Posts Tagged ‘Google’

Microsoft to Join Scripts, Navigenics and Affymetrix in 20 Year Genetic Screening Test

10/14/2008 , 10:08 AM by Alex Sicre

I read a blurb in ePharmaceuticals about Microsoft teaming up with Scripps Translational Science Institute, Navigenics and Affymetrix “to study the impact of genetic screening on individuals’ behavior. The aim is to determine what effect, if any, information about one’s chances of contracting a particular disease has on how people live their lives.”

“Researchers will study the genomes of up to 10,000 employees and family members of the Scripps Health system in San Diego who volunteer for the project and will monitor changes in their behavior over a 20-year period. Under the plan, Affymetrix will scan participants’ genomes and Navigenics will interpret the results and provide participants with guidance on how to lessen the chances of contracting diseases to which they may be genetically predisposed. Participants will be able to store their tests results, and related data, in a Microsoft HealthVault account.”

This study is pretty significant to me and I’m sure to the Genomics community – too bad we will have to wait 20 years to see the results. I have had a few conversations, online and off, about the importance of genetic testing and what it will really do to change patient behavior.

One person claimed genetic testing has to be covered by insurance to determine risk factors to enable behavioral change – ie. if you are at risk for diabetes, control your weight and diet. Another person thought that no matter what people know about their “health future” and possible conditions, they will do little to change their behavior.

I am on the fence about testing on a personal level, but feel that people who want to have it done and can afford it, should have it done. 23andMe now offers a $399 personal genetics service – which is pretty hard to pass up. I know that if I found out something horrible, and shared it with my wife, she would want /make me to change my lifestyle to reflect what “might” happen – so that is a deterrent. On the hypocritical flip side, I would like to have my children tested for just that reason.

Last month, Sergey Brin (co-founder of Google and husband of Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe’s co-founder) wrote on his personal blog about 23andMe and his higher risk of developing Parkinson’s. This created a lot more buzz around 23andMe, genetic testing and PD – bringing the issue back into the national forum. I wonder if Google Health and 23andMe will launch their own study?

I am very interested to see what becomes of Scripts study and to see if people will change their behaviors based on their genetic makeup. Perhaps they will start reporting at the 5 year mark to give us a taste of what how patients are trending? Unless there are incentives provided, I doubt many people will change their behavior. ie. people smoke for years, knowing it can kill them, but as soon as their company /health plan offers them an incentive to quit, they try to quit.

I already know I am at risk for diabetes, cancer and heart disease, based on my family history – but one day soon I will get tested to see everything else that is in my DNA. Perhaps it will be this year’s Christmas present to the family.

Personal Voice and other Medication Adherence “Scams”

09/30/2008 , 9:20 AM by Alex Sicre

I subscribe to a number of Google Alerts regarding medication non/ adherence /compliance. For the most part they are pretty spot on regarding articles with my chosen keywords, new research, blog posts etc… At least once a day is a link to a faux blog that simply lists keywords with advertising and links to other spam sites.

Once such site came up today, but also revealed some useful information – ie. NCPIE is promoting October as Talk About Prescriptions Month (more on this in another post) but they have a broken link to the site.

The text isn’t well written, but they do promote the importance of medication adherence and the role of the caregiver. It mentions a service called Personal Voice with a link to the website Family Focus Working Caregivers that has broken links and some healthcare information. Overall a horribly designed site, but offers the Personal Voice service which will call your loved ones for you in case you do not have the time to make sure they are taking their medications.

I called the number provided to get an information package. The voicemail thanked me for calling and asked me to dial the extension I wanted. I dialed “0″ and got a voicemail that simply stated “Personal Voice”. I did a Google Search for “Personal Voice Inc.” and here is what I got:

At first I thought it was just a problem with them managing their online reputation – since the first four results are negative. I then read the posts and they all describe the service as a scam. They deduct money from one’s checking account monthly, yet do not provide a service. They are tied to another company which is a debit-for-credit-card scam as well.

This just makes me mad. A company using medication non-adherence rates to scare caregivers into signing up for a service that is simply a scam to make money. Luckily they are now being investigated by the FBI. I have encountered a number of email phishing scams this year, and other online attempts to get information, but this is the first I have seen involving medication non-adherence.

Caregivers out there, be careful with the services you sign up for. Make sure they are legitimate and will provide a beneficial service for your loved ones. Check with the better business bureau and do a Google Search to check the company’s reputation.

I have not included any links from this post on purpose.

Good Blog about Google Health

05/29/2008 , 9:55 AM by Alex Sicre

I have been playing around a bit on Google Health and have some issues, which I will discuss in a later post. I found this post from FutureHIT and thought it was a good summation of how GH might be used by all in the healthcare spectrum.