Latest news with #genetictesting
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
23andMe users have until July 14 to file a claim in the DNA company's bankruptcy case. Here's how to do it.
Customers of the genetic testing company 23andMe have until July 14 to file a claim as part of a restructuring in its bankruptcy case. In filing a claim, eligible customers can seek compensation for suffering financial or other damages due to a 2023 cyberattack that compromised the sensitive personal information of nearly 7 million users. The direct-to-consumer company has customers submit a saliva sample for their DNA to be analyzed for ancestry purposes, family traits or health risks. 23andMe disclosed the data breach in October 2023, acknowledging that it had exposed users' personal information, including names, relationship labels, ancestry reports and percentage of DNA shared with relatives. This resulted in multiple class-action lawsuits. The DNA testing company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in March due to low demand for its ancestry kits in the fallout of the breach. 23andMe alerted customers of the July 14 claim deadline back in May, which was set by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. There are two types of claims that current and former 23andMe customers can file to receive money back: One is related to cybersecurity (Cyber Security Incident Claim), the other is not cybersecurity-related (General Bar Date Package). Eligible customers can submit either claim by following the instructions on this website. The deadline to file both types of claims is Monday, July 14, 2025. If it's submitted electronically, the deadline is at 11:59 p.m. CT; if it's submitted by hard copy, the deadline is 4:59 p.m. CT. Cyber Security Incident Claim 23andMe customers who are eligible to submit the Cyber Security Incident Claim electronically or via postal mail have to meet the following criteria: They were a customer of 23andMe between May 1, 2023, and Oct. 1, 2023. They received a notice that their personal information was compromised in the 2023 data breach. The customer 'incurred monetary damages or non-monetary damages' related to the cybersecurity incident. General Bar Date Package For 23andMe customers who believe they have a claim against the company's services, but it isn't cybersecurity-related, they should file a claim electronically or via postal mail under the General Bar Date Package. This could be related to non-cybersecurity issues, like problems with a customer's DNA results or telehealth services. If a 23andMe customer has questions about the claims process, more information can be found here. Customers can also email 23andMeInfo@ or call (888) 367-7556. No. A Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing means the company is restructuring, instead of liquidating its assets. 23andMe announced at the end of June that it has found a buyer, TTAM Research Institute, which is a nonprofit led by 23andMe cofounder and former CEO Anne Wojcicki. 'The transaction remains subject to Bankruptcy Court approval and customary closing conditions,' the company says. The access that current 23andMe customers have remains unchanged. 'There are no changes to how we store, manage or protect customer data,' according to 23andMe. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, 23andMe received permission from a judge to sell its most valuable asset — customers' DNA data. 'TTAM has affirmed its commitment to comply with 23andMe's privacy policy and applicable law with respect to treatment of customer data,' the company says, acknowledging the potential sale to TTAM Research Institute. A customer's 23andMe DNA data is not protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, which is a law that protects a person's private health information from being shared without the person's knowledge or consent. HIPAA only protects that type of information when it's provided to an entity like a hospital system, physician health plans or billing companies that conduct business with them. 23andMe is not subject to HIPAA regulations because it's a direct-to-consumer company outside of the health care realm. The person is treated as a consumer rather than a patient. The company noted in their FAQ for customers that there's an option for them to delete their data and account. Here's how users can delete their account and personal information: Log into your 23andMe account and go to the 'Settings' section of your profile Scroll to a section labeled '23andMe Data' at the bottom of the page Click 'View' next to '23andMe Data' Scroll to the 'Delete Data' section Click 'Permanently Delete Data' Confirm your request: You'll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request "If a customer opted in to 23andMe Research, their Personal Information will no longer be used in any future research projects," a 23andMe spokesperson told CNET. "Please note, data cannot be removed from research that's already been conducted."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Fiona Phillips, 64, and husband Martin Frizell, 66, details worrying fears their sons Nathaniel, 26, and Mackenzie, 23, would inherit Alzheimer's after TV star's diagnosis
Fiona Phillips and her husband Martin Frizell has detailed the worrying time they feared their sons Nathaniel, 26, and Mackenzie, 23, could inherit Alzheimer's. The former GMTV host, 64, was diagnosed with the progressive brain disorder in 2022 at the age of just 61. When Fiona and Martin, 66, first learned of her diagnosis, they were concerned if the disease was genetic and would strike their sons. After a genetic test, Fiona and Martin were relieved to discover their boys weren't in danger of inheriting the disease. In the Mail's exclusive extract from her upcoming memoir Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, Martin shared: 'We did tackle one fear and talked to Fiona's consultant about whether she had inherited the illness from her parents. 'She then had a genetic test, because if she carried the gene for Alzheimer's there was a danger the boys would have it, too, which in turn might mean them thinking about IVF if they wanted children, in order to break the genetic line. 'Thankfully, the test was negative.' He added: 'That meant she didn't carry the gene so the boys wouldn't either. But the doctor said she was clearly predisposed to Alzheimer's. 'I didn't entirely understand what he meant. How could someone be 'predisposed' to a particular disease if there wasn't something in their genetic make-up that determined it? 