On Monday, news broke that Walgreens was about to announce a genetic test kit, available in stores starting on Friday. The kits would allow consumers to test for such things as how you respond to statins or blood-thinners; whether you carry genes ...
Tag Archive: genetics
Health Culture Daily Dose #9
In today's Dose: Health care reform (Robert Reich on the public option) Health news (Migraines, Nipple piercing and breast feeding) Obesity politics (TB and the thrifty gene) Medical journalism (Drug company ties to journalists) Health care reform Be sure to see today's two posts on Wendell Potter, the former health insurance executive who testified ...
Are you a supertaster: DNA testing
You can also have your DNA tested to see if you have the gene for bitter taste. As explained in the post on The genetics of supertasting, however, this may not be all that accurate. “It’s not clear that do-it-yourself genetic testing is worth the price. If you’re concerned about disease, you’d probably be better off with a healthy diet, not smoking, and moderate exercise.” (Since I wrote this post in April of 2009, the FDA has decided to look into new rules on direct-to-consumer genetic testing.)
The genetics of supertasting
If the supertaster’s ability to detect bitterness (and thus poisons) is so valuable, why did nontasters survive genetically? The evolution of taste discrimination and its survival value. … “Supertasters learn not to eat bitter, poisonous berries after the first bite, not after they get a fatal stomach ache. The explanation could be that tasters and nontasters are sensitive to different sets of bitter tastes, and this combination of sensitivities gives an advantage to medium tasters.”
-
Food :: The Atlantic
Where the Salmonella Really Came FromSeptember 8 1:09 pmKevinMD.com
Anecdotal accounts of patient experiences with local physiciansSeptember 8 1:00 pmPharmalot
Boo! Wyeth And Its Ghostwriting PracticesSeptember 8 12:54 pmStreet Anatomy
YEASAYER “Madder Red”September 8 12:03 pmInsideSurgery Medical Information Blog
Malaria Classic Clinical TriadSeptember 8 6:06 amMore Thyme Than Dough
Twinkie Twinkie Little FoodSeptember 8 4:10 amGary Schwitzer's HealthNewsReview Blog
Goldmines for drug and device makers in expanding heart markets: two important stories you shouldn't missSeptember 7 4:51 pmHealth News from NHS Choices
Heart risk from working late?September 7 4:41 pmMedical Futility Blog
Physicians' Fears of Malpractice Lawsuits Are Not Assuaged by Tort ReformsSeptember 7 11:36 amGeriPal - Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog
Advance Care Planning: A Paradigm ShiftAugust 30 2:29 am