Posts filed under ‘Genetic Testing’
Health – Genetic Tests – Patents (2000)
Barcode (ID): 09B0461845 
Main Search Term and Keywords: Genetic Testing, Genome
Date of Broadcast: 24th July 2000
Clip Duration: 3 min 22 seconds
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Description: After all the warnings of biotech firms trying to buy up rights to your genes it’s happening. The NHS is facing a massive bill for women who need to be tested for cancer. Channel Four News has learned that an American company is just weeks off securing the European patent for genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer. The company, Myriad will have the rights to the test called BRaCA One and plans to charge the NHS to use it. Myriad already charges between £1,500 to £2,000 for women wanting the test privately. Now clinicians are warning that if this goes ahead other companies will charge for the use of their patented genes.
- 5-10% of breast and ovarian cancers are inherited
- Women can be tested for specific genes
- One gene is about to secure a gene patent and so charge for it to be used
- Problems – reduce the number of people tested
- The American company Myraid and its UK partner Rosgen, charge £1,500 to £2000
- Patents in America and due to hold patent in Europe including UK
- Department of Health Statement – ‘Rosgen have recently launched a commercial genetic test for breast cancer and the Department of Health is currently in negotiations to secure the best possible BRCA testing service for the NHS…women will continue to receive the BRCA test on the NHS.’
- Problem – if NHS do not agree to the terms and conditions they would be sued in court – it is not what science is all about
- Problem – Rosgen could charge for the use of the gene testing back to when the patent was first filed
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Science – Chromosome Deciphered (1999)
Barcode (ID): 03B0548711 
Main Search Term and Keywords: Genetic Testing, Genome
Date of Broadcast: 1st December 1999
Clip Duration: 2 min 16 seconds
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Scientific illustration about structure of DNA
Description: It’s been described as the opening of the book of life. Scientists unravelling the human genetic code have for the first time deciphered an entire chromosome – chromosome number 22 to be exact. It is just one many coiled strands of DNA found in the nucleus of every human cell – the genetic recipe that makes a human being. The sequence published in the journal, Nature, tomorrow, is the first phase of an electronic database that heralds a biological revolution.
- Over 200 computers in Cambridge are writing the ‘book of life’
- End of mapping the human genome
- First chromosome described (chromosome 22)
- 2-3 years complete describtion of all chromosomes
- Diagram/illustration of the structure of DNA
- Chromosome 22 – the second smallest, up to 27 human disorders linked to faults on this piece of DNA
- Aim – to be able to tailor drugs to specific human being
- Challenge ahead – to find out how all genes work and how to use it wisely
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Genetic Fingerprints (1987)
Barcode (ID): 06B0195939 
Main Search Term and Keywords: Genetic Testing
Date of Broadcast: 10th August 1987
Clip Duration: 7 min 10 seconds
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Very good description of the science behind DNA and how it is used to identify people in criminal investigations
Describes the lab process – extraction of DNA using gel electrolysis
Description: A High Court Judge has been persuaded to allow the use of ‘genetic fingerprinting’ in a criminal court case for the first time. The case, which comes before the Old Bailey next month, could revolutionise the way in which people are identified. ‘Genetic fingerprinting’ provides a means of uniquely identifying people by patterns in the body’s genes detected in small samples of blood, semen or skin. Besides criminal investigations the technique will be invaluable in determining paternity cases. The chances against two people having the same genetic fingerprints are 30,000 million to one (or 4 times the Earth’s population).
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Designer Babies – Report Due (2003)
Barcode (ID): 03D0625690 
Main Search Term and Keywords: Designer Babies, IVF, In Vitro Fertilisation, Genetic Testing
Date of Broadcast: 11th November 2003
Clip Duration: 1 min 41 seconds
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Good for illustrating how IVF and test tube techniques are being exploited for parents wanting only to ‘balance their families’ and not for medical purposes.
Description:
The sex of our children is one of the few surprises left in life. And that’s the way it’s going to stay. A report tomorrow by the fertilisation watchdog is expected to say those parents who want to choose – just to balance their families – won’t be allowed to. But it’s thought some designer babies will still be permitted, to avoid gender-related illnesses like haemophilia.
- Alan Masterton fought for right to choose the sex of his baby after his daughter died aged 3 and due to already having 4 boys
- Many go abroad for this treatment – many cannot afford
- Gender selection only currently available to couples have compelling genetic grounds - gender related diseases
- Dr Mohamed Taranissi, fertility expert believes medicine is only for curing illness and disease and choosing whether to have a boy or a girl is not an illness that needs intervention from medical profession
- Report due tomorrow
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Inherited genetic disorders (1989)
Barcode (ID):06B0195994 
Main Search Term and Keywords: Genetic Testing, Abortion
Clip Duration: 3 min 49 seconds
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A very descriptive scientific section on genetic testing/screening process illustrating the human chromosomes
A short section on anti-abortion campaigners against screening at the end of the clip.
Bear in mind, the clip is from 1989, when the technique was first discovered so may be a little outdated.
Description:
A revolutionary technique which could prevent babies being born with the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis has been condemned by anti-abortion campaigners.
- Sarah Walters has cystic fibrosis (CF) - despite chest infections, congested lungs, antibodies – has become a doctor
- Does not want to risk having a baby as it is a strong possibility it will also have CF
- 400 babies a year are born with CF, most do not survive past their 20′s – caused by a single faulty gene
- Gene has been identified by doctors at Hammersmith and St Marys hospital, in a human embryo
- Would mean mothers would be able to choose whether or not to have the baby – even before becoming pregnant
- Technique could also be used for other single gene diseases
- Explanation of genes and how the technique is carried out – very good science
- Next stage, choose sex of embryo to exclude sex related disorders – e.g. haemophilia
- Hoped in the future that a couple would be able to be genetically tested for up to 5 different diseases simply by analysing a mouthwash
- Opponents say all experiments should be outlawed as belief is that ‘life begins at fertilisation’
- A bill to govern test tube baby research is due at next parliament session with the choice of strict safeguards or banning completely
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Insurance/Genetic Testing (1997)
Barcode (ID): 03B0238053 
Main Search Term and Keywords: Genome, Genetic Testing
Date of Broadcast: 18th February 1997
Clip Duration: 3 mins 40 seconds
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High ethical content on discrimination of people who have had genetic tests to determine whether they carry the gene for particular genetic diseases and whether they are able to take out life insurance or even a mortgage for a house
Description:
Insurance companies have announced a new policy that will force people who have been genetically tested for an illness to disclose the results if they want life cover.
- Brother within family died due to heart disease- rest of family genetically tested
- Cannot get life insurance
- Scans show Russell Veitch has early stages of heart disease
- Insurance companies say any genetic testing must be declared however results are not taken into account if life insurance is taken out and the customer has a mortgage of less than £100,000
- Example: Mick Newing and his son – advises testing against genetic disease as even though his symptoms are incredibly mild (a slight skin rash) he cannot get a mortgage
- Scientists say, as field of genetics expands, the tests will not be specialised enough to identify who will develop the disease and cannot be used for life insurance!
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