Medical Notes: Week of March 18, 2018
A new test for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, treatment for colicky babies, and the long-term effect of letting kids under age twelve try alcohol.
Our New Genetic Knowledge (2016)
A physician/Pulitzer-prize-winning author explains what our new knowledge means for our immediate medical future, given our struggles with genetic knowledge in the past.
Cheaper Breast Cancer Gene Testing
Testing for breast cancer genes BRCA-1 and 2 has been inaccessible to many women due to extremely high cost. Now a new $249 breast cancer gene test is available. Experts discuss whether this changes who should be tested and the ramifications of widespread testing.
Dietary Gene Therapy
Many diseases have a genetic trigger, but a noted researcher concludes that alteration of the diet can override that programming. He discusses how disease doesn't have to be preordained.