relative 399.rel.002 Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire

Here we provide recommendations to improve predictions and support continued growth of this industry.


(Ng, Murray, and Venter, 2009). My thinking was that the industry-friendly bias affords reduced skepticism of the article’s criticisms of the industry. Additionally, the Ng et al. (2009) article references a “ … statement of conflicting interests … “ which adds to its persuasiveness. The bottom-line?

Agreement on risk predictions by DTC [direct to consumer] companies does not necessarily imply that the predictions are accurate or meaningful, and at this point in time [October 2009], we cannot determine who has the ‘best’ predictions. To effectively assess the clinical validity of these genetic tests the community needs more prospective studies with tens or hundreds of thousands of individuals that measure the predictive value of known markers. [Footnotes omitted.] Such studies are useful because they consider risk markers simultaneously, measure the interaction between different markers and do not assume a risk model. It may be practical to prioritize common diseases with significant health impact because of the large numbers of individuals and the expense associated with prospective studies.



(Ng et al., 2009). Apparently, then, the connection between the DTC predictions and expected realty is -- hopefully – an educated guess. Tellingly, when Ng et al. (2009) submitted the DNA of five people to two of the largest DTC companies, at best

… only two-thirds of relative risk predictions qualitatively agree between 23andMe and Navigenics.


Ethically, then, how does one assess handling this level of results’ ‘meaning’? In a nutshell, one of Wright and Keoese’s (2010) conclusions is:

However, to offer such tests to interested citizens who wish to investigate their own genomes or participate directly in the research process, is appropriate so long as providers are transparent about the evidence base for the test and offer appropriate levels of support.

Hope 551.Hop.992 Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire

Dolores and Bob Hope have been married over fifty years, and throughout those memorable years she has shared the joy of giving to the world. Her dedication to home, family, the Roman Catholic Church and her many charitable endeavors for the unfortunate of the world notes Dolores Hope as one of the world's great humanitarians.

One of her most active philanthropies is her service to the Eisenhower Medical Center at Palm Desert, California. From 1968 to 1976, much of the hospital's early achievements are credited to the efforts of Dolores Hope. She presently is Chairman of the Board for the hospital, serves on the Board of Directors of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and gives unstinting support to her husband's many humanitarian works.