Brad Schaeffer of MedComp Sciences on Genetic Testing in the News – OCNJ Daily
Posted: November 7, 2021 at 1:03 am
MedComp Sciences is a company that provides DNA-based medical testing services to clinical healthcare providers. Brad Schaeffer is the Founder of MedComp Sciences and below he discusses a few instances of genetic testing and DNA making their way into the news.
For those who are unfamiliar, genetic testing refers to the process of sequencing human DNA to discover genetic mutations, anomalies, or differences.
The world of genetic testing is extremely varied, being used for everything from medical diagnostic purposes to solving cold cases. Recent breaking news stories have shone a light on the benefits and fascinating nature of this advancing science.
John Wayne Gacy was an infamous serial killer who operated in the Chicago area during the 1970s. Gacy was caught and arrested in 1978 when authorities discovered 29 bodies of young men and boys buried underneath his home. Until 2011, there were eight remaining unidentified victims. Gacy stacked these bodies one on top of the other. Due to his burial ritual, investigators could only determine who died first. Other than this, they didnt even have a timeline available to start tracking missing person cases.
Up until just a few days ago, Francis Wayne Alexander was one of those unidentified victims. After losing touch with Alexander in the late 1970s, his North Carolina-based family simply thought he had cut off communication with them and continued to live his life in Chicago.
After more than 40 years, Francis Wayne Alexander has now been confirmed as the fifth victim of Gacy following a breakthrough in testing the genetic evidence.
In 2011 a large-scale effort was made to begin genetic testing the then eight unknown Gacy victims. Each victim was exhumed and genetically tested. Once the DNA profiles were gathered, the investigation team put out a nationwide call. The group asked for any individuals who had male relatives disappear in or around Chicago in the 1970s to come forward. The newfound genetic profiles could now be compared to relative DNA samples to determine if any of the victims matched.
Within weeks of this new effort, William Bundy, then 19-years-old, was identified through genetic testing as a victim of Gacy. In 2017 Jimmy Haakenson, who was only 16-years-old when he disappeared, was identified. And now Francis Wayne Alexanders family has received the closure they deserve.
Police have expressed their appreciation of this genetic testing. Alexander would have never been considered a victim of Gacys without this testing. Previously, the only information on Alexander available were a few traffic tickets, the last of which was issued in January 1976. He also didnt fit the typical victim profile, so its unlikely that even if his family did report him missing, they could have made any connection.
While Haakenson and Bundys families responded to the initial request to submit their DNA, Alexander was identified through a genetic testing organization called the DNA Doe Project. This organization worked closely with the sheriffs office to compare DNA profiles of unknown victims to profiles on genealogy websites. This would ideally match the unidentified victim to potential relatives, giving detectives a place to begin the investigation. Once a match is believed to be found, living relatives are asked to submit DNA samples to verify results.
In addition to identifying Gacys three unknown victims, DNA submissions helped solve at least 11 cold cases of homicides, none of which had any connection to Gacy. Several families were also able to find relatives who were still alive, although still considered missing.
According to a recent report by Qualiket Research, the global genetic testing market is expected to enjoy a substantial amount of growth in the next six years or so, growing from $7,985 million in 2020 to an impressive $15,127 million by 2027.
Brad Schaeffer of MedComp Sciences says that growing advancements in technology have increased the opportunity for market expansion and a focus by various governments to both create awareness and regulation of genetic tests.
Newborn and prenatal genetic testing has seen the most success, boasting the highest revenue in 2020. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years.
November 2020 also saw the expanded approval of cancer blood tests, also referred to as liquid biopsy, by the Food and Drug Administration. This type of genetic testing can detect genetic changes in tumor DNA through the blood, helping patients match potential treatments.
News revolving around genetic testing will continue to roll in, according to Brad Schaeffer of MedComp Sciences, especially as the industry and related technology grow. With new advances in methods and increased availability, its no wonder that such a projected increase in growth for the field and new applications is being predicted.
