Genetic counsellor Bruce Hopper, along with some members of the local genetics team, will Be at Taree City Centre on Jeans for Genes Day, Friday August 4.

Genetic counsellor Bruce Hopper and his team will be at Taree City Centre on Jeans for Genes said. It is also an opportunity for people to have a quick conversation with Bruce about the developments in genetics research.

Each year as Jeans for Genes Day places the focus on how our genes may impact our health, we marvel at the technological advances in genetic testing that occur year after year.

Bruce Hopper, genetic counsellor at Hunter New England Local Health District, said this year the very effective panel testing for multiple genes is now an extra option for clinicians helping families.

Panel testing allows us to now test multiple genes at once, at a much cheaper price than we could have even four months ago,Mr Hopper said.

The new technology has led us to be able to change from testing one gene at a time, to now being able to test multiple genes at once.

This has led to us in the clinical setting to assist individuals and families by testing for additional genes not logistically possible up until a few months ago,he said.

This technology has already been used for a number of patients with a family history of cancer as well as some families with cardiac conditions.

Jeans for Genes Day, an initiative of the Childrens Medical Research Institute, based at Westmead Hospital, undertakes research into attempting to establish why, children specifically, are born with certain genetic conditions.

Following identification of a genetic cause the focus is then on tailoring a specific treatment for that child.

Mr Hopper, along with some members of the local genetics team, will be at Taree City Centre on Jeans for Genes Day, Friday August 4,with merchandise and badges.

It is also an opportunity for people to have a quick conversation with Mr Hopper about the developments in genetics research.

To make an appointment to see a genetic counsellor and discuss genetic concerns, individuals first need to speak with their GP and discuss a referral to the genetic service both in Taree, Forster and the surrounds.

A number of shops in the Lower Mid-North Coast Region will be wearing jeans and selling badges as will the staff at Manning Hospital.

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Jeans for Genes Day stall at Taree City Centre – Gloucester Advocate

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