March 12
,
2012
by: ASRM Office of Public Affairs
Published in ASRM Bulletin Volume 14, Number 16
NIH Director, Francis Collins has announced the opening of the Genetic Testing Registry, available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/.
The registry, run by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), will contain information voluntarily submitted by genetic test providers, both companies and non-profit entities. The information will include the purpose of each test and its limitations; the name and location of the provider; whether it is a clinical or research test; what methods are used; and what is measured. The registry will not include individual test results or confidential information about people who undergo genetic testing.
Right now, genetic tests exist for about 2,500 diseases and more are in the process of being developed. Most of the tests listed in the GTR are for Mendelian disorders and do not include whole-genome sequencing or direct-to-consumer tests.
To see Video Tutorials on using the Genetic Testing Registry, go to http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1C4A2AFF811F6F0B.
For more information, see the NIH press release at http://www.nih.gov/news/health/feb2012/od-29.htm.
Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health Announced
Margaret A. Hamburg, MD, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, announced the appointment of Marsha Henderson to the position of Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health (Director of the Office of Women's Health), which became effective October 9, 2011. During her time as Acting Director of the Office of Women's Health, Ms. Henderson established a new strategic direction for the Office, provided leadership for the women's health research and outreach programs, supported publication of important peer-reviewed research, and expanded consumer outreach through social media, video, and print.
Ms. Henderson previously served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Women's Health, where she led the Outreach Program for the past 14 years. Throughout her tenure at FDA, she developed numerous award-winning initiatives, including the "Take Time To Care" national outreach program.
Ms. Henderson holds a graduate degree in Planning and Public Policy with a concentration in hospital administration from Rutgers University. During her 25-year government career, she has focused on addressing the needs of consumers, in particular the underserved-- including homeless people, substance abusers, migrants, and individuals with HIV, mental illness, or other chronic illnesses.
The ASRM Bulletin is published by ASRM's Office of Public Affairs to inform Society members of important recent developments. Republication or any other use of the contents of the Bulletin without permission is prohibited. To request permission to quote or excerpt material from the Bulletin, contact Sean Tipton at stipton@asrm-dc.org.