The Navigator - Navigenics Blog
Genetic insights into health and wellness
August 26, 2009
At Navigenics, we join our colleagues in the genetics, health, and life science worlds in honoring the life of Senator Ted Kennedy.
The senator was not only a tireless advocate for health issues, but a leader who embraced health innovation. Years ago, he recognized the growing importance of genetic technologies in our lives, and worked to help pass one of the most important recent laws protecting our genetic information, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimation Act, or GINA.
Categories: Genetic privacy
| Email Post | Comments (1) | Permalink
March 17, 2009
With so many new genetic discoveries, technologies, and applications, the number of companies offering genetic testing has skyrocketed over the past few years.
As a genetics professional, it is incredibly exciting to me that the genetics field is becoming more accessible to more people.
But not all genetic tests are the same, and not all genetic testing companies offer accurate and useful services. How is a person to sort through all the options to make an informed decision?
Now, an independent lab testing group has made it easier to decide…
Categories: About Navigenics, Genetic privacy, Genetic counseling
| Email Post | Comments (0) | Permalink
August 14, 2008
Sometimes, knowing what your DNA says about your health isn’t enough – you’d like your doctor to be in the loop as well. But in the busy world of modern medicine, that kind of information sharing may not be as easy as it sounds.
Some physicians, for example, have so many medical advances to keep track of that they may not be accustomed to interpreting new types of genetic results. You and your doctor also usually don’t have as much time to talk as either of you would like. Did you know that the average medical appointment is only about seven minutes these days? That leaves little time to fit in a conversation about personal genetics results. And many people have concerns about whether they want their genetic information entered into their formal medical records.
f you’d like to talk with your physician about your genetic information, here are a few suggestions to help make that conversation more productive:
Categories: Genetic privacy, For physicians, Working with your doctor, Genetic counseling
| Email Post | Comments (13) | Permalink
June 24, 2008
When President Bush signed a powerful new law prohibiting genetic discrimination last month, it was great news – even though the law doesn’t take effect until next year. Here is how these safeguards matter in the meantime.
The new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or GINA, creates important protections that give you more control over your DNA and your health.
Categories: Genetic privacy, Policy
| Email Post | Comments (0) | Permalink