Northern California Chancellor’s Society Event

The Northern California UCLA Chancellor’s Society and fellow alumni, parents, and friends will gather for an exclusive reception and presentation featuring special guest:

Wayne W.Grody, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, Divisions of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics
Director, Molecular Diagnostic Laboratories and Clinical Genomics Center, UCLA School of Medicine

Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Hype vs. Reality

As DNA sequencing and genotyping methodologies have become dramatically faster and cheaper, molecular diagnostics has migrated outside of university-based medical centers. Particularly in the area of molecular genetic testing, which can be done on noninvasive DNA samples such as saliva, we have seen the birth of an expanding industry of internet-based, direct-to-consumer genetic testing and ancestry companies. These entities operate with little regulatory oversight, the results they provide are often frivolous and lack scientific evidence, and their paradigm of anonymous testing in the absence of genetic counseling or health care provider interpretation raises profound ethical questions. This presentation will consider these questions and compare the marketing claims to the reality of the DNA information provided in this curious shadow world of personalized medicine.

RSVP for this event is by invitation only.