Fashion 4 Development (F4D) in partnership with Human Kind Institute hosted the Third Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet on Monday, September 18th during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The evening’s theme was ‘Healthier People, Healthier Planet.’ The night’s final award served as a tribute to the late Franca Sozzani, Editor in … Continued
This newsletter highlights the International Conference on Newborn Sequencing (ICoNS) that is just around the corner on October 5-6, 2023 in London, UK. It’s not too late to register! Other G2P updates include media coverage of BabySeq1 publications, a new publication from the Sanford Imagenetics team about pharmacogenomics in primary care, and a blog post … Continued
Each month, the editors of Human Genetics and Genomics Advances interview an early-career researcher who has published work in the journal. This month they featured G2P collaborator Dr. Nina Gold to discuss her paper Phenotypes of undiagnosed adults with actionable OTC and GLA variants.
A recent editorial by The Lancet dives into the debate on universal newborn sequencing. While using genome sequencing as a screening tool for newborns has the potential to offer a great deal of relevant health information, there are certainly ethical issues and other challenges that also need to be addressed. The BabySeq Project is cited … Continued
In this newsletter we’re excited to announce that the Precision Population Health initiative (PPH) is working with the South Central Foundation (SCF) on a new clinical genomic screening program to improve the health of the Alaska Native population. We are also thrilled to share that registration for the Second Annual International Conference on Newborn Sequencing … Continued
“Addressing stark, deeply-rooted racial disparities in healthcare has to be a priority for medical research. PRS might be one tool to improve disease screening and move us beyond race-based medical decision-making and toward more equitable health outcomes.”
Newborn sequencing experts participated in a full-day workshop examining the utility of DNA sequencing in newborns. The workshop addressed the current state of newborn sequencing as well as relevant expected benefits, harms, and ethical considerations in six sessions. Robert C. Green, MD, MPH participated in a panel discussion and spoke about the BabySeq Project in … Continued
“The pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants turned up in 13 genes, the team noted, and included variants implicated in Lynch syndrome, breast and ovarian cancer, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other actionable adult-onset or childhood-onset conditions.”
“In the future, imagine identifying a risk for a devastating illness in a healthy newborn baby,” Green said. “Imagine then being able to find the biomarkers for the ones who are going to develop the disease and even preventing it. Imagine how thrilling that would be.”
“There are ethicists who say a child should not be used as a genetic canary in a coal mine — that one member of a family should not be used without their consent as the access point for a whole family, but I’d like to challenge that. Look at these mothers. We arguably saved their … Continued
“By screening apparently healthy newborns, entire families were alerted for the first time that dangerous but treatable genetic variants were present,” said corresponding author Robert C. Green, MD, MPH, a physician-scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, who leads the BabySeq Project. “We were stunned to see that … Continued
“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
Shaye Williams, G2P’s operation coordinator and diversity, equity, and inclusion lead, shares the story of her career transition into genomics research. After being introduced to genetic counseling as a prenatal patient, Shaye pursued an internship with G2P to learn more about the profession.
“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.”
“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
“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
“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
“An overwhelming majority of rare disease experts agree that a genomic sequencing test for monogenic treatable conditions should be available to all newborns, a new survey shows.”
“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.”
“Findings from a new study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham suggest that rare disease experts are now in favor of more expansive newborn testing. In a study published today in JAMA Network Open, 88 percent of rare disease experts agreed that DNA sequencing to screen for treatable childhood disorders should be made available … Continued
“In our Five-Question series, we highlight the staff and faculty behind the compelling work at Ariadne Labs. Upstream or downstream? That has long been a career question for Nic Encina, MS, MS, MBA, now Director of Strategy of the Precision Population Health initiative at Ariadne Labs.”
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
Dr. Robert Green discusses considerations for screening for autism amidst a complicated ethical landscape in an interview with proto.life
Senior Genetic Counselor Carrie Blout Zawatsky, MS, CGC along with a team of esteemed co-authors was recently recognized by the NHGRI genomic medicine working group for the notable accomplishment of developing an Elective genomic testing practice resource.
We know this screening saves lives. Why aren’t health systems adopting it? Senior Genetic Counselor Carrie Blout Zawatsky explores this question in a new blog.
Dr. Robert Green gives his perspective on Beethoven’s DNA being decoded from centuries-old hair samples in an interview with the Washington Post.
In this newsletter we’re excited to congratulate Sophia Adelson, Erin Drake, and Sheyenne Walmsley for winning the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Pillars of Excellence Awards. We’re also highlighting Carrie Zawatsky for her leadership in publishing NSGC’s first clinical practice resource on elective genetic testing, as well as Dr. Nina Gold’s NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Research … Continued
Robert C. Green, MD, MPH is Professor of Medicine (Genetics) at Harvard Medical School and a physician-scientist who directs the G2P Research Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Broad Institute and Ariadne Labs. Dr. Green is internationally recognized for research and policy efforts accelerating the implementation of genomic/precision medicine. In this fascinating conversation Nieca and … Continued
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
In this Chicago Tribune post, G2P Director Robert Green writes that Hemsworth and Jolie are accelerating awareness and acceptance of a future where we do not wait to respond to the ravages of so many diseases but rather anticipate, predict and prevent them through genomics.
In this newsletter, we are excited to announce the date and location of the 2023 International Conference on Newborn Sequencing (ICoNS) happening the week of October 2nd-6th in London. Additionally, we highlight the professional accomplishments of our Senior Genetic Counselor/Project Manager Carrie Blout Zawatsky, as well as our team at the Annual National Society of … Continued
The lack of diversity in genomic research may be a call to fundamentally change the research enterprise.
The Illumina Genomics Forum is Illumina’s premier global event advancing the positive impact of genomic health. G2P Director Dr. Robert Green spoke alongside Ryan Taft on building the evidence base for offering comprehensive sequencing for every child at birth.
At the inaugural International Conference on Newborn Sequencing, researchers from eight studies across the world outlined their plans, goals, and results to date for their newborn sequencing initiatives. The BabySeq Project led by Robert Green at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School was the first randomized clinical trial designed to … Continued
Last year, our former research assistant, Charlene Preys, underwent genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer associated with the ATM gene. Upon receiving her ATM status, Charlene’s risk of developing breast cancer jumped from 12 to 40%, and her risk of developing pancreatic cancer increased from <1% to 10%. Patient organizations and support groups were … Continued
At the inaugural International Conference on Newborn Sequencing (ICoNS) in Boston last week hosted by Genomes2People and Ariadne Labs, researchers outlined plans from eight studies in the US, the UK, Europe, and Australia.
“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.”
“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.”
The overturning of Roe v. Wade and resulting legal barriers are already restricting screening and reproductive options.
PMWC, the “Precision Medicine World Conference” is the largest & original annual conference dedicated to precision medicine. At this year’s PMWC, G2P director Dr. Robert C. Green gave a talk on the path to universal newborn sequencing and disease prevention.