RJA 15b

The research topic was of utmost importance to me.  As a soon-to-be new father, the impact of genetics on my child is enormous.  In fact, even as we went in for our first obstetrician appointment, we were given information on how to save the child's stem cells and stem blood via the umbilical cord.  These can then be used in the future to help with genetic defects, and in the future, for things such as lymphoblastoma (cancer) and Parkinson's disease.  In addition, my family is rife with doctors, and as such, my interest level in medicine has always been incredibly high.

As far as the class, I did brush up on  few things such as MLA and APA, and I was thankful that the process of researching and writing the paper gave me so much insight into my topic.  I really enjoyed the directed approach and "building" into a paper as opposed to being assigned a ton of papers to write.  While they helped, I thought the frequency of the discussions was a bit high in comparison to the value they provide (to me, at least).

Lastly, I think the biggest problem for me was the inability to make some of these deadlines.  Working 50-60 hours a week, with a pregnant wife, makes it extremely difficult for me to be timely in my submissions.  Part of the reason MSCD offers online classes is to cater to people like myself.  Although I understand the importance of deadlines and timeliness, I feel as though a university that prides itself in having an average age of 26 should take into consideration the time constraints of working students with families who are trying to whittle away at a degree.  I know that this is just my situation, not everyone's, but it's frustrating to know that I have all the ability in the world to do what's asked of me, just not the time to get it submitted by the due date.

RJA 15a

RJA 14

a)  What are some of the advances in the ophthalmic field regarding genetic medicine and genomics?
Retina is brain tissue that processes what our eyes see.  Retinal tears and corneal abrasions are often excruciatingly painful and are recur at a high rate once the first instance has happened.  There is current research being conducted in the redevelopment of retinal tissue based on sample cells taken from the patient's retina.  There research will also help with macular degeneration, which is the major cause of blindness in adults over 50, and caused by retinal damage.
b)  How can you see genomics changing the face of medicine, from detection and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, or even prevention?
That is sort of like asking how air travel changed the face of the shipping industry.  The possibilities are endless, and so are the responsibilities.
c)  What are some barriers that genetic medicine might face?
The greatest obstacle for genetic medicine is the medical field itself.  In addition to the ethical questions and concerns, integrating new processes and policies might cause a rift in the industry.  Take, for example, the importance of family history; if this becomes a major player in medicine, people who were adopted, or were conceived with the help of a sperm donor, would have to legislate for their rights to know their genetic background.
d)  What might be some ethical/moral issues that might surface when it comes to research or application of genetic medicine?
As the news media often brings up the topic, the subject of stem cells is highly controversial - when does a cell or a grouping of cells actually become a living being with rights?  In an extreme case, the possibility of endless life could cause a whole different ethical concern.  An argument could also be made about the resurrection of someone who has been in a near-fatal accident, and has to be essentially rebuilt from the ground up: what gives us the right to interfere?
e)  Is the idea of individualized medicine that far-fetched?  In our lifetimes?
Not at all.  There are already tests to diagnose for hundreds of genetic disorders, and daily a new secret is unlocked.  While it may not become available on a large scale, genetic medicine should become mainstream in less than 20  years.
f)  What sort of big-picture impacts do you see in a society that has a cure for everything?  Overpopulation, depleted resources, etc. come to mind, but I want your take.
There are plenty of impacts, and some which we won't even think of until they happen.  My greatest concern is the further destabilization and privatization of the medical industry, which in my opinion would broaden the gap between who can and can't afford top-notch care.
g)  There are medicines out there right now that have serious impact -- we know that MAOI inhibitors and SSRI's can create new neural pathways and literlly change the chemistry of our brain -- but are considered by many to be the only cure for severe depression.  How might genetic medicine impact some of these serious side effects?  Could there be new, unconsidered side effects?
Genetic medicine is doing instantly what these other medicines take years to complete - and that is changing the structure of "who you are."  By inhibiting certain neurotransmitters, depression and anxiety medicines often rewire the brain.  A retrovirus fitted with a "modified" gene accomplishes the same result.  There could most certainly be additional side effects that we couldn't fathom, but that's what FDA testing is for  While their standards may be questionable, at least some data is available before decisions are made.

