The World's First Family Centered DNA Bank and Hereditary Information Service
July, 2000

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY STRESSES NEED FOR REFERENCE DNA FOR GENETIC TESTING OF INHERITED DISEASES

(Excerpts reprinted from Diagnostics 2000, Patient Care) "The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has issued guidelines regarding testing for genetic susceptibility to cancer. ASCO recommends such testing when 3 conditions are met:

1. The patient's family has a history of cancer, especially in cases of early on-set disease.

2. The selected test can be interpreted satisfactorily.

3. Test results will influence how the patient's cancer risk is managed.

In deciding whether genetic testing for cancer risk is appropriate, determine not only whether the patient has a family history of the disease, but also whether a family member currently has cancer, as that person should be the first to undergo the test to determine whether an associated gene mutation is present. If the person with cancer has a mutation in a cancer predisposition gene, then other family members may consider testing for that gene mutation. Because several mutated genes may account for one form of cancer, testing a family member who has the disease can help identify which gene is altered. (emphasis added) In a family with a history of breast cancer, for instance, the first person to be tested should be someone who already has breast or ovarian cancer. In a family with a history of colorectal cancer, someone who has colorectal or possibly endometrial cancer - one of the cancers that may be included in some of the colorectal syndromes - should be tested first"

GeneLink maintains that this statement genuinely supports reference DNA for inherited diseases, and concludes that DNA banking is essential. If that family member dies before a genetic test can be performed, surviving family members lose the opportunity to be tested for inheritance of that disease unless the DNA of the deceased relative is banked or stored. 

GeneLink equips every Funeral Director with the ability to inform their families of this last chance opportunity to save the DNA of their loved one for the future benefit of the surviving family members.

SOURCE:GeneLink BioSciences, Inc.