The missing links: How to ensure omics data fulfills its promise

BioCentury |
May 2023
Press

“Omics data could herald a revolution in healthcare. The analysis of rich, interconnected and longitudinal multi-omics datasets promises a better understanding of the underlying biology of human health and disease, which in turn could lead to more effective prevention, earlier and more accurate diagnoses, new treatments and better choice of treatments. Despite that promise, only … Continued

Your DNA can now be pulled from thin air. Privacy experts are worried.

New York Times |
May 2023
Press

“Anna Lewis, a Harvard researcher who studies the ethical, legal and social implications of genetics research, said that environmental DNA hadn’t been widely discussed by experts in bioethics. But after the findings from Dr. Duffy and his colleagues, it will be.”

Genetics experts support adding hundreds of treatable rare diseases to newborn screening

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences |
May 2023
Press

“In a newly released study, nearly nine of 10 experts on rare diseases agreed that sequencing healthy newborns’ DNA to reveal treatable genetic disorders should be available for all infants. At least half of experts also endorsed testing for more than 400 genes as part of such newborn genomic screens. These NCATS-supported study results might … Continued

Should all U.S. newborns undergo genomic testing?

U.S. News & World Report |
May 2023
Press

“While newborns are only screened for about 60 treatable conditions, there are hundreds of genetic disorders that have targeted treatments. Now, a national survey of experts in rare diseases found the vast majority support DNA sequencing in healthy newborns…’It has been a longstanding dream to someday offer DNA sequencing to all newborns in order to … Continued

Rare disease experts support newborn genome sequencing

Inside Precision Medicine |
May 2023
Press

“Research led by Mass General Hospital for Children suggests that almost 90% of rare disease experts are in favor of newborn genome sequencing for monogenic treatable disorders…’Early identification of infants who are at risk for genetic disorders can be lifesaving and screening has the potential to improve healthcare disparities for affected children,’ said lead author … Continued

Rare-disease doctors support expanded newborn genomic screening, survey finds

STAT |
May 2023
Press

“When 238 rare-disease doctors across the U.S. were surveyed by a research team at Mass General Brigham in Boston, 88% of them agreed that DNA sequencing to screen for certain treatable childhood disorders should be made available to all newborns. The study was published Monday in JAMA Network Open.”

G2P featured in Brigham Clinical & Research News “Look who’s talking”

Brigham Clinical & Research News |
April 2023
Press

Genomes2People was featured in the latest issue of Brigham Clinical & Research News “Look who’s talking”. Past winners of the Brigham Research Institute’s BRIght Futures Prize share about the impact that the $100,0000 award has had on their work and careers. “In 2012, we were delighted to be the very first winners of the BRIght … Continued

Brigham Staff with President Robert S.D. Higgins

G2P staff recognized for the Brigham Way

Brigham Awards, Honors & Grants |
January 2023
G2P News, Press

Congratulations to G2P Genetic Counselor Janelle Shea and Operations Coordinator Shaye Williams for being nominated for and winning The Brigham Way Award, which recognizes employees who foster a culture of excellence, respect and professionalism by going above and beyond their duties to create an exceptional Brigham Experience for our patients and colleagues. Janelle celebrated her … Continued

Blood from a baby at birth can be gene sequenced to prevent diseases

USA TODAY |
October 2022
Press

“This week, Dr. Robert Green is hosting a conference in Boston, bringing together researchers and industry representatives from the U.S., U.K., European Union and Australia to set standards and discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by scaling up newborn genetic sequencing.”

Revealing the hidden impact of whole-genome sequencing for newborns

New Scientist |
August 2022
Press

“Would you have your baby’s genes sequenced at birth? A groundbreaking trial that used whole-genome sequencing to predict newborns’ future health, is starting to reveal the impact it has had on the whole family, seven years down the line.”

Full-genome screening for newborn babies is now on the cards

The Economist |
May 2022
Press

“Doctors in many places want to sequence and screen babies’ entire genomes at birth. In America there are projects to do just that at Boston Children’s Hospital, Columbia University and Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. A pioneering group at Harvard, known as BabySeq, has recently received money to expand its small-scale work to include … Continued

Baby’s first genome

Nature Biotechnology |
April 2022
Press

“Whole-genome sequencing may be the fastest way to diagnose rare complex diseases, but should it be incorporated into healthy newborn screening?” “We are missing the opportunity to address an increasing number of treatable conditions,” says G2P Dr. Robert Green.  

Their DNA hides a warning, but they don’t want to know what it says

The New York Times |
January 2022
Press

The MGB Biobank returned actionable genetics results to 256 participants, 76.3 percent of whom were unaware that they carried a variant that put them at increased risk. The New York Times reports on this return of results process, outlining that some participants wanted to learn this information and others did not.