RJA 13b

Ideas for visual aids:

1)  A timeline:  I would like to use something of a timeline to show the major advances in genetics and genomics over the last century

2)  Before and after photos of both, genetic engineering gone right, and wrong.

3)  Pictures detailing how some of the currently-utilized genetic processes work in medicine

4)  Photos of genetic diseases and/or their pattern(s)

5)  Graphs and charts
       a)  Current medicines and their side effects
       b)  Where research funds are currently going in medicine

RJA 13a

References

DeSalle, R., & Yudell, M. (2005). Welcome to the genome: a user's guide to the genetic past, present, and future. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Liss.

Genetic engineering and technology reaches outside the medical field and back into it when it comes to topics such as genetically modified food.  This book goes into the genetic revolution, and explains the changes we are to expect as time goes on.

Genetic Engineering. (2012, March 6). Medical Discoveries. Retrieved April 24, 2012, from http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/Enz-Ho/Genetic-Engineering.html#b

This site serves as an extensive resource for a variety of different discoveries made in the medical field.  The articles are short, concise, and meant for the layman, and explain the processes in relative detail.

Journal of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. (n.d.). Genetics in Medicine. Nature Publishing Group : science journals, jobs, and information. Retrieved February 28, 2012, from http://www.nature.com/gim/index.html

This site provides a wealth of scholarly articles specifically related to genetics in medicine.  I've found that several articles are above my level of understanding, but there are a handful which can be deciphered and provide exhaustive amounts of information.

Vandenbusche, L. M. (2008, June 18). Medscape: Medscape Access. Medscape news. Retrieved March 27, 2012, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/575481

This article goes in depth about current genetic screening and the challenges it faces.  The primary point of discussion is the importance of family history in genetic screening and research.

RJA 12b

I plan on using some of the same sources as my background essay for the argumentative one; they were extremely informative and thorough, and provide much more than I could contain in the background essay.  As such, these are the same sources as listed in RJA 12a, but annotated. Works Cited Emery, Jon. "The challenge of integrating genetic medicine into primary care." BMJ 322.1027 (2001): n.pag. BMJ Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/322/7293/1027.short>. One of the discussions of my argumentative essay revolves around the challenges that doctors and medical practitioners face, and how difficult it might be to integrate something new that challenges how even the most minute of day-to-day tasks are done.  This article provides a wealth of information regarding genetic procedures that have already integrated, and some challenges that might be over the horizon. Juengst, Eric T. "Can Enhancement Be Distinguished from Prevention in Genetic Medicine?." Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 22.2 (1997): 125-142. Oxford Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://jmp.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/2/125.full.pdf+html>. A huge aspect of the ethical debate with genetic medicine revolves around whether it will be used to fix problems that were caused by choice versus those caused by disease.  This article goes into some of the challenges that go into this process, a big part of it being the ability to distinguish enhancement from prevention. US Department of Energy Genome Programs. "Medicine and the New Genetics." Human Genome Project Information. National Institutes of Health, 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://genomics.energy.gov>. The Human Genome Project has been the kick-off point for much of this research, and no one has it better documented and explained than our very own government.  This resource is broad and encompasses various aspects of genetic medicine; the legal and ethical point, to the research that lies ahead, to the achievements and challenges faced by doctors and scientists.

RJA 12a

Works Cited Emery, Jon. "The challenge of integrating genetic medicine into primary care." BMJ 322.1027 (2001): n.pag. BMJ Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/322/7293/1027.short>. Juengst, Eric T. "Can Enhancement Be Distinguished from Prevention in Genetic Medicine?." Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 22.2 (1997): 125-142. Oxford Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://jmp.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/2/125.full.pdf+html>. US Department of Energy Genome Programs. "Medicine and the New Genetics." Human Genome Project Information. National Institutes of Health, 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://genomics.energy.gov>.

RJA 11

What is the current impact of genetic discovery, and where could it lead us?

