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Your weekly dose of evidence
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DNA testing can tell us whether we’re at risk of developing certain diseases that run in families, including some types of cancers and heart disease. This is a good thing because people who know they’re at higher risk can then take actions to reduce that risk. They can have regular check-ups, and in certain circumstances might consider preventative medications or surgeries.
Screening everyone’s DNA could improve the health outcomes of the whole population. As technology improves, the cost of DNA screening declines, and the Australian government invests in genomics, universal DNA screening is becoming feasible.
But will people actually want to know if they’re at risk of developing disease? As Paul Lacaze and Jane Tiller write, this is an exciting prospect that could in the future save many lives. But at the same time, it raises some difficult ethical questions.
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Phoebe Roth
Assistant Editor, Health+Medicine
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Screening millions of healthy people for their risk of disease can be cost-effective. But it raises ethical and regulatory concerns.
from www.shutterstock.com
Paul Lacaze, Monash University; Jane Tiller, Monash University
As DNA testing becomes cheaper, it becomes more feasible to screen large numbers of healthy people for their risk of disease.
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From the archives: genetic testing
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Gina Ravenscroft, University of Western Australia; Nigel Laing, University of Western Australia; Royston Ong, University of Western Australia
Most of us will be carriers of recessive genes that cause disease. If our partner carries the same gene we could pass it on to our kids. Testing exists, but what are the pros and cons?
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Loane Skene, University of Melbourne
When a family member dies from a disease caused by a genetic mutation, doctors have to decide whether to share the deceased person's test results with the rest of the family.
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Anna Vinkhuyzen, The University of Queensland; Naomi Wray, The University of Queensland
If you could take a test that would reveal the diseases you and your family might be more likely to get, would you want to do it?
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Jane Tiller, Monash University; Paul Lacaze, Monash University
Online genetic testing promises many things. Some are the stuff of fantasy, while others, even if scientifically feasible, still carry risks. Consider these five things before ordering a test.
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Indigenous health package
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Being separated from their children affects the mental well-being of Aboriginal mothers in prison.
ChrisMilesProductions/Shutterstock
Sacha Kendall, University of Technology Sydney; Eileen Baldry, UNSW; Elizabeth Sullivan, University of Newcastle; Juanita Sherwood, University of Sydney; Stacey Lighton, University of Technology Sydney
Aboriginal mothers in prison feel intergenerational trauma and the forced removal of their children are the most significant factors impacting their health and well-being.
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Following the deaths of an alarming number Indigenous young people earlier this year, Australian leaders were urged to declare a ‘national crisis’.
Shutterstock
Julia Hurst, University of Melbourne
Policies aimed at reducing youth suicide will fail if they don't acknowledge the cumulative effects of history, associated intergenerational trauma and ongoing violence towards Indigenous Australians.
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Beth Armstrong, Edith Cowan University; Juli Coffin, Telethon Kids Institute
The absence of Indigenous Australians in rehabilitation services has created the belief they don't want therapy. The reality is they want services which better meet their cultural needs.
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Roy Hay, Deakin University
With the AFL's indigenous round about to take place, it's important to recognise the full history of Indigenous involvement in the sport, including the many obstacles players faced.
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Expert answers to serious, weird and wacky questions
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Mihiri Silva, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Your teeth started to grow even before you were born.
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David Farmer, University of Melbourne
A sigh is the brain's way of stopping the tiny sacks in your lung from collapsing.
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Top picks from the week
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The majority of people in Australia who haven’t had all the vaccinations they need are adults.
From shutterstock.com
Lucy Deng, University of Sydney; Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney; Nicholas Wood, University of Sydney
There are many reasons adults might not be up to date with the vaccinations they need. Catching up is easy enough, and vitally important in the fight against infectious diseases.
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Featured jobs
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Griffith University — Bundall, Queensland
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University of Melbourne — Parkville, Victoria
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La Trobe University — Melbourne, Victoria
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CSIRO — Clayton, Victoria
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Featured events
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Law Building G04, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia — UNSW
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Monash University Law Chambers, Auditorium rooms, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia — Monash University
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The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia — University of Sydney
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Treasury Theatrette, 1 Macarthur Street, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia — Australia New Zealand School of Government
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