The government did a study a few years aback, regarding the legitimacy of online genetic testing companies.
The whole report can be found here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06977t.pdf
Their findings are a bit disturbing to say the least, it seems like some of the genetic testing companies out there try to sell you their "nutritional supplements"
and none of the companies that were tested seemed to provide solid, accurate results. There also seems to be a lack of oversight regarding the procedures.
So I just tested this out..I changed my facebook status to bugmenot.com, I composed a note to a friend with "bugmenot.com", "www.bugmenot.com" in the message and "http://www.bugmenot.com" and neither of them were blocked. So I am not totally sure what the article is referring to.
California requires a doctor's order form for not just genetic testing. The company I work for (www.biophysicalcorp.com)(is it kosher for me the link my company here?) does direct-to-consumer blood/ biomarker testing, and for California and about 9 other states, the individual consumer can not just order the test from us, they have to have their doctor sign a order form (Which creates a hassle for us and the client).
Heck, in a few states (Cali included) we can't even send the client their report, we have to send it to the doctor's office.
I am pretty sure this law is in effect partially to protect the interests of the doctors in general.
What in earth can make scientists behave so irresponsible. They eliminated smallpox from almost all laboratories a few years ago to make sure it could never be used again. Now they are reviving an old virus that was completely eradicated.
The difference in smallpox and in this case flu virus is that smallpox has been eliminated in all natural outbreak forms. This is only possible because the smallpox virus DOES NOT have a natural reservoir anymore in nature besides human beings. And in the 70's WHO took it upon themselves to eradicate this virus by vaccinating anyone that lived within certain radius of a reported case of smallpox. By doing this, the smallpox virus had no other host to jump to, and in the end would die out. On the other hand, the flu virus has not been eradicated, in fact I doubt it will anytime soon. See the flu virus has many natural reservoirs in nature, it can use birds, pigs and other animals as its host. This makes is very hard to eradicate it in a practical manner. Another thing is that the 1918 strain of influenza was not very well known, and that just by pure chance in mutations, it is possible for a similar strain to surface again in the future. Because of this, scientists have been researching on this strain and by knowing it's DNA seqeunce, we are able to prepare for similar incidents in the future.
Bottom line, this virus is not extinct as you think it is. For all we know it could be in some bird or pig out there, just waiting for the right circumstances to spread to the general human population.
As a student that is attending the University of Texas, I have to clarify that the books in the Undergraduate Library (UGL) are not being "replaced" , they are being moved to the other libraries on campus, which contain most of the books already. The Undergrad library in the past has been more of a place where students went to study, used computers in the computer lab, and read periodicals.
Moving the books to other libraries and dedicating the space to student gatherings/ studies is not that bad of a thing. Considering that there seems to be a need of group study areas, this might help with that.
We already have computer labs, laptops for check out, and wifi in there. So really, the main addition are the colorful chairs.
Finally Sony kind of understands what the market wants... I was disappointed with them at first.
Having to convert all my MP3's into ATRAC3 is just a pain in the rear.
Any chance they can take over Apple's market?
Well, a good majority of the/. readers are informed people in areas of engineering, physics and such. I would assume that they know a bit more then the rest of us (I'm a biology major) on the pros and cons of nuclear powering.
Maybe this "very strong opinions how good and bright nuclear power is" is to be taken for what it is, that nuclear power is a very good, efficient form of energy source.
Oh, and as a biology major I also find this topic interesting, not just for the pure physics related aspect, but this is a topic that touches upon international relationships, long term environmental impacts, and other social issues. It is a topic that has the potential to affect all of the electricity dependent humans.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't even RTFA and you want me to RTFL? Inconceivable!
The government did a study a few years aback, regarding the legitimacy of online genetic testing companies. The whole report can be found here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06977t.pdf Their findings are a bit disturbing to say the least, it seems like some of the genetic testing companies out there try to sell you their "nutritional supplements" and none of the companies that were tested seemed to provide solid, accurate results. There also seems to be a lack of oversight regarding the procedures.
Reminds me of this season of 24. (and also Die Hard 2 and 4 Fire Sale anyone?)
I'm pretty sure in the end Cowboy Neal will come and save the day though.
I just did this on the new layout and it did not give me a warning. Not sure what is up with that.
So I just tested this out..I changed my facebook status to bugmenot.com, I composed a note to a friend with "bugmenot.com", "www.bugmenot.com" in the message and "http://www.bugmenot.com" and neither of them were blocked. So I am not totally sure what the article is referring to.
Someone else want to give it a try?
California requires a doctor's order form for not just genetic testing. The company I work for (www.biophysicalcorp.com)(is it kosher for me the link my company here?) does direct-to-consumer blood/ biomarker testing, and for California and about 9 other states, the individual consumer can not just order the test from us, they have to have their doctor sign a order form (Which creates a hassle for us and the client).
Heck, in a few states (Cali included) we can't even send the client their report, we have to send it to the doctor's office.
I am pretty sure this law is in effect partially to protect the interests of the doctors in general.
What in earth can make scientists behave so irresponsible. They eliminated smallpox from almost all laboratories a few years ago to make sure it could never be used again. Now they are reviving an old virus that was completely eradicated.
The difference in smallpox and in this case flu virus is that smallpox has been eliminated in all natural outbreak forms. This is only possible because the smallpox virus DOES NOT have a natural reservoir anymore in nature besides human beings. And in the 70's WHO took it upon themselves to eradicate this virus by vaccinating anyone that lived within certain radius of a reported case of smallpox. By doing this, the smallpox virus had no other host to jump to, and in the end would die out. On the other hand, the flu virus has not been eradicated, in fact I doubt it will anytime soon. See the flu virus has many natural reservoirs in nature, it can use birds, pigs and other animals as its host. This makes is very hard to eradicate it in a practical manner. Another thing is that the 1918 strain of influenza was not very well known, and that just by pure chance in mutations, it is possible for a similar strain to surface again in the future. Because of this, scientists have been researching on this strain and by knowing it's DNA seqeunce, we are able to prepare for similar incidents in the future.
Bottom line, this virus is not extinct as you think it is. For all we know it could be in some bird or pig out there, just waiting for the right circumstances to spread to the general human population.
Moving the books to other libraries and dedicating the space to student gatherings/ studies is not that bad of a thing. Considering that there seems to be a need of group study areas, this might help with that.
We already have computer labs, laptops for check out, and wifi in there. So really, the main addition are the colorful chairs.
He's a philosophy major at UT, with a junior standing. Ha, his email address is
ryan@payperaction.com .
Finally Sony kind of understands what the market wants... I was disappointed with them at first. Having to convert all my MP3's into ATRAC3 is just a pain in the rear. Any chance they can take over Apple's market?
Well, a good majority of the /. readers are informed people in areas of engineering, physics and such. I would assume that they know a bit more then the rest of us (I'm a biology major) on the pros and cons of nuclear powering.
Maybe this "very strong opinions how good and bright nuclear power is" is to be taken for what it is, that nuclear power is a very good, efficient form of energy source.
Oh, and as a biology major I also find this topic interesting, not just for the pure physics related aspect, but this is a topic that touches upon international relationships, long term environmental impacts, and other social issues. It is a topic that has the potential to affect all of the electricity dependent humans.