1)     Research has already provided us ways to diagnose and potentially treat many diseases, such as certain forms of childhood leukemia, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (X-SCID), and many others (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml)

a.      Overpopulation and rapid resource usage are running rampant; helping people live longer is making it more difficult for everyone to live a good life

b.     Playing with the building blocks of what makes us, “us,” is bound to have consequences – not letting life run its course the way it was intended could create a problem on some yet-unknown scale

2)     There is the potential of organ replication using only a small sample of cells; imagine being able to have a spare heart in case yours stops.  In addition, genes are common among all organisms, and unlocking them could give us the answers to questions like, "how are trees able to process carbon monoxide and turn it into oxygen?" -- answers that could help provide solutions for other issues such as sustainable energy

a.      At what point is an ethical boundary crossed?  If someone has a heart condition from birth, it’s possible that a healthy heart could be grown for them from their own cells.  On the other hand, a 2-pack-a-day smoker could have a healthy heart grown too.  Does money make a difference, i.e. would the smoker get ahead in line because he or she was wealthier and could afford better insurance?  Would insurance costs skyrocket?  At what point would accountability be put on the patients?

b.     While the idea of genetics influencing the growth of sustainable energy isn’t terribly far-fetched, the question remains:  how can this knowledge get utilized?  Learning how a tree can recycle carbon-dioxide into oxygen is fantastic, but how does that help us replicate the process when clear-cutting is so prominent throughout the world?

3)     People are constantly hungry for knowledge, and this is one of the few areas outside of deep space and deep marine which are still open for exploration.  The cartographers of today are genetic scientists, mapping out the millions of routes and channels that make "us."

a.      This research goes into previously uncharted territory.  The questions being asked and the potential answers that lie over the horizon are not something we’re prepared for.  All outcomes cannot be planned, and as with the Internet, governing for all new technologies is a trial-and-error process; one that cannot be afforded given the value of the information at hand.

b.     The inevitable question of stem-cells will divide people – these are the “holy grail” of genetic research: a cell that can turn into anything it’s put next to.  Imagine a cell that could replicate a cancerous cell, so we could study cancer in a way that’s never been done; a cell that, put next to a severed spinal cord, could regenerate it; a cell that could re-create neurons so even those in the most aggressive states of catatonia could be revived.  Unfortunately, the only known sources of stem-cells are unborn fetuses.  The debate of when a fetus is actually considered a living being rages on, with many staunch supporters on one side or the other, and a few riding the fence.

RJA 10c

1)  The privacy of genetic information is important and unless shored up, could be left open to exploitation
2)  The promise of "solving any problem" could give people reason to act however they like without consequence
3)  The cost and effort of integration of a completely new mindset in an industry inundated with red tape, and one which is incredibly difficult to audit, would outweigh any benefits.

RJA 10b

1)   Research has already provided us ways to diagnose and potentially treat many diseases, such as certain forms of childhood leukemia, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (X-SCID), and many others (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml)
2)  Genes are common among all organisms, and unlocking them could give us the answers to questions like, "how are trees able to process carbon monoxide and turn it into oxygen?" -- answers that could help provide solutions for other issues such as sustainable energy
3)  Genetic disorders, especially those that are unavoidable, could be treated and diagnosed before birth
4)  People are constantly hungry for knowledge, and this is one of the few areas outside of deep space and deep marine which are still open for exploration.  The cartographers of today are genetic scientists, mapping out the millions of routes and channels that make "us."
5)  There is the potential of organ replication using only a small sample of cells; imagine being able to have a spare heart in case yours stops... the possibilities are endless!

RJA 10a

What is the current impact of genetic discovery, and where could it lead us?

Although much of the progressive research is still highly controversial and theoretical, current applications of genomics already assist us in a variety of preventative diagnoses (certain cancers, cystic fibrosis, Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, and many more).  Although there are plenty of questions to be asked regarding the exponential growth of genomics, the fact that it can provide us previously unfathomable insight into nature is reason enough to pursue the research.

