More on episode 6: Your genome, your future
8.7 mb mp3 (18:54 ) | Subscribe through iTunes
David Altshuler discusses the relationship between human genetic variation and disease
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Throughout the 21st century boom in genetic research, HMS professor of genetics David Altshuler has been one of the movement’s most prominent figures. A leading geneticist widely known for his work on the International HapMap Project, Dr. Altshuler has also studied and published on human genetic variation, the genetic risk factors of diabetes and, more recently, the effect of genetic risk prediction on heart attack prevention.
Though recognized for his groundbreaking research, he has also been known as a voice of moderation in the field, cautioning the public and medical community against the premature adoption of new and unproven genetic testing techniques.
Dr. Altshuler is a ubiquitous figure in the HMS community. In addition to his appointment in the Department of Genetics, he is a member of the Department of Molecular Biology, Center for Human Genetic Research, and Diabetes Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also a founding member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and serves as director of the Broad’s program in Medical and Population Genetics.
Altshuler lab
HapMap homepage
7.9 mb mp3 (17:13) with additional excerpts from Yvonna Reekie’s interview with Altshuler
Introducing the Personal Genome Project
Human genome sequencing is opening new doors in medical research, but it has also raised difficult ethical questions, particularly about patient privacy. HMS professor of genetics George Church is keeping such concerns in mind as he pushes forward with the Personal Genome Project (PGP). Church and his colleagues have already sequenced the protein-coding regions of 10 human genomes, and have been given the green light to sequence 100,000 more. Ethicist Jeantine Lunshof, PGP director of community Jason Bobe, and PGP participant John Halamka share their thoughts.
Personal Genome Project
Church lab
Jason Bobe’s blog
John Halamka’s blog
Value of direct-to-consumer drug advertising oversold
Drug ads are hard to miss, especially the ones aired daily on network television. Pharmaceutical companies spend billions on these 30-second treasures, plugging treatments for everything from allergies to bipolar disorder and high cholesterol. But how much does such direct-to-consumer advertising affect drug sales? Not much, according to Harvard Medical School professor Stephen Soumerai and his research team. They tracked prescription drug sales among English- and French-speaking Canadians and reported their findings earlier this month in the British Medical Journal.
