This April, when investigators used the publicly available genetic database GEDMatch to hunt down the long sought-after Golden State Killer, many of us in the genetics universe had a mixed reaction. Yippee! This long-standing cold case of a serial murder and rapist is...
As a genetic counselor, it is always challenging to tell the patient sitting in front of you that she carries a genetic mutation (or a pathogenic variant, as it is now called) that could negatively impact her health. But perhaps more challenging, is telling the person...
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing is exactly what the name implies: a test sold directly to the consumer, without the help of a healthcare professional. You can pick up a kit online, at the drugstore, or even at the dollar store (!) that you can use to determine if you...
The National Cancer Institute hosts a webinar series called Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Cancer Research (ENRICH). This speaker series fosters discussion about ethical and regulatory issues impacting cancer research. Our CEO/President, Ellen Matloff, was the...
DNA saved the day this week, bringing the long sought-after Golden State Killer to justice. After decades of evading arrest, the serial murderer and rapist was tracked down through genealogy testing. Genetic victory, right? So why my insomnia? Lying in bed, my...