RJA 9

Works Cited

 Juengst, Ph.D., Eric T.. "Can Enhancement Be Distinguished from Prevention in Genetic Medicine?." The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 22.2 (1997): 125-142. Oxford Journals. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.  Although an older article, the issues that it addresses are becoming more real than the theoretic approach this author takes.
Emery, Dr. Jon. "The challenge of integrating genetic medicine into primary care." BMJ Journals - Helping doctors make better decisions 322.1027 (2001): n. pag. BMJ. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.  This particular article goes into the issues that might cause transitioning genetics into current medicinal practice; where it is, where it could go, and what might hold it up.
"Pharmacogenomics: Medicine and the New Genetics." Oak Ridge National Laboratory. US Government, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/pharma.shtml>.  This resource is a broad one that goes into the various details of current genomic medicine, pharmacogenetics, their history, and future.

RJA 8b

In conducting my field research, I plan on speaking to several people about genetic medicine and the impacts it could have.

1)  A doctor - my girlfriend is an ophthalmic nurse, and the generation of the retina (brain tissue) is at the forefront of genomic research.  Dr. Kimura is the executive president of the practice she works at, and is currently writing a dissertation on genetic medicine.  I plan on having a lunch meeting with Dr. Kimura to discuss further, but I'm waiting to learn when our schedules might mesh.

Questions:

a)  What are some of the advances in the ophthalmic field regarding genetic medicine and genomics?

b)  How can you see genomics changing the face of medicine, from detection and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, or even prevention?

c)  What are some barriers that genetic medicine might face?

d)  What might be some ethical/moral issues that might surface when it comes to research or application of genetic medicine?

e)  Is the idea of individualized medicine that far-fetched?  In our lifetimes?

f)  What sort of big-picture impacts do you see in a society that has a cure for everything?  Overpopulation, depleted resources, etc. come to mind, but I want your take.

g)  There are medicines out there right now that have serious impact -- we know that MAOI inhibitors and SSRI's can create new neural pathways and literlly change the chemistry of our brain -- but are considered by many to be the only cure for severe depression.  How might genetic medicine impact some of these serious side effects?  Could there be new, unconsidered side effects?

2)  A pharmaceutical representative - I have researched several pharmaceutical companies and have a few friends that are in the pharmaceutical sales field... however I'd really like to try and find someone who works in the R&D department at pharmaceutical company.  I'd like to make a visit to the representative's office if at all possible, and if not, conduct a phone interview.

Questions:

a)  What are some pros and cons of genetic medicine?

b)  What sort of comparisons might be made between genetic medicine and current pharmaceuticals?

c)  There are many drugs currently that over time can change the chemistry of the brain, create new neural pathways, etc.; how might genetic medicine impact side effects?  What side effects could occur that we haven't considered in comparison to traditional medicine?

d)  What do you see on the horizon for pharmaceutical companies and products?

RJA 8a

The field of genomics is incredibly interesting.  For hundreds of years, we as a race have been finding ways to react to disease, but here we have the possibility to proactively prevent it by essentially changing our building blocks; our genetic structure.  While practical application on that high a level isn’t in the near future, the fledgling science that is genomics is catching on.  There are already tests that can be conducted via spinal tap that can determine if a fetus has Downs’ Syndrome or Turner’s Syndrome.  Criminal forensics has been using a DNA database to match criminals with DNA found at the scene of a crime, and these matches are within 99.9%.  In addition, the developments of cloned sheep and cloned organs have shown us just how far-reaching this science is.  There has been recent study done on heart-attack patients in conjunction with stem-cell research.  In a small group of 18 patients who had suffered heart attacks; myocardial infarctions typically leave behind irreparable scar tissue.  Cells were drawn from the healthier portions of the patients’ hearts and used to develop new tissue.  This tissue was then implanted into the scarred portions of the heart.  In patients who had this procedure was done, doctors observed a significant improvement; over two years, nearly 70% of the scar tissue had regenerated.  Patients who did not participate saw little to no improvement.  It’s crazy to think that healthy tissue generated by your own body could help essentially rebuild organs.  My grandmother passed away due to complications from cystic fibrosis, which is passed genetically.  It also skips generations, so my cousins and I are at a higher risk for it.  It’s wild to think that people with cystic fibrosis could eventually be able to regrow lung tissue and live a healthy life.

