genetic testing – handling the news
genetic testing – handling the news | help and info
help and info
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.
organisations
Genetic Interest Group
Unit 4D, Leroy House
436 Essex Road
London N1 3QP
Tel: 020 7704 3141
E-mail: mailgig.org.uk
Website: www.gig.org.uk
National alliance of organisations with a membership of over 130 charities which support children, families and individuals affected by genetic disorders.
The Human Genetics Commission
605 Wellington House
133-155 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8UG
Tel: 020 7972 4351
E-mail: hgc@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.hgc.gov.uk/Client/index.asp?ContentId=1
UK Government's advisory body on new developments in human genetics and how they impact on individual lives with a particular focus on the social, ethical and legal issues. The website has lots of information on current legislation in this area.
HumGen International
Website: www.humgen.umontreal.ca/int/faq.cfm?Idsuj=5
Organisation that provides a really useful resource, on ethical, legal and social issues in human genetics. Canada-based but much of the information on the site is relevant to everyone.
websites
Bio News
www.bionews.org.uk
News, information and comment on assisted reproduction and genetics.
Doctors Warn on Ad-hoc Screening
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4175856.stm
UK Doctors are worried that patients may be putting themselves at risk by taking unregulated screening health checks – often bought over the Internet or through the post.
This BBC news article covers a British Medical Association report on the subject.
DNA 50
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/
sci_tech/2003/dna_at_50/default.stm
In-depth features about the cracking of the human genetic code and its relevance today.
GeneTests
www.genetests.org
Provides current, authoritative information on genetic testing and its use in diagnosis, management, and genetic counselling.
Genetic Counseling: DNA testing for the patient
www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1200714
Article that reviews several case scenarios in order to highlight some themes and lessons from genetic counseling.
Genetics
www.channel4.com/genetics
Channel 4 site accompanying Sir John Sulston's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures in 2001. Includes the first 'artificial life experiment' designed for the general public.
Genetic Testing: Psychological aspects and implications
www.psychosomatic.org/events/Lerman2002.pdf
Reviews the evidence concerning psychological issues in genetic testing, highlighting the kinds of concerns, decisions, and emotions that clinicians may encounter in patients who are members of families with inherited disease.
Living Life by his own DNA Code
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/
0,,2087-2415609,00.html
Craig Venter is developing the ultimate in individually tailored diets. The American scientist, famous for his role in decoding the human genome, is close to another scientific first – mapping all of his own DNA – and the results are already changing what he eats and the way he lives.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Screening
www.genetics-and-society.org/technologies/other/pgd.html
PGD tests early stage embryos for the presence of a variety of conditions. An explanation of the procedure, a look at the pros and cons, plus FAQs can be found on this site.
Screening for Genetic Disorders: Need to avoid anxiety
www.cardiff.ac.uk/newsevents/media/mediarel/mr1204/mr041216.html
Overview of the 3-year project led by Prof. Paul Atkinson of Cardiff University, examining the consequences of genetic screening. Scroll to the end of this article for some very interesting points made about key considerations in DNA testing – notably the repercussions.
reading
 |
Clones, Genes and Immortality: Ethics and the genetic revolution by John Harris (Oxford University Press, 1998) |
 |
Genetic Testing and the Use of Information edited by Clarisa Long (AEI Press, 1999) |
 |
The Impact of the Gene: From Mendel's peas to designer babies by Colin Tudge (Hill and Wang, 2001) |
 |
|
(November 2006)
Back to feature.
