Eye on DNA Headlines for 6 September 2007

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted September 6, 2007 in Eye on DNA Headlines

• Genetic Alliance has launched WikiAdvocacy and WikiGenetics as part of the opening of the National Consumer Center for Genetics Resources and Services.

  The Center focuses on ensuring the consumer voice is heard, and on improving services for all who need them. Every person will need genetics resources and services some day. The Center works proactively to focus the future of the field on the issues that matter most to the consumer and make sure these services are accessible, affordable, and of high quality.

• Eyes on the Prize: Truth Telling about Genetic Testing will be held September 20-21 in Washington, DC.

  This meeting, as indicated by its title, will focus on the genetic testing landscape as it relates to the ultimate outcome – excellent diagnosis to serve the men, women and children who so desperately need appropriate tests and treatments.
  

• Personalized Medicine: Breaking Down the Barriers and Getting Results will be held on October 11 at the Harvard Medical Research Building in Boston, Massachusetts. (HT: Dr. Keith Batchelder)

  …a full day program that will address the many facets of personalized medicine and the obstacles that need to be overcome to bring products to market.

  
  
• Author Bryan Appleyard doesn’t go for genetic genealogy.

  I share half of each of my parents’ genes, a quarter of my grandparents, an eighth of my great grandparents, a sixteenth of my great great grandparents. Take that all the way back to 1066 and, genetically speaking, I’d be as closely related to King Harold (I prefer the underdog) as I am to your average chimp.
  

• Two genes for autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis have been found - STAT4 and TRAF1-C5. STAT4 has also been implicated in lupus although the exact function of the gene variant is still unknown. That brings the total count of candidate genes for rheumatoid arthritis to five.

Photo: Sunflower by my friend and fellow science blogger David Bradley (Doesn’t have anything to do with anything but I thought it was pretty and made me happy to look at it!)

Tags: genetic alliance, genetics, genes, dna, diseases, illness, health, medicine, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, bryan appleyard, genetic genealogy

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4 Comments »

Comment by The Genetic Genealogist

2007-09-06 19:52:19

Oh boy! Thanks for the link to Mr. Appleyard! I can’t help myself, I have to write a quick response. I agree with Mr. Appleyard about the dilution of genes and genealogy over time. That’s part of the reason that autosomal genetic genealogy is so challenging.

However, Mr. Appleyard is not taking into account the Y-DNA and mtDNA tests. Generally speaking, Y-DNA IS passed down directly from father to son without dilution. And mtDNA IS passed down from mother to child without dilution. Thus, these tests DO give us a direct picture of our direct paternal and maternal lines.

Now, the caveat Mr. Appleyard should bring up in response to that assertion is that at 10 generations, our Y-DNA and mtDNA only describe a portion of 2 out of (potentially) 1024 individuals. This is a completely valid point, and one of the limitations of genetic genealogy. As I always say, 2 out of 1024 ain’t bad!

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Comment by Hsien

2007-09-07 13:34:10

Bryan’s a smart guy but I think he’s in some sort of denial about his genealogy.

What are you hiding, Bryan??

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Comment by StevenMurphy MD

2007-09-07 02:37:00

The STAT4 finding doesn’t surprise me…..There is actually a condition called rhupus which has findings of both rheumatoid and lupus.
-Steve
http://www.thegenesherpa.blogspot.com

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Comment by Hsien

2007-09-07 13:33:06

Of course it wouldn’t surprise you, Dr. Gene Sherpa Steve.

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