RJA 7b

Link to my Diigo page:  http://www.diigo.com/user/borahardy

First annotated page:  http://diigo.com/0o8hm

Second annotated page: http://diigo.com/0o8jh

RJA 7a

Book 1

Authors, Editors, Translators, and/or compilers:  Peter S. Harper, Author and Editor

Title and Subtitle:  Landmarks in Medical Genetics:  Classic papers with commentaries

Edition number or information:  NA

Number(s) of volume used:  NA

Name of series:  NA

Place of publication:  NA

Name of Publisher:  Oxford University Press

Date of publication (copyright):  2004

Authority

Sir Peter Harper, the editor of this book, has served as Professor of Medical Genetics at University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.  He helped develop the Wales Medical Genetics Services and is a member of the UK Human Genetics Commission and Advisory Committee on Genetic testing.  Sir Peter was member of Nuffield Council on Bioethics from 2004-2010.  He was knighted in 2004 for his contributions to medicine; he was responsible for developing research in neurogenetics, notably on Huntington’s disease and Myotonic

Timeliness

The book in this conversation was published in 2004.  While this was nearly eight years ago, the fact that diseases such as Huntingtons still don’t have a cure, Sir Peter’s research was ground breaking and remains so to this day.  Even though he has retired from his position at Cardiff, he has continued serving on a variety of boards and commissions and has continued writing articles and books on the subject of medical genetics.

Documentation

This book is actually a collection of papers to provide geneticists and researchers a background on medical genetics.  The collection also includes brief, concise commentary from Sir Peter regarding each paper.  As such, each paper in and of itself is its own source.

Purpose & Audience

This collection of papers is primarily intended for geneticists and researchers in order to provide a detailed timeline of the origination and development of medical genetics; the comments, however, are short and to the point, and easy enough to understand for those not in the field.

Review Process

This book has been critically reviewed by many peers, and is generally considered a good resource for young scientists.

Suitability

While some of the papers are a little over my head, I was able to understand the flow and point of the material fairly well.  The book goes into some of the history of genetic disorders, and the most important field discoveries in the 20^th century.  I believe this book will help me develop a great foundation for research on the topic.

Book 2

Authors, Editors, Translators, and/or compilers: Gerard Magill, Ph.D.

Title and Subtitle:  Genetics and ethics:  an interdisciplinary study

Edition number or information:  NA

Number(s) of volume used:  NA

Name of series:  NA

Place of publication:  USA

Name of Publisher:  Saint Louis University Press

Date of publication (copyright):  2004

Authority

The editor of this book, Gereard Magill, Ph.D., is the Executive Director and Department Chair at the Center for Health Care Ethics at Saint Louis University.  He received his Ph.D. from Edinburgh University in 1987, and published many scholarly essays and several books.  As an active member of 14 professional associations, with over $6 million in grants awarded, and over 28 years of teaching in graduate education, Dr. Magill is a well renowned expert in the medical genetics field.

Timeliness

This book was also published in 2004, however a lot of the same questions it asks still present themselves; this book is ahead of its time in the sense that since the eight years it was published have passed, some of the questions it posed have transitioned from theoretical to practical.  Some technological breakthroughs discussed in this book are now a reality.

Documentation

Again, this book is a compilation of essays from various experts in the genetics and medical fields regarding the ethics of genetic medicine.  Each essay is summarized by Dr. Magill, where he provides his take and usually the opposing perspective. 

Review Process

This book and the essays in it have been peer reviewed to exhaustion.  This book is recommended for the non-specialist reader, but also designed for teachers, clinicians, scientists, policymakers, and scholars – that shows the versatility of the book and the expansive knowledge base of the authors and editor.

Suitability

As previously mentioned, this book is intended for anyone and everyone; it contains detailed information for specialists, but with layman explanations for the general public.

