The NHS And The Human Genome (Image via Wikipedia)

Ten years after the human genome was sequenced, the UK National Health Service (NHS) is ill-prepared to deal with the benefits. A report by Sir John Bell states that “There has already been a lot of innovation almost none of which has been adopted by the NHS.”

I suppose this should not be too surprising: this morning an article on BBC’s Radio 4 highlighted the failure to standardise NHS records into an electronic form accessible by any health authority.

Of course, both these measures – digitizing records and accessing more and more patients’ genetic data – has huge implications for personal privacy.

From the illegal perspective – hackers can get in anywhere: and they will get access to our personal records.

And insurance companies will desperately want access to the data legally if they possibly can.

On the positive front, Prime Minister David Cameron has taken a personal interest in getting genetics to the centre of NHS treatment. Let’s hope he makes an impact on the NHS which, while wonderful in some respects, is cumbersome and disorganised in others.

Is The NHS Ready For Genetic Medicine? is a post from: Living To 150

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I am waiting for my health results which will come from my £4k spend in Frontier Clinic, Denver. Yes – pricey. But I think worth it.

I am expecting my pack of results any day, and this will be followed by an hour consultation with Dr Terry Grossman – who I really like and trust, in fact.

What will it reveal? The blood tests hold no fear – as they are repeats of those done a year ago. So I know I am basically fine, but will get extra info on my high cholesterol level. This must be genetic – do I need to worry – and if so what can I do about it?

The other major factor is that I have genetic tests coming back. In other words, I will know some of the genetic diseases which I am more liable to get.

Anyway, I think I am in good hands.

Living to 150 is the (interim) aim – and I feel sure Terry Grossman can help.

I will report back when the results arrive.

Question: Would you spend £4,000 ($6,000) on a health assessment? Post a comment.

Feedback On My Health is a post from: Living To 150

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A method of ridding future generations of some serious inherited disease will soon be used on humans, scientists predict.

This method, called germline therapy, has been used successfully on monkeys. The work, carried out by the Oregan Health and Science University, has been published in the journal Nature. The method can be used for mothers undergoing IVF treatment. It involves a change in the DHA existing in the mitochondria – the energy production units of the cell. Being outside of the chromosomes, this therapy is permitted without the need for new legislation.

The types of diseases germline therapy could avoid include terribly debilitating diseases such as some cancer, nerve diseases, muscle diseases and diabetes.

The method involves ‘splicing’ mitochondrial DNA from two female donors, fertilizing the resulting egg, and implanting it into the womb. The resulting child would no longer have the genetic material which caused the identified disease.

Of course this procedure raises ethical questions; however, the option of avoiding future serious disease for an individual makes it a procedure worthy of serious consideration and study.

Method to Combat Genetic Disease is a post from: Living To 150

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