'But he assured me this was the case. While Fiona's chances of getting the disease had always been a lot higher, that didn't mean she would pass it on to her children. 'A few months later we told the boys what was happening. By then, she was even more withdrawn and forgetful and they knew she'd had a series of hospital appointments. 'Rather than the terrible news landing on them like a bomb, I'd gradually shared with them the sense that something was very wrong. 'When the moment came and I used the dreaded 'Alzheimer's' word, I think they were prepared for it – however awful that news was. 'They were just heartbroken for their mum, though she didn't want to make a big fuss about it all. 'She was able to dismiss it from her mind and so the conversation quickly moved on. It may sound strange, but that is how it was.' Elsewhere in the memoir, Martin gave a heartbreaking confession on his wife's condition. Martin emotionally admitted the family are 'slowing saying goodbye to the woman they love', who soon will be 'wiped away' by the disease. Martin explained how he and their sons are 'enduring a living grief' as they watch the 'glittering star' deteriorate through time. 'Bit by bit, it [Alzheimer's] takes everything. Through time, even the most glamorous, glittering star – such as Fiona was – will be wiped away', he wrote. He added: 'Sorting the bank accounts, utility direct debits, hospital appointments, clothes, washing, parking permits, shopping, cooking, tidying the house – in fact, all the stuff I took for granted because Fiona dealt with it (as well as her own career) – became my responsibilities, along with a seven-day-a-week job. 'It was knackering. There were times I felt drained, physically and emotionally. 'On top of the stress, the boys and I are enduring a kind of living grief – a slow goodbye to the woman we love.' In the memoir, the pair - who wed in 1997 and share two children - revealed their marriage was 'falling apart' as a result of Fiona's then undiagnosed battle with the disease. Fiona explained: 'My marriage was coming under increasing strain. 'I'm sure the disease was at least partly responsible, but at the time neither of us could see it. I just became more and more disconnected from Martin and the boys. '"You've totally zoned out of our family and our marriage," he would say to me. "Don't be so bloody ridiculous!" I'd yell back. 'But, if I'm honest, I think he was right. I just didn't seem to have the energy for any of it any more. 'I didn't realise quite how seriously Martin felt about it all until one evening he announced he was moving out. '"Stop being so ridiculous!'" I yelled. "I'm just worn out. I'm tired – of everything." '"That's what you've been saying for years,'" he replied. "Maybe this – our marriage – is what's making you so tired."' Fiona first met Martin when she was working on GMTV as a presenter and he was its chief correspondent. He later popped the question after they had been dating for just four weeks, before they went to Las Vegas to tie the knot in 1997. Last year, he revealed he was stepping down as editor of ITV's This Morning after 10 years in charge, in order to be 'around much more' for his wife during her Alzheimer's battle. Having turned his back on his prolific job, in his own candid words, Martin revealed Fiona now needs 'a lot of help', with his care extending to showering Fiona, brushing her teeth, dressing her and ultimately 'making her feel as safe as possible'. He explained: 'It is January 2025 as I write this, and Fiona needs a lot of help. She needs help showering and brushing her teeth. She can do these things physically, but is unable now to think about how she should do them... 'I wash Fiona's hair because she wouldn't know what shampoo or conditioner to use or how wet her hair needs to be or that she must rinse the soap suds out afterwards... 'And most nights I'll say, 'Right, we need to brush our teeth before we go to bed,' and I'll put the toothpaste on the brush and hand it to her... She is still very stubborn and doesn't like brushing her teeth or feeling that she is being told what to do, so she rails against it.' He detailed how he knows he cannot fight her protestations for fear of illness, saying: 'But this has to be the way, because the worst thing that could happen would be for her to get some kind of tooth infection when she is vulnerable.' While Fiona can put her clothes on, she does not do so correctly - meaning Martin must also assist with this task among others. He writes: 'She can put clothes on, but may not put them on the right way around, so she does need help dressing.... 'I try to lay out clothes for her to put on in the morning, but she tends to get attached to particular items of clothing and will wear them over and over again.' Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, by Fiona Phillips will be published on July 17. What is Alzheimer's? Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die. This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it. WHAT HAPPENS? As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years. EARLY SYMPTOMS: Loss of short-term memory Disorientation Behavioral changes Mood swings Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call LATER SYMPTOMS: Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior Eventually lose ability to walk May have problems eating The majority will eventually need 24-hour care
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
AAP's New Genetic Testing Guidance Could Mean Faster Diagnoses For Children
If you're noticing delays in your child's speech or motor skills, you're in good company. The CDC reports that approximately 1 in 12 children will exhibit such signs between the ages of 3 and 17. Then begins a very long process. First, you share your concerns with your pediatrician, and then you may spend years focused on symptoms without knowing the root cause. While speech therapy, play therapy, and physical therapy are wonderful and valuable tools, you also want to know exactly what's going on, and the newest guidelines may get you there faster. The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending genetic testing when signs indicate a genetic disorder, which can lead to better treatment and greater clarity for the family's future. The most basic and direct reason that genetic testing matters is for treatment. While many genetic disorders may have initial symptoms (like developmental delays) that look similar to one another, the treatment can vary. Medical science is currently working on gene therapies (such as the