RJA 6b

Type of tool:  Social Media Search
Resource searched/tool used:  Blogged.com
Keywords used:  genomics, medicine
Search strategies used: AND
Date of search: 2-27-12
Number of hits: 15
Relevance of hits: 4

Type of tool:  Multimedia Search
Resource searched/tool used: blinkx.com
Keywords used: Genomics
Search strategies used: None
Date of search: 2-27-12
Number of hits: 80,000
Relevance of hits: 2

Type of tool:  Other search
Resource searched/tool used: sputtr.com
Keywords used: Genomic medicine
Search strategies used: None
Date of search: 2-27-12
Number of hits: 1,610,000
Relevance of hits: 4

RJA 6a

Type of tool:  Invisible Web Search
Resource searched/tool used: incywincy.com
Keywords used: genomics, medicine
Search strategies used: AND
Date of search: 2-27-12
Number of hits: 27,539
Relevance of hits: 3

Type of tool:  Directories
Resource searched/tool used: goguides.org
Keywords used:  genomics
Search strategies used:  none
Date of search:  2-27-12
Number of hits:  3
Relevance of hits:  3

Type of tool:  Meta/Multi search
Resource searched/tool used:  dogpile.com
Keywords used:  genetics, medicine
Search strategies used:  AND
Date of search:  2-27-12
Number of hits:  ?
Relevance of hits:  5

Type of tool:  Search Engines
Resource searched/tool used:  sensebot.net
Keywords used:  genomic medicine
Search strategies used:  "genomic medicine"
Date of search:  2-27-12
Number of hits:  modified summary; 20 sentences
Relevance of hits:  5

RJA 5b - Periodicals

Name(s) of author(s):  Alan Peterson

Title of article:  Biofantasies:  genetics and medicine in the print news media

Title of periodical:  Social Science & Medicine

Volume and issue number (if available):  V52, I8

Date:  1/31/2001

Pages on which article appears:  1255-1268

Link to article:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027795360000229X

Resource searched:  Google Scholar

Keywords used:  genetics, medicine

Search strategies used (including operators and types of searches): AND

Date of search: 2-20-12

Number of hits: 2,200,000

Relevance of hits (on a scale of 1 to 5):  3

Name(s) of author(s):  Joseph D. Terwilliger and Harold H. H. Goring       

Title of article:  Update to Terwilliger and Göring's “Gene Mapping in the 20th and 21st Centuries” (2000): Gene Mapping When Rare Variants Are Common and Common Variants Are Rare

Title of periodical:  Human Biology

Volume and issue number (if available):  V81, 5-6

Date:  December 2009

Pages on which article appears:  729-733

Link to article:  http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.3378/027.081.0617

Resource searched:  Google Scholar

Keywords used:  gene mapping, medicine

Search strategies used (including operators and types of searches): AND

Date of search: 2-20-12

Number of hits: 234,000

Relevance of hits (on a scale of 1 to 5):  4

Name(s) of author(s):  David J. Hunter, Muin J. Khoury, Jeffrey M. Drazen           

Title of article:  Letting the Genome out of the Bottle – Will we get our wish?

Title of periodical:  New England Journal of Medicine

Volume and issue number (if available):  358

Date:  January 10, 2008

Pages on which article appears:  105-107

Link to article:  http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0708162

Resource searched:  Google Scholar

Keywords used:  genetic medicine, ethics

Search strategies used (including operators and types of searches): AND

Date of search: 2-20-12

Number of hits: 282,000

Relevance of hits (on a scale of 1 to 5):  2

Name(s) of author(s):  Ulrike Felt, Maximilian Fochler, Annina Muller,  Michael Strassnig              

Title of article:  Unruly ethics:  on the difficulties of a bottom-up approach to ethics in the field of genomics

Title of periodical:  Public Understanding of Science

Volume and issue number (if available):  V18, I3

Date:  May 2009

Pages on which article appears:  354-371

Link to article:  http://pus.sagepub.com/content/18/3/354.short

Resource searched:  Google Scholar

Keywords used:  gene mapping, ethics

Search strategies used (including operators and types of searches): AND

Date of search: 2-20-12

Number of hits: 39,600

Relevance of hits (on a scale of 1 to 5):  4

Name(s) of author(s):  Christopher J. O’Donnell, Elizabeth G. Nabel        

Title of article:  Cardiovascular Genomics, Personalized Medicine, and the National Heart, Lunch, and Blood Institute:  Part I:  The Beginning of an Era

