What do scientists and rock stars have in common? On the surface, not a heck of a lot.

But on May 25, they’ll all be gracing the pages of GQ Magazine as part of a nationwide effort to recognize the achievements of some of today’s top scientific minds.

Among those featured in the “Rock Stars of Science” public service campaign is Dr. David Agus, who co-founded Navigenics with the overall goal of improving personal health. Dr. Agus is also a nationally recognized cancer researcher and physician with the University of Southern California.

Haven’t heard of him? That’s exactly the point of the Rock Stars of Science project.

Nearly three-fourths of Americans polled could not name a single living scientist in a 2006 survey commissioned by Research!America. A separate survey for Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry determined that Britney Spears is more influential than Stephen Hawking among most Americans.

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Heather Bonaguidi is making an effort to include more anti-oxidants and whole grains in her diet.

Rashaad Forehand is drinking less alcohol and cutting down on his ice cream intake.

These are the sorts of healthier choices we’re all told to make, and that many of us ignore. But Heather and Rashaad have extra motivation – they’ve learned about some of the personal health risks carried in their DNA.

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After little more than a week at Navigenics, I have had the chance to touch the power of genomic science.

For thousands of years, people have searched for ways to see their future, turning to shamans, palm readers, tarot cards and horoscopes. And the answers that they got were useful if they believed in how they got them, but to a “scientific” observer they were answers without proof.

In the past 20 years, genomic science has unlocked many of the “secrets” about us, and in the past few years, that science has allowed us to translate discoveries into practical guidance.

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Alzheimer’s disease, long a condition deeply feared because it seems so hopeless, is getting a new look from a brighter angle.

This week, HBO is airing a new documentary series, “The Alzheimer’s Project,” that includes two segments on promising new research. As the online introduction to the series says, “There is no cure – but there is hope.”

The Alzheimer’s Association, a partner in the HBO project, is leading a new push for advocacy, awareness, and a search for treatments.

And at Navigenics, we are helping our members learn about their genetic Alzheimer’s risks, so that they can be aware, informed, and involved on a personal level earlier.

Recently, ABC’s “Nightline” co-anchor Terry Moran became his own news story as he turned the cameras onto himself and got a Navigenics genetic test to learn whether he had a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease. He shared his concerns, his family history, his results, and his reactions with the millions of Americans who tuned in.

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Some people prefer shopping online, whether it’s a book, movie ticket or a genetic test that they’re seeking. Others would rather have more personal interaction and feel the most comfortable talking to a physician about anything even remotely related to their health.

With that in mind, Navigenics has made it much easier for consumers to find physicians who have been trained in integrating our genetic testing into their practice. We’ve just introduced a new “Find a physician” feature that enables customers to select from a growing list of physicians offering the Navigenics genetic testing services to patients.

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Genetic testing is a relatively new field, and not surprisingly, many consumers have questions about it. What are the benefits? What are the risks? And perhaps most importantly, is it right for me right now?

Dr. Eric J.Topol, director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in San Diego, discusses these issues in a thoughtful new video blog called “Are Genome-Wide Scans Ready for Prime Time?”

Should people get a genetic test now to learn their genetic risk for many common health conditions? Should they wait until scientific research has yielded even more information about the genetic underpinnings of health before they proceed?

While naysayers have suggested that consumers should put off testing until all the pieces of our genetic puzzles are in place, “There’s no real answer to this debate,” Topol says in his video, which was posted on Medscape, a website for physicians.

Certainly, sound science will bring new advances to the field in the future. But that is no reason not to get a genetic test today.

“There is another view here, and that is by having this information that may be empowering to individuals – and that may be a good thing,” Topol says in the video.

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