Genetics and Molecular Medicine

Few areas of medicine hold as much promise or controversy as that focused on what happens in our bodies at the molecular level.

Genetic testing news

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act signed into law
May 21, 2008 - Thirteen years after being introduced, legislation that protects against genetic discrimination has been signed into law. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 prohibits health insurers and employers from discriminating on the basis of genetic information. Specifically, GINA prohibits health insurers from using genetic information to determine eligibility or premiums, prohibits insurers and employers from requesting or requiring that a person undergo a genetic test, and prohibits employers from using genetic information to make employment decisions.

EGAPP releases recommendation statement on genetic testing in patients beginning SSRI therapy
The Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) Working Group found insufficient evidence to recommend the use of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) testing in patients beginning treatment with SSRIs. The full recommendation statement appears in the December 2007 issue of Genetics in Medicine and is freely accessible through the EGAPP Working Group Web site.

Carbemazepine prescribing information to include recommendation of genetic tests for patients with Asian ancestry
Dec. 12, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that the manufacturers of drugs containing the active ingredient carbamazepine have agreed to add to the drugs' labeling a recommendation that, before starting therapy with the drugs, patients with Asian ancestry get a genetic blood test that can identify a significantly increased risk of developing a rare, but serious, skin reaction. For further information, read the FDA announcement.

Warfarin labeling revised by the FDA
Aug. 16, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released revised labeling for the drug warfarin. The revised labeling includes information on the influence of genetics on warfarin dosing. View (PDF) a description of the labeling revision and other information on genetic testing available to aid in warfarin dosing.