Title of periodical:  Circulations: Cardiovascular Genetics

Volume and issue number (if available):  V1, I1

Date:  January 2008

Pages on which article appears:  51-57

Link to article:  http://circgenetics.ahajournals.org/content/1/1/51.full

Resource searched:  Google Scholar

Keywords used:  genomics, medicine

Search strategies used (including operators and types of searches): AND

Date of search: 2-20-12

Number of hits: 231,000

Relevance of hits (on a scale of 1 to 5):  4

RJA 5a - Books

Authors, Editors, Translators, and/or compilers:  Peter S. Harper, Author and Editor

Title and Subtitle:  Landmarks in Medical Genetics:  Classic papers with commentaries

Edition number or information:  NA

Number(s) of volume used:  NA

Name of series:  NA

Place of publication:  NA

Name of Publisher:  Oxford University Press

Date of publication (copyright):  2004

Resource Searched:  books.google.com

Keywords used:  gene mapping, medicine

Search Strategies used:  AND

Date of search:  2-20-12

Number of hits:  13,400

Relevance of hits (1-5):  5

Authors, Editors, Translators, and/or compilers:  Edited by Theodore Friedmann, Jay C. Dunlap, Stephen F. Goodwin

Title and Subtitle:  Advances in Genetics

Edition number or information:  1^st edition

Number(s) of volume used:  76

Name of series:  Advances in Genetics

Place of publication:  USA

Name of Publisher:  Academic Press

Date of publication (copyright):  2011

Resource Searched:  books.google.com

Keywords used:  genetics, medical advances

Search Strategies used:  AND

Date of search:  2-20-12

Number of hits:  18,700

Relevance of hits (1-5):  4

Authors, Editors, Translators, and/or compilers:  Lyyn B. Jorde, John C. Carey, Michael J. Bamshad

Title and Subtitle:  Medical Genetics

Edition number or information:  Fourth edition

Number(s) of volume used:  NA

Name of series:  NA

Place of publication:  Philadelphia, PA, USA

Name of Publisher:  Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Date of publication (copyright):  2006

Resource Searched:  books.google.com

Keywords used:  genetics, medicine

Search Strategies used:  AND

Date of search:  2-20-12

Number of hits:  186,000

Relevance of hits (1-5):  3

Authors, Editors, Translators, and/or compilers: Gerard Magill

Title and Subtitle:  Genetics and ethics:  an interdisciplinary study

Edition number or information:  NA

Number(s) of volume used:  NA

Name of series:  NA

Place of publication:  USA

Name of Publisher:  Saint Louis University Press

Date of publication (copyright):  2004

Resource Searched:  books.google.com

Keywords used:  genetic medicine, ethics

Search Strategies used:  AND

Date of search:  2-20-12

Number of hits:  25,000

Relevance of hits (1-5):  4

Authors, Editors, Translators, and/or compilers: John E. J. Rasko, Gabrielle O’Sullivan, Rachel A. Ankeny

Title and Subtitle:  The ethics of inheritable genetic modification: a dividing line?

Edition number or information:  NA

Number(s) of volume used:  NA

Name of series:  NA

Place of publication:  USA

Name of Publisher:  Cambridge University Press

Date of publication (copyright):  2006

Resource Searched:  books.google.com

Keywords used:  gene maping, ethics

Search Strategies used:  AND

Date of search:  2-20-12

Number of hits:  12,900

Relevance of hits (1-5):  5

RJA 4a:

Author:  Maya Pines
Title of the article:  Progress Continues
Title of Reference Work:  Blazing a Genetic Trail:  A report from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Place of Publication:  Online
Name of Publisher:  Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Date of Publication:  Unknown
Page Numbers:  NA
Web Address: http://www.hhmi.org/genetictrail/h100.html
Resource Searched:  ipl.org
Keywords used:  Genetic Medicine
Search Strategies used:  genetics AND medicine
Date of search:  2-13-12
Relevance of hits:  4

