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First Annual Consumer Genetics Conference To Demystify Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests, Discuss Best Practices And Provide Forum For Dialogue
With consumer genetics becoming more of a reality to the average consumer and direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetics tests becoming more available, thought leaders, experts and DTC companies will convene in Boston on June 9-11 for the first annual Consumer Genetics Conference to move the issues to the forefront and demystify this emerging field. Preeminent leaders from government, healthcare, biotechnology and diagnostic fields, will examine consumer genetics, including its practical realities and complex policy considerations; speakers and companies will present new advances and information on available genetic tests and developments in this field. The conference is open to all who are curious, impacted by, and interested in consumer genetics, including consumers (http://www.consumergeneticsconference.com).

This Time Around, Debate Much Different
Insurance companies, "the industry that gets credit for helping to kill the Clinton administration"s health care overhaul 15 years ago," are now "striking a conciliatory tone as it faces the most serious attempt to overhaul the system since that effort collapsed," CQ Politics reports. With low favorability ratings and Democrats in control of the federal government, "insurers know they aren"t in a good bargaining position" this time around. They have already offered concessions, including providing "insurance in the individual markets to everyone, without regard to who is sick," and not "charging people who are ill higher rates and cut health care costs." But they"ve also been ""careful to structure their offers in such a way that appears significant but does not overpromise." An individual mandate for all Americans and an end to health screening for applicants could offer "a win-win outcome, one that will benefit not just patients but potentially the profits of the industry as well." But "perhaps the biggest motivation for insurers to deal now is that they fear what might happen if they don"t" - the "creation of a government-run plan that would be more attractive to the public and siphon off customers" (Adams, 6/1).
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Innovative Hand Dryer Pilot To Help Combat HCAIs, UK
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Diagnostics

Fertility Donor Debate, UK

Dr Gedis Grudzinskas the UK-based fertility expert issued the following statement in response to the statement by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority: 1)The term, fertility tourism trivialises the reality of poor and inadequate providing of services in UK. People seek cross border medical care for these reasons and only these reasons. Given the decline in health service in the public sector and escalating costs in the independent sector,it is natural to seek cost-effectiveness, or if you like value for money in all aspects of our lives including health care be it infertility or orthopaedic surgery. 2)The donor anonymity issue will not go away and it will continue to compromise our ability to interest women and men to make their gametes available before the fertility treament of less fortunate couples.In Italy the restrictive law was not changed but another law permitting a more liberal approach was achieved by pressure on the Government. If it is possible in Italy, then why not here. A simple opt in/out clause is all that is required to remove the greatest latest barrier to sperm and egg donation..... 3)Payment/compensation for donors is practised safely and effectively in a number of counties so once again,why not here.The regulator has finally acknowledged that payment in kind has bee practised for several years, setting the financial benchmark for "donor" eggs. The next step, although apparently bold, is not a big one to take. Fertility Focus


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