Tests that look for genetic variations linked to a number of common diseases are now available over the Internet. But a patient who walks into the doctor's office with a thick file of genetic information will probably find that the doctor has no idea what to do with it. A new project, launched in December by the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, in Camden, NJ, aims to change that.

The institute will offer free genetic testing to 10,000 local volunteers over the next two years. Participants will get information on their genetic risk for a number of diseases and a way to share that information with their physicians. The program will also help both physicians and patients learn what to do with genetic information once they have it. Researchers will examine every step of the process to figure out how physicians can best incorporate genetic information into their practice to prevent and treat disease.

"Even though what's medically relevant is limited, the technology to do these studies is exploding," says Michael Christman, president and CEO of the institute. "It's early days, but we need to start thinking about this right now."   Read More...