Author:  NA
Title of the Article:  Handbook:  Help me understand genetics
Title of Reference Work:  The US National Library of Medicine
Place of publication:  Online
Name of Publisher:  Genetcs Home Reference:  Your guide to understanding Genetic Conditions
Date of Publication:  February 6th, 2012
Page Number:  NA
Web Address:  http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook
Resource Searched:  Genetics Home Reference
Search Strategies used:  Genetics AND medicine; gene mapping AND medicine
Date of search:  2-13-12
Relevance of hits:  3

RJA 4b
1)  Discuss with my family physician or other doctors I know
2)  Discuss with a representative at a pharmaceutical company
3)  Discuss with hospital staff
4)  Attend a Clinical Genetics conference or meeting (Denver Genetic Labs at CU Boulder)
5)  Artempt to speak with some of the people contributing to the Human Genome Project

RJA 3

Term	Gene Mapping	Medicine	Ethics
FO	DNA mapping		Medical Ethics
REST	Human Genome Project Gene mapping for prevention Gene mapping for cure	Genetic medicine Pros and cons to pharmaceutical medicine	Hippocratic oath Cost and effectiveness vs. feasability
LOG ETHICS,MEDICINE,GENEMAPPING

I still don't have my book; I'm sorry, but it might be some time before it arrives.  I will just continue taking docks for it in the mean time.

RJA 2a

My topic is centered around the impact of gene-mapping and genetic research, and the impact it has on the world of medicine.  My girlfriend is a nurse, and as such, this is a topic that has been discussed quite often.  DNA sequencing has been used in forensic science for some time now, and the development of genome-mapping via the Human Genome Project has opened up new venues for the use of genetics in favor of traditional pharmaceuticals.  Medicine has always been an intriguing subject for me, and the genetic advances of late have been even more eye-popping; the idea that our illnesses and ailments can be addressed not by introducing a foreign pharmacological substance, but rather adjusting our own DNA, is revolutionary.

As of right now, I know that genetic testing is available for expectant mothers and babies.  Down’s syndrome and turner’s syndrome, both caused by either having too few or too many chromosomes at birth, and both can be detected via spinal tap in mothers or a DNA swab in babies.  I also am aware that there are quite a few DNA swabbing techniques utilized for allergy testing, among others, but I’m not sure to what extent.

The goal for my writing this paper is to learn more about the following aspects of genetic medicine:

1. What  genetic medicine is capable of from a prevent/cure standpoint (doctor’s perspective)
2. How  genetic medicine may change the day-to-day routine for patients (patient perspective)
3. If  genetic medicine is a complement or competition for pharmaceutical drugs
4. What, if any, ethical barriers may impact the growth of genetic medicine as an industry

RJA 2b
Wikipedia - Medical Genetics is different from human genetics in the sense that human genetics may or may not apply to medicine; medical genetics is intended to diagnose, cure, and prevent genetic disorders.
Google Scholar - Several challenges are faced by primary care physicians in order to integrate genetic medicine.  There are certain tests already in place to test for things like cystic fibrosis and haemochromatosis, but to integrate further, we must fully understand the genetic process.  It may be a while before useful test results are obtained, and in the beginning stages, this may provide more questions than answers.
Google Blog Search - Distinguishing between enhancement and prevention might be a gray area for some time.
Technorati - A “DNA reader” may be nearing completion - a complete readout of a person’s entire genetic makeup might become possible for $1,000 or less.  This might allow genome mapping for those who aren’t even ill, going into previously untouched ethical territory.
Addictomatic - Walgreens is getting ready to sell Genetic Testing kits for beterrn $30-$50 - once purchased, the sample can be sent into the company for further analysis.  For between $79-$279, one can find out a plethora of information; from whether they’re allergic to specific types of medication, to whether they are predisposed for up to 70 diseases.

RJA 2c

I have yet to get my book.... but I will complete this shortly.

Research topics

To what extent, if any, does a post-graduate education further one's career?

To what extent, if any, does the presence of pets impact those suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Are most start-up businesses in the USA destined to fail?

To what extent, if any, does the lack of patient accountability impact the cost of healthcare?

What sort of impact will genetic research and genome mapping have on medicine?