.  
In its launch literature the company writes: “Navigenics aims to transform medicine from a ‘sick care’ model of ‘wait and see’ to the emergence of early risk detection.  It aims to empower individuals with opportunity and knowledge and to take preventative steps and a hands on approach to their family’s health …read more

Navigenics approached Genetics and Health for an interview. With so much written about similar genomics companies such as 23andme, Knome, deCODE genetics, I was intrigued to learn more about this company.  In particular, Navigenics appears to be the only company within this industry genre who provides a comprehensive wellness model – a healthcare model that Opaldia, the genetic screening and health surveillance company I founded, endorsed whole-heartedly. 
I interviewed Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael A Nierenberg MD, clinical professor of medicine, emeritus at Stanford Universityto find out what makes Navigenics stand out amongst its competition.  He was most candid in his …read more

 
(Courtesy of WAMU 88.5 FM American University Radio, Washington, USA)
This is a really interesting radio clip from The Diana Rehm Show on WAMU radio on the whole issue of personal genetics.
http://wamu.org/programs/dr/08/04/01.php#20091 and click on either the real audio or windows media buttons
“A growing number of people are turning to personalized genetic testing to learn about possible predisposition to some diseases, inherited behavioral traits, and clues to their family heritage. We’ll talk about what these tests can tell us and some of the new questions they raise.”
Guests
Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute
Beth Peshkin, senior genetics counselor, Lombardi Comprehensive …read more

As readers of Genetics and Health know, I am vocal in my support of providing patients with a wealth of education, information and advice before, during and after they undergo a genetic test.
With this in mind, Navigenics is a company I have had my eye on for some-while.  The company offers a comprehensive SNP based genetic risk assessment screen but has placed great emphasis on the ‘preventative health, wellness and ongoing support’ aspect for its customers and members.
Navigenics kindly agreed to be interviewed on all aspects of the company’s service, its philosophy and also provided comment on the various ethical and scientific debates that are currently raging around the whole subject of …read more