The Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel
Mackay, Richards et al., Nature
North Carolina State University's Trudy Mackay and her colleagues present the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel, "a community resource for analysis of population genomics and quantitative traits."
CER Report Says Clinical Diagnostics Worthy of Sharing $1.1B Recovery Ration
June 30, 2009
Improving clinical diagnostics is among the recommendations outlined by a federal government task force charged with "identifying key areas" worthy of sharing a $1.1 billion block of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
The report, which is part of the government's comparative effectiveness research initiative, suggests "comparing the benefits and harms of different interventions and strategies to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor health conditions in 'real world' settings," according to its executive summary. It was due to be handed to President Obama and Congress today.
Because it comprises recommendations, the 77-page report, penned by the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research, is gloriously vague: "Can physicians tailor therapy to specific groups of patients using ... diagnostic tests?" it taunts. "We don’t really know."
"Mandated" by ARRA earlier this year, the report suggests that "real-world" comparisons that should receive some of the billion-dollar booty "may include" diagnostic testing. It also hints that the Council, when it set out to define CER, "specifically included … diagnostic testing," which it said "has unique opportunities for coordinated investment … "
The ARRA cash is meant to be split three ways: the office of HHS Secretary Kathy Sebelius and NIH will each pocket $400 million, while $300 million will go to AHRQ.
The ball is now with Sebelius, who is required to submit "a specific plan" by July 30 for how she plans to spend the $1.1 billion.