The rapid identification of genetic risk factors for common, complex diseases poses great opportunities and challenges for public health. Genetic information is increasingly being utilized as part of commercial efforts, including personal genomic testing, to provide consumers with genetic risk information related to common diseases. Few empirical data have been gathered to understand the characteristics … Continued
News
Plenary presentation at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology Precision Health Meeting
AGBT Precision Health Conference
September 2018
Dr. Robert C. Green speaks at the 2018 Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) Precision Health Conference in San Diego, California about our efforts to gather empirical data on genome sequencing healthy individuals. Watch to learn more about G2P’s MilSeq, BabySeq, MedSeq, PeopleSeq, PGen and REVEAL projects. Click here for more on the conference.
DNA test results may not do much to change health habits
CBS News
August 2017
Simply going through the process of DNA testing may help people improve their health behaviors, Dr. Robert C. Green says.
How to decipher direct-to-consumer genetic testing
Medical Economics
July 2017
Consumers seek DTC testing for a variety of reasons, “The easiest narrative is that you want to find out if you are at risk for something and hopefully prevent it to improve your health,” says Robert C. Green.
G2P Newsletter May 2017
Genomes2People
May 2017
In spring, The New York Times highlighted G2P’s work with REVEAL-SCAN, team members participated in a 10k marathon to raise money for genetic research, and G2P researchers published a new article on direct-to-consumer testing.
DTC genetic test results may prompt diet, exercise changes, PGen survey suggests
GenomeWeb
May 2017
Genetic test results may encourage individuals to edge closer to a healthy diet and exercise regime, a new study suggests. Robert Green and his co-authors on a paper appearing online today in BMC Medical Genomics noted that the general survey results “have the advantage of capturing a consumer experience about which the [US Food and … Continued
Uncertainty around new health-care law could affect those at risk for breast cancer
Rewire
March 2017
There are going to be a lot more people finding out that they are carrying one of these mutations, and they’re going to have to decide at what point do they bring it into the medical system.” Green says.
Sequencing a genome for less than the cost of an X-ray? Not quite yet
STAT News
January 2017
The price of genome sequencing is expensive, but will eventually become more affordable.
Studies probe value and impact of direct-to-consumer genetic testing
Brigham Women's Hospital
December 2016
Despite being on the market for nearly a decade, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing continues to be controversial among experts and raises concerns among health care providers and regulatory agencies. The NIH-funded “Impact of Personal Genomics (PGen) Study” addresses these concerns by empirically measuring the perceptions and tracking the behaviors of individuals who have received DTC … Continued
Genetic testing for cancer risk doesn’t change consumer behavior, PGen Study finds
GenomeWeb
December 2016
While there are a number of legitimate concerns regarding whether consumers misunderstand and consequently mismanage their health as a result of DTC genetic testing, all publications have shown there is no strong indication that DTC genetic testing has had a negative impact on consumers as found by Robert Green, director of the Genomes 2 People … Continued
Genomes, good news, and you
MIT News
September 2016
An interesting take on direct-to-consumer genetic testing that highlights the result of the PGen study that was conducted by both Brigham and Women’s and MIT.
What about personal genomic testing if you are adopted?
Huffington Post
March 2016
Genomes2Peoples study on personal genetic testing proved to be very beneficial for adoptees that were curious about their family genetic history.
Study: Many doctors aren’t prepared to advise patients about genetics
Fast Company
March 2016
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing has brought people into doctors offices for second opinions or possible referrals for preventive medicine about potential conditions found when receiving back their results. What patients are finding is that many physicians are skeptical about the use of genetic testing in most cases.
Lab Chat: What people do with their genetic tests
STAT
March 2016
After a consumer uses direct personalized genomic testing, they have an option to bring those result to a physicians office. While there is still much skepticism toward direct-to-consumer testing, many doctors dismiss the entirely of the results, while other physicians are more open to using the results to work on personal health for their patients.
Patients get mixed reactions from docs over mail-ordered genetic tests
Reuters
February 2016
“About a quarter of people who ordered direct-to-consumer genetic testing from companies like 23andMe reported discussing the results with their primary care doctors. But nearly one in five were not at all satisfied with the conversations, researchers report”
Motivations for personalized genetic testing include explaining – not just predicting
Huffington Post
January 2016
A blog post written by Robert Green addresses why people are motivated for continued with personalized genetic testing. “Our study suggested that the motivations for this interest go beyond simply predicting risk… and that for these participants, their fascination with genetics was an attempt to understand the condition that they had,” he says.
Unlocking my genome: Was it worth it?
CNBC
December 2015
Megan Tirrell seeks out Dr. Robert Green to have her genome sequenced and discusses her experience through the entire process; from meetings with the genetic counselors and learning about cost and variants of unknown significance, to getting her results in her disclosure meetings.
23andMe is jumping back into the market
Medical Xpress
October 2015
Dr. Robert Green shares his insight on the 23andMe initiative and what people should know from these results. “I think this is something that has to be monitored as these services expand their market to less-sophisticated individuals.”
23andMe relaunches direct-to-consumer gene test
Wall Street Journal
October 2015
The FDA has cleared 23andMe to resell their small genetic test kit to consumer to find out if they carry a genetic variant for only some diseases. While not all are available to consumers, many are still interested in knowing about these specific 36 that are included in the test.
Genomic testing makes consumers less confident in understanding genetics (and that’s probably okay)
Huffington Post
October 2015
How well do people who receive genomic information from direct-to-consumer testing, such as 23andMe, understand their results? The Impact of Personal Genetic Study (PGen) asked consumers to report on their experience.
Measuring harm in direct-to-consumer genetic testing
Genepod
January 2015
Can we ever fully trust personal gene tests?
BBC
January 2014
23andMe CEO responds to FDA warning letter
The Wall Street Journal
November 2013
At CGC, new PGen study data on emotional and practical impacts of DTC testing
GenomeWeb
October 2013
Do consumers who order gene testing discuss results with their doctors? Not likely, study finds
Boston Globe
September 2013
New study launched investigating the impacts of personal genomic testing
Brigham Women's Hospital
March 2012
“The goal is to produce results that can be translated into recommendations to guide policy and practice in this rapidly emerging area,” said Green.
