Genes on Screen Presents "Cracking your Genetic Code"

Genes on Screen^TM presents "Cracking your Genetic Code"

TCAG²M invites you to learn about the future of precision medicine. Genes on Screen will screen the documentary "Cracking your Genetic Code" that delves into the status and future of genetic testing. Following the screening, Genes on Screen will host a panel discussion with local experts in genetics and genetic testing to answer questions. 

Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

UA Cancer Center, Kiewit Auditorium
1515 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ

FREE -- All members of the community are invited.

POPCORN and other SNACKS WILL BE SERVED

Genes on Screen is back!  Last year's evening of film and discussion focused on Huntington's disease and a young woman's decision to be tested for the mutation that killed her mother.  This year's scope is very broad, covering a wide range of diseases and a number of distinct applications of genetic testing -- all presented in an ~50-min film, Cracking your Genetic Code.

The diseases include:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma
• Blood clotting disorders
• Cardiomyopathy
• Huntington's disease
• "Common diseases" such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
• "Rare diseases" that may not even have a name

The clinical settings in which genetic testing is considered include:

• Genotyping of in vitro-fertilized embryos prior to implantation
• Whole-exome sequencing to end the "diagnostic odyssey"
• Matching drug selection to inherited mutations
• Matching drug selection to tumor mutations
• Identification of mutations before disease onset to aid in prevention
• Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (e.g., 23&Me)

Psychological and sociological issues examined include:

• The "burden of knowing"
• The social stigma of some diagnoses
• Privacy concerns
• Risk of insurance penalties

After the film, you'll be able to pose questions to a panel of genetics experts.