Connection Between Epigenome, Selective Mutability, Evolution, and Human Disease
Li, Harris et al., PLoS Genetics
Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine and elsewhere propose a "connection between the epigenome, selective mutability, evolution, and human disease" based on the findings of their study on associations of structural mutability with germline DNA methylation and with non-allelic homologous recombination mediated by low-copy repeats. "Combined evidence from four human sperm methylome maps, human genome evolution, structural polymorphisms in the human population, and previous genomic and disease studies consistently points to a strong association of germline hypomethylation and genomic instability," the Baylor-led team writes.
CVS Follows Walgreens Down Pathway of Least Resistance
CVS Caremark has joined Walgreens in postponing plans to sell Pathway Genomics' consumer genetic-testing kits in its stores until Pathway squares its regulatory issues with the FDA.
CVS, which had initially planned to offer the tests in its stores in August, "will follow the FDA discussions closely and make a final decision on whether to carry this product after their questions about the test kits are resolved," CVS spokesman Mike DeAngelis told Dow Jones Newswires today.
The move comes five days after CVS rival Walgreens chose "not to move forward with offering the Pathway product to our customers until we have further clarity on this matter."
The decision by the two pharmacy giants — and especially CVS Caremark , a sophisticated supporter of genetic testing — underscores the need for regulatory transparency and fairness, and highlights how far the FDA has slipped behind the rapidly evolving DTC genetic-testing landscape.