At the end of October, Judge Susan Illston of the Northern District federal court of California ruled that Sequenom’s patent for its non-invasive testing was not patentable. Here’s the surprising reasons why:
Continue reading... November 20, 2013
Sequenom’s testing is not patentable: uses conventional techniques, not innovative
November 19, 2013
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here …
Today is the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. President Lincoln predicted that “the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.” By marking this anniversary, hopefully we will prove Lincoln wrong.
Continue reading... November 17, 2013
“Just because something’s always been done that way, doesn’t mean it should continue to be done that way”
“But that’s how we’ve always done it.” Who has not heard this–in a group project, at a business meeting, when someone proposes changing the order of a church service–and been incredibly frustrated? Here’s a lesson from someone who decided to do something different.
Continue reading... November 15, 2013
Where the DoD/VA prenatal testing guidelines fall short: the need for post-test counseling
With Veterans Day starting off this week, I have been examining the Department of Defense/Veterans Administrations guidelines concerning prenatal genetic testing. So far, the guidelines provide the most robust recommendations for pre-test counseling. Here, however, is where the guidelines fall short.
Continue reading... November 14, 2013
When expectant moms learn more about prenatal testing, what do they choose?
Yesterday’s post shared how the Department of Defense/Veterans Administration guidelines recognize the need for genetic counseling when offering prenatal testing. One of the methods was group counseling, in which the guidelines said participants learned best as compared to individual counseling or decision aids. What do participants choose then, that have learned best through group counseling?
Continue reading... November 13, 2013
DoD: counseling needed for Down syndrome prenatal testing
On Monday, Veterans Day, I featured the prenatal testing guidelines for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Administration (VA). Those guidelines make clear the need for patient counseling when offering prenatal testing for Down syndrome and other genetic conditions.
Continue reading... November 12, 2013
Happy Anniversary for Down Syndrome Prenatal Testing
This blog was launched on November 12, 2012. Here’s why I launched the blog, the most viewed post from the past year, a post needing some more views, and a request if you’ve found this blog useful over the past year.
Continue reading... November 11, 2013
What does the Department of Defense say about Down syndrome prenatal testing?
With today being Veterans Day in the United States, let’s see what the Department of Defense says about prenatal testing for Down syndrome.
Continue reading... November 8, 2013
Not a termination rate. An elimination rate.
If you haven’t noticed, a while back I added a “News” page to the blog (you can find the link under the tab for “Articles” on the homepage). Here’s a news item where a 90% termination rate would actually be lower than what is happening.
Continue reading...
Recent Comments