DNA Sequencing

http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/26/why-cheaper-genetic-testing-could-cost-us-a-fortune/

Modern medicine has allowed us to cure many people of a variety of diseases and illnesses. However, there is still a lot that we do not understand and have not been able to treat properly. Some of these health issues are genetic, and significant progress is being made in these areas by promoting the development of sequencing a patient's DNA. 

The first human genome sequencing cost roughly $3 billion and took 10 years to complete. Today, it can cost less than $10,000 and results can come up within 1 day. Efficiency continues to improve each day due to the potential breakthroughs that may be achieved in modern medicine. Sequencing a person's DNA could allow health professionals to get a better grasp of how certain genetic conditions occur and how they can prepare in advance to save a patient's life in the future by predicting dangerous health conditions in the future.

Despite the low cost and increasing popularity of DNA sequencing, many scientists are skeptical as to whether or not this will actually drive down medical costs in general. If an individual finds out that they have a high-risk condition, they are likely to spend whatever money they have on the expensive medicine that is required to keep them alive longer.

Do you think that it is worth knowing your DNA sequence so that you can properly take care of yourself, or should you not know it so as to not spend too much money on potentially lifesaving medication?

A Closer Look at Autism

http://www.clinicalepigeneticsjournal.com/content/4/1/6

Despite the overall decrease of special education services to students between between 6 and 21 year olds by 5% from 2005 to 2010, assistance for individuals diagnosed with autism has increased by 91%.This article by the Clinical Epigenetics Journal takes a comprehensive look at the increasing rate of autism and what may be causing it. 

In the past, certain studies have indicated the possibility that a cause of autism in children comes from the presence of mercury, which can be found in fish, coal-fired power plants, thimerosal in vaccines, or dental amalgam.

Despite the apparent connection, it is not absolutely clear that these actually result in the recent increase of autism. However, this particular article notes that the spike in autism is related to the increase of high fructose corn syrup. The study highlights the increased consumption of HFCS, in sugars and sweeteners, found in the food and drinks that we consume each day. HFCS has been known to be associated with mercury. Since HFCS has a greater prevalence than ever before, this is exposing more people to mercury. Although there may not be immediate effects when it is consumed by an individual, it can affect the prevalence of autism in future generations.

This study has shed some light on the current Hg-Autism crisis that we have had difficulty identifying for a long time. Investigating further will allow us to find how we can change our efforts and reduce the prevalence of autism so that people can live healthy, and safe lives in the future.

UnitedHealth to Expand Globally

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444897304578044390351511894.html

In this new development, UnitedHealth Inc. is buying ninety percent of Brazil-based Amil for $4.3 billion. This is a major advancement in the international future of health care. "The UnitedHealth deal is just the latest sign of the globalization of the U.S. health-care sector. It's a demand for U.S. expertise on both the health-care provider and the health-plan side." 

The deal was put into action because investors feel that there is a great opportunity for financial growth and medical dependability for families in Brazil. The middle class will benefit from the option of having another insurance provider and the deal will also allow better health care and technology to be provided.

After Amil acquires the proposed $4.3 billion from the deal, the CEO of Amil, Edson Bueno said that it would stay in Brazil. "The money will stay here [in Brazil], we will invest here and generate jobs here." This is great for the nation because it allows for further growth and development of the nation and it will help many people living in Brazil by providing jobs and boosting the economy.

Solving of Shortages of Health Care Workers Overseas

http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/27/a-peace-corps-for-doctors-solving-shortages-of-medical-workers-abroad/

In this article posted by Time, a new effort is being made to get more medical workers to help developing countries and in the United States. The program, called the Global Health Service Partnership in conjunction with the Peace Corps, is being led by Vanessa Kerry, daughter of U.S. Senator John Kerry. One of the main draws about the program is that for each year an individual participates in the program $30,000 will be given to pay for outstanding college tuition loans. Kerry says, "There’s evidence people come back with better clinical skills, better appreciation of needs, more likely to work in underserved specialties." She also noted that the program is very efficient at sending workers and aid in the past 50 years in a "sensitive, integrated way" by becoming more efficient with workers, food, medicine, and other resources that people may need.

One of the important things about this program is that it specifically sends doctors and nurses overseas. The Peace Corps does not do this. This seems like a very good way to help underdeveloped areas of the world by getting better medical assistance than they currently have; students that just graduated from medical school also get valuable experience dealing with people from foreign countries while simultaneously paying off their college loans. This program could lead to better practice here in the United States as well.