one that is currently showing early success in treating a child with CPS1 deficiency in a recent breakthrough) that may eventually be a cure for some disorders. For others, the treatment that is effective in reducing symptoms can depend on the cause, and genetic screening allows a doctor to target your child's symptoms with the most effective care. Further, genetic testing can help predict the trajectory of your child's health and guide you in family planning decisions by helping determine the likelihood of similar conditions in your child's potential siblings. The new report from the AAP, which will be published in the July issue of Pediatrics, encourages doctors to initiate genetic testing promptly if symptoms warrant it, rather than delaying and monitoring symptoms for changes or starting with narrower tests that may only screen for one genetic cause at a time. This starts with a 'phenotype-driven approach,' which is what you're used to in a doctor's office. A phenotype is essentially a trait that you can see, presumed to be caused by genetics; a genotype is the actual genetic information that causes that trait. First, your doctor would take a family history and carry out relevant tests, such as MRIs, vision and hearing tests, as well as other outward observations of growth and development. Then, as soon as the testing indicated, they would move on to a genetic screening, which could affirm or rule out conditions like Fragile X Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, and Angelman Syndrome. The significant difference lies in the push to move quickly to broad genetic screening. Katherine Stueland, President and CEO of GeneDx, notes that this could 'slash the average five-year diagnostic odyssey to a fraction of that time, drive down healthcare costs, and, most importantly, change children's lives sooner.' This shift represents an overall acknowledgment in the medical field that early genetic testing is the future and will bring about faster diagnoses and more accurate treatment. Britt Johnson, PhD, FACMG, and SVP of Medical Affairs at GeneDx, told Parenting Patch: 'The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommending exome and genome sequencing as first-line tests for children with global developmental delay (GDD) or intellectual disability (ID) is a significant advancement for both pediatrics and precision medicine. This update reflects the growing evidence that these tests offer higher diagnostic yield and are more cost-effective when used early in the diagnostic process, a major win for both families and healthcare providers. For parents, this marks a powerful shift: pediatricians can now initiate advanced genetic testing sooner, helping to end long periods of uncertainty and misdiagnosis. Earlier access to comprehensive genomic testing means faster answers, more informed care, and potentially earlier interventions and treatments. With these updates, we can now give every child a better chance at a healthy future. The AAP's update will have a lasting impact on pediatric care and outcomes. GeneDx is committed to supporting this shift by helping educate pediatricians and equipping them with the tools and technology to provide timely, accurate diagnoses. Exome and genome sequencing are no longer tests of last resort—they are the new standard of care – and we're proud to help lead this next chapter in improving children's health.' With these new standards being published in July, parents can expect to begin seeing the effects in their pediatricians' offices in coming months and years. Health insurance companies are beginning to broaden their coverage for genetic screenings. While they may have previously covered one or two narrow genetic tests at a time, many companies are now moving to cover broader genome sequencing that can provide more thorough answers more quickly. Adding the latest AAP guidance may mean that, in the near future, families are less likely to receive surprise bills or face pushback from their health insurance companies regarding whether genetic screening is covered. As genetic testing increasingly becomes the standard for diagnostics, insurance companies may require fewer extra steps, referrals, and authorizations before approving it, and pricing typically becomes more accessible, including for families reliant on programs like Medicaid.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why GeneDx, An IBD 50 Stock, Has Skyrocketed 34% Over The Past Two Days
GeneDx stock jumped again Tuesday after the American Academy of Pediatrics green-lit genetic testing for a larger pool of children.
Medical News Today
20-06-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Genetic tests for Alzheimer's disease: Types and more
Although genetic testing for genes associated with Alzheimer's disease is available, healthcare professionals do not routinely use these tests when diagnosing this condition. Genetic tests to identify genes associated with Alzheimer's cannot guarantee whether a person will develop the condition. Instead, they may reveal that a person has an increased risk of Alzheimer's. According to the United Kingdom's Alzheimer's Society, genetic testing may be suitable when it seems likely that the condition is due to a single-gene change. For example, if there is a clear family history of the condition. However, various factors can contribute to Alzheimer's disease. A negative test result for associated genes does not guarantee that a person will not develop Alzheimer's disease. A 2023 article highlights the following types of genetic tests for Alzheimer's disease: Predictive and pharmacogenetic tests are only available in research or clinical settings. However, susceptibility tests may be available directly to consumers. People typically buy these tests and carry them out without medical supervision. Some people may find direct-to-consumer tests quicker and more convenient than carrying out the tests in a clinical setting. Although some people may feel peace of mind with a home test, the results also risk causing distress. Additionally, working with a healthcare professional can help a person better understand the results of their test. They can also provide information about lowering the risk of the disease and what treatment options are available if the person starts showing symptoms. Anyone interested in genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease can speak with a healthcare professional for more information, whether they want to know more about the types available or want help understanding the results of a home test.
