DNA collection for tracking human-rights victims

The exquisite specificity of DNA-sequencing technology to identify individuals makes it an attractive approach for helping to curb human trafficking by identifying its victims. One such program, DNA-PROKIDS, is an international collaboration initiated by the University of Granada Genetic Identification Laboratory and involving the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. The group seeks to establish international DNA registries to identify trafficked children and reunite them with their families. Similar programs are already up and running. However, government collection of DNA from children raises questions regarding civil rights and justice as well as numerous ethical concerns. In a commentary published online by Trends in Genetics (15 May 2013), Joyce Kim and Sara Katsanis of the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, Durham, NC, discuss the issues arising from use of DNA to track individuals not accused of crimes. The authors point out that, although applying DNA technologies to identify victims of human-rights violations is a “noble cause,” collection of genetic information itself can also lead to human-rights violations. They address the social concerns facing efforts to implement DNA programs for the identification of victims and outline how to define best practices for the establishment of international DNA registries. —Karyn Hede, News Editor

UK aims to make cancer gene screening common practice

The announcement by actress Angelina Jolie that she had undergone a double mastectomy in an effort to stave off breast cancer increased public awareness of genetic testing for cancer predisposition. In Jolie’s case, the presence of a BRCA1 mutation known to greatly increase her risk of breast or ovarian cancer, along with having a first-degree relative who died of breast cancer, made the decision clear-cut for her. Now, more women may be faced with making such choices in the United Kingdom, as the National Health Service (NHS) pilots a model program to test women with breast or ovarian cancer using a panel of nearly 100 cancer-predisposition genes. The three-year program, called Mainstreaming Cancer Genetics, is led by Britain’s Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, with funding by the Wellcome Trust. It will be focused on breast and ovarian cancer patients at first, but the plan is to expand it to many more types of cancer, eventually making cancer genetic testing a routine part of cancer care. As part of the initial study, organizers also plan to consider the ethical and social impact of genetic testing in cancer patients and to evaluate outcomes—as well as cost, a controversial issue highlighted by the high price of the patent-protected test that revealed Jolie’s cancer susceptibility. —Karyn Hede, News Editor

Genetics in Medicine| Mission Statement

Genetics in Medicine is a monthly journal committed to the timely publication of:

  • Original reports which enhance the knowledge and practice of medical genetics

  • Strategies and innovative approaches to the education of medical providers at all levels in the realm of genetics

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  • Provide a forum for discussion, debate and innovation concerning the changing and expanding role of medical genetics within the broader context of medicine

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Finally, as genetics becomes increasingly important in the wider medical arena, we will be an accessible and authoritative resource for the dissemination of medical genetic knowledge to providers outside of the genetics community through appropriate reviews, discussions, recommendations and guidelines.