x
Breaking News
More () »

Healthwatch 16: Precision Medicine and Genomic Testing

There’s a lot of talk in the medical world about precision or targeted medicine, in other words, treating patients using their specific genetic code. That...

There's a lot of talk in the medical world about precision or targeted medicine, in other words, treating patients using their specific genetic code.

That's starting to happen at Geisinger Health System.

If you ask his mom, Cheryl Connolly of Forty Fort, Louden James is the best baby ever. He certainly is adorable. And almost-5-month-old Loudon also happens to be the youngest participant in Geisinger's MyCode project.

Our DNA contains our unique genetic code. A few years ago, Geisinger Health System started collecting DNA, from blood and saliva samples, from patients who consented to be part of the MyCode system.

Marci Barr is a genetic counselor. She meets with patients who've had a result from the testing.

"Translating these sort of genetic discoveries into some real-life practical medical care uses for them," Barr explained.

Barr says the scale of MyCode is notable. There's now a bio-bank of almost 100,000 people's samples.

A chart called a pedigree shows the genomic mapping of a family tree. She says it can be used for something called precision medicine -- treating someone specifically using not only their medical history, but their genomic code.

"Taking into account the whole picture of the person's genes, environment, lifestyle choices, to target medical care decisions to that individual.

Cheryl Connolly, who works in Geisinger's advancement office, had already consented to be part of the project. She was approached when she was pregnant to include her baby's genomic information, and didn't hesitate. She considered it an obligation as a new parent.

"I could do something that could prevent a future disease or complication for Loudon? I wanted to make sure I could do that for him," Connolly said.

According to Marci Barr, Geisinger officials don't return genetic results to parents. The children must consent on their own, once they turn 18.

Get more information here.

Before You Leave, Check This Out