See the original post here:
Brad Schaeffer of MedComp Sciences on Genetic Testing in the News - OCNJ Daily
- Alzheimer's and Genetic Testing: Your Questions Answered - Healthline - March 12th, 2024
- The Evolving Treatment Landscape in EGFR Mutated NSCLC and the Role of Comprehensive Genetic Testing in ... - Cancer Network - March 4th, 2024
- PART II: The Legalities of Pre-Natal Genetic Testing - American Council on Science and Health - March 4th, 2024
- Cord Blood Registry (CBR) by CooperSurgical and Fulgent Genetics Launch Innovative Genetic Testing - PR Newswire - February 13th, 2024
- Australian life insurers support industry ban on use of genetic testing results - Proactive Investors UK - February 5th, 2024
- Predictive genetic testing helps breast cancer patient Tammy Goodsell - East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust - February 5th, 2024
- Significance of Early Genetic Testing in HRR-Mutated mCRPC Highlighted by Real-World Observations - Targeted Oncology - January 28th, 2024
- Genetic testing saves lives but can lead to discrimination when it comes to life insurance - ABC News - January 28th, 2024
- Growth of the U.S. DTC Genetic Testing Market | Personalized Nutrition Medicine - Medriva - January 11th, 2024
- Genetic Testing - Mayo Clinic Health System - January 3rd, 2024
- However good genetic testing gets, there will always be plenty of space for you to make a total mess of things entirely of ... - CyclingWeekly - January 3rd, 2024
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing Market is Expected to Reach $1.2 Billion | MarketsandMarkets. - Yahoo Finance - December 25th, 2023
- Prenatal and Newborn Genetic Testing Market Size to Hit Eyes USD 14.72 billion by 2031 | CAGR Of 11. - PharmiWeb.com - December 16th, 2023
- Hereditary Genetic Testing Market Study on Investment Possibilities, Industry Share, and Trends through 2030 - EIN News - May 5th, 2023
- Genetic Testing: What You Should Know - Healthline - April 18th, 2023
- Genetic Testing: How It Works, Types, and Diagnosis | Patient - April 18th, 2023
- Genetic Testing Fact Sheet - NCI - National Cancer Institute - March 31st, 2023
- Tempted to have genetic testing? First ask why - Harvard Health - March 31st, 2023
- DNA Test - Genetic Testing Overview - Cleveland Clinic - February 10th, 2023
- Genetic Disorders: What Are They, Types, Symptoms & Causes - January 25th, 2023
- The Genetics of Cancer - NCI - January 25th, 2023
- Understanding Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk - December 28th, 2022
- Prenatal Genetic Diagnostic Tests | ACOG - December 28th, 2022
- DiGeorge Syndrome - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - December 28th, 2022
- Global Rare Disease Genetic Testing Market Report 2022: Ongoing Conferences to Raise Awareness About Rare and Ultra-Rare Conditions to Boost Growth -... - September 21st, 2022
- Genome Medical and Pierian Announce Collaboration to Optimize Genomic Testing Programs - Business Wire - September 21st, 2022
- DNAfit Review: What It Can and Can't Tell You - Healthline - September 21st, 2022
- Purrsonalised health: The startups and VCs betting on pet genetics - Sifted - September 21st, 2022
- One of my daughters and I have the BRCA1 gene mutation - Insider - September 21st, 2022
- Lab testing transparency will improve patient care and lower costs - MedCity News - September 21st, 2022
- Artificial Intelligence Tool May Help in Early Diagnosis of... - Fragile X News Today - September 21st, 2022
- Feral swine meetings Thursday in Eureka and Libby - The Western News - September 21st, 2022
- Recap: Recent Advances in the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer - Cancer Network - September 21st, 2022
- Australia moves to future in biotech and medical technologies with billions in new investment - The New Daily - September 21st, 2022
- Ticking away in the back of my mind: what does it mean to know the risk embedded in your DNA? - The Guardian - September 5th, 2022
- Ambry Genetics Publishes 43,000 Patient Study Showing Combined RNA and DNA Analysis Identifies Patients Who Are High-Risk for Cancer but Would Have... - September 5th, 2022
- Genetic Mosaicism Diagnosed in Case of Atypical Angelman Teen |... - Angelman Syndrome News - September 5th, 2022
- Patients and Parents Impacted by SMA May Be Optimistic About Prenatal Testing, Therapies - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network - September 5th, 2022
- Major Depression: The Chemical Imbalance Pillar Is CrumblingIs the Genetics Pillar Next? - Mad In America - Mad in America - September 5th, 2022
- MedGenome Raises $50M To Map The Human Genome - Crunchbase News - September 5th, 2022
- IVF or IUI: Which one to choose for a fertility treatment? - Health shots - September 5th, 2022
- Global Molecular Diagnostics Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.28% by 2032: Visiongain Reports Ltd - Yahoo Finance - September 5th, 2022
