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Cast Your Vote (Though It May Not Matter)

Newsweek's Mary Carmichael is polling her readers: should she "take an at-home gene test"? In the first post of her weeklong series, Carmichael ponders her own ambivalence to DTC genetic testing, and says that "there’s a DNA-collection kit on my desk now, taunting me — because although I bought the thing, I still can't decide whether I actually want to use it." Throughout the week, the author will post answers to her burning DTC questions from expert contributors, all the while polling her readership as to whether she should send along her spit. She asks that contributors "keep it short and sweet," admit their biases — namely, disclose financial stakes, if any, in the industry — and to not "insult [her] intelligence." Those interested can follow her decision-making process on Twitter (#DNAdilemma), she says, adding a disclaimer that "even if our reader poll ends up being 99 percent pro-test, I may decide to abstain." The Newsweek editor says she'll make her decision on Friday.

The Scan

Positive Framing of Genetic Studies Can Spark Mistrust Among Underrepresented Groups

Researchers in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances report that how researchers describe genomic studies may alienate potential participants.

Small Study of Gene Editing to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In a Novartis-sponsored study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment targeting promoters of genes encoding fetal hemoglobin could reduce disease symptoms.

Gut Microbiome Changes Appear in Infants Before They Develop Eczema, Study Finds

Researchers report in mSystems that infants experienced an enrichment in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Finegoldia and a depletion of Bacteroides before developing eczema.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Specificity Enhanced With Stem Cell Editing

A study in Nature suggests epitope editing in donor stem cells prior to bone marrow transplants can stave off toxicity when targeting acute myeloid leukemia with immunotherapy.