The UK’s plan to sequence the genomes of 200,000 newborn babies

Geographical |
November 2021
Press

“Genomics England are poised to a launch a pilot project which will see the genomes of newborn babies sequenced on their very first day of life…In the USA, under a pilot project called BabySeq, a team co-led by Robert Green from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that across 1,500 genes in 127 healthy and 32 … Continued

Genomic screening of healthy newborns gets more popular

WebMD |
December 2021
Press

“Even before their baby is born, parents face some tough questions: Home birth or hospital? Cloth or disposable diapers? Breast, bottle, or both? But advances in genetic sequencing technology mean that parents will soon face yet another choice: whether to sequence their newborn’s DNA for an overview of the baby’s entire genome.”

Internship program opens the door into the world of genetic counseling and research

Brigham Clinical and Research News |
October 2021
G2P News, Press

This year, Erin Drake, MA, director of operations for G2P, and Tala Berro, MS, CGC, a genetic counselor and project manager, helped launch the G2P BIPOC internship program in recognition of the importance of diversity not only in clinical trials but also in research teams. Research trainees Soha Mohammed, Kopika Kuhathaas and Shardae Williams share … Continued

Diverse Boston neighborhoods recruited for sweeping study of genetics and health outcomes

GBH News |
September 2021
Press, Radio

“Medical researchers in Boston are helping sign up one million volunteers for a first-of-its-kind study [The All of Us Research Program] examining the link between genes and our health. Researchers are actively recruiting volunteers of different races and ethnicities to ensure that the study reflects the diversity of the United States.”

Sequencing every newborn’s genome to detect diseases faces ethical and practical obstacles, but the United Kingdom is pushing ahead with a major test

Science |
September 2021
Press

Genomic testing for Baby Cora, a participant of The BabySeq Project, revealed a disorder that might otherwise have gone undetected through traditional newborn screening. “Cora’s case illustrates the promise of sequencing the entire genomes of newborns: uncovering a bounty of genetic information that could identify infants needing treatment and improve health later in life…Genomics England … Continued

Study finds genomic sequencing of healthy newborns does not disrupt family dynamics

EurekAlert! |
August 2021
Press, Press Release

“We have now shown that this information can be medically beneficial through early intervention and is not disruptive to the parent-infant relationship, and our ongoing analysis is measuring economic effects of genome sequencing. This type of research is critical to determine best practices for preventive genomic healthcare throughout the lifespan.” – Robert Green

Green receives NIH research grant for BabySeq2

Brigham Publications: Awards, Honors & Grants |
August 2021
Press

“Robert Green, MD, MPH, of the Division of Genetics, received a research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund The BabySeq Project: Phase II, also known as BabySeq2, the continuation of a project to study genome sequencing in newborns.”

Zara revisits iconic Peter Lindbergh photographs in a surprise collection

Vogue |
July 2021
Press

ZARA launches its first tribute collection, featuring iconic photographs by legendary image maker Peter Lindbergh. 100% of proceeds from this limited edition series curated by Fabien Baron will be donated to The Franca Sozzani Fund for Preventive Genomics, supporting the Global BabySeq Project in collaboration with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Combining science and service as a VA genetic counselor

VAntage Point |
March 2021
Press

“In 2019, [G2V’s] Morgan Danowski graduated and joined Boston VA. There, she supports VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP), now the world’s largest genomics research program. The program takes DNA from participating Veterans and information on their health, lifestyle and military experiences and exposures to better understand disease in Veteran populations. With over 830,000 Veterans enrolled, … Continued

I’m 28 and I don’t know my family history – here’s how that affects my health

Well + Good |
February 2021
Press

28 year old Mercey Livingston shares about what it means to be adopted and not know important information related to family health history and genetic health. Livingston quotes G2P’s director, Dr. Robert Green, explaining the differences between direct to consumer testing and comprehensive testing options, as well as the value of working with a genetics … Continued

What experts think of 23andMe’s COVID-19 risk calculator

Healthline |
February 2021
Press

In this article, Dr. Robert C. Green weighs in on 23andMe’s new interactive tool called the COVID-19 Severity Calculator. Right now the COVID-19 Severity Calculator only includes nongenetic risk factors for hospitalization from COVID-19. Dr. Green suspects that as more insights on genetic risk factors become available, 23andMe might begin incorporating genetic data into their … Continued

Franca Sozzani has inspired a scientific fund – And now a website

Vogue |
December 2020
Press

“Last year Sozzani’s son, the photographer and filmmaker Francesco Carrozzini, established the Franca Sozzani Fund for Preventive Genomics at Harvard University’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital with artist and investor D.A. Wallach and Genomes2People director Dr. Robert C. Green. Today marks the launch of thefrancafund.org. Its purpose is straightforward: to explain the fund’s mission, provide resources … Continued

Preventive genomics clinics: The future of precision medicine?

The Pathologist |
December 2020
Press

“Personal genetic testing is here to stay – so Bethany Zettler and Renée Pelletier recommend preventive genomics clinics as a way to offer the testing patients want without bypassing the guidance they need to fully understand their results.”

DNA: The next vital sign

Brigham Health |
October 2020
Press

Brigham genomics clinic makes medicine personal—and preventive.