- Overview and Prevalence of Dravet Syndrome - Contemporary Pediatrics - September 5th, 2022
- 'It takes toughness and grit' Beasley shares on her breast cancer battle, survivor's journey - Cody Enterprise - September 5th, 2022
- Warning to pregnant Norwegian women as their DNA can be accessed by Chinese authorities - ScandAsia.com - September 5th, 2022
- Global Molecular Diagnostics Devices and Equipment Market Report 2022: A $46.87 Billion Market in 2026 - Long-term Forecast to 2031 -... - September 5th, 2022
- Hereditary Prostate Cancer Genetic Testing: Motivation & Family Communication - Physician's Weekly - August 20th, 2022
- Restrictive abortion laws are limiting the options parents have after receiving genetic test results, experts say - Yahoo Philippines News - August 20th, 2022
- Conversations with a friend on IVF genetic testing - Malta Independent Online - August 20th, 2022
- How a simple home DNA test unravelled the genetic code that could help prolong my life - The National - August 20th, 2022
- 5 Health Issues That are Genetically Passed Down. Do You Have One? Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That - August 20th, 2022
- 25 Years After 'Gattaca' Released, What Do Genetic Scientists Think About It? The Wire Science - The Wire Science - August 20th, 2022
- A lasting inheritance: City of Hope replaced my family's fear with hope - City of Hope - August 20th, 2022
- Statistics on Global Esoteric Testing Market Size & Share to Surpass USD 37917.67 Million by 2028, Exhibit a CAGR of 11.10% | Industry Trends,... - August 20th, 2022
- Population Genetic Testing: Save Lives And Money, While Avoiding Financial Toxicity - Forbes - August 11th, 2022
- Care before carrying: The significant role of Preimplantation Genetic Testing during IVF - Times of India - August 11th, 2022
- More on Professor Sarnoff's Perspective on Tillis Patent Eligibility Bill - JD Supra - August 11th, 2022
- The Silver Lining Of Innovation in Genetic Medicine - Pharmaceutical Executive - August 11th, 2022
- High susceptibility of animal-borne disease transmission to humans has pushed the animal genetics market to surpass ~ US$ 8 Billion by 2026 - BioSpace - August 11th, 2022
- Fulgent Genetics Announces Launch of PCR Based Test to Detect Monkeypox - Business Wire - August 11th, 2022
- INVITAE CORP 10-Q Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Insurance News Net - August 11th, 2022
- U.P. man found guilty of poaching multiple 8-point deer ordered to pay $18K in restitution - MLive.com - August 11th, 2022
- Testing, Inspection, And Certification Market Worth $491.3 Billion by 2030: Grand View Research, Inc. - PR Newswire - August 11th, 2022
- BRCA Gene Mutation Can Be Passed Down From Father's Side - SurvivorNet - August 11th, 2022
- The Worldwide Genetic Testing Industry is Expected to Reach $26 Billion by 2027 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Galveston County Daily News - July 26th, 2022
- Genetic testing may benefit patients with depression - VAntage Point - VAntage Point Blog - July 26th, 2022
- What Does it Mean to be High Risk for Breast Cancer? - Integris - July 26th, 2022
- Boy has rare genetic disease, life expectancy is five to 10 years - Insider - July 26th, 2022
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing Market Research | Industry Growing with Major Key Player Illumina, Inc (U.S.), SciGene Corporation (U.S.), Thermo... - July 26th, 2022
- Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market Size, Scope, Growth Opportunities, Trends by Manufacturers And Forecast to 2029 This Is Ardee - This... - July 26th, 2022
- World IVF Day: 4 benefits of IVF treatment at the right age - Health shots - July 26th, 2022
- Global Metabolic Panel Testing Market to Grow with a CAGR of ~7% During 2022-2031; Market Growth to be Propelled by Increasing Prevalence of Chronic... - July 26th, 2022
- 3 Reasons to Buy This Sizzling Growth Stock - The Motley Fool - July 26th, 2022
- Monkeypox, yet another health emergency for world to cope with - China Daily - July 26th, 2022
- Rhinostics Launches the VERIstic to Redefine Small Volume Blood Collection - BioSpace - July 26th, 2022
- Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market Size, Forecast And Trend Analysis To 2028 This Is Ardee - This Is Ardee - July 26th, 2022
- PSS: Providing quick and effective solutions - The Worldfolio - July 26th, 2022
- Prevencio Announces Agreement with Alivio Health Expanding Access to AI-Driven Cardiac HART Tests Offered by Atlas Genomics - Business Wire - July 26th, 2022
- Myriad Genetics Teams Up with Epic to Make Genetic Testing Accessible to More Patients with Electronic Health Record (EHR) Integration - GlobeNewswire - June 28th, 2022
- Global Predictive Genetic Testing And Consumer/Wellness Genomics Market Emerging Scope Of The 2022 | Illumina, BGI, Genesis Genetics, Myriad Genetics ... - June 28th, 2022