#Genome data of Indians

[neosciencehub]

Genome India Data: A Landmark in Biotechnology Research

Genome India Data: A Landmark in Biotechnology Research @neosciencehub #GenomeIndia #Biotechnology #GeneticDiversity #COVID19 #neosciencehub

In a historic move hailed as a monumental step forward for biotechnology research and genomics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Genome India Data project during the recent Genomics Data Conclave organized by the Department of Biotechnology. This initiative provides the sequencing data of 10,000 Indian nationals and marks an essential milestone in understanding the genetic diversity…

[theivorybilledwoodpecker]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is using private medical records to create a registry of people with autism in the United States. The National Institutes of Health is helping to collect private medical records from government and commercial databases to give to the secretary of health and human services, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said Monday. The records include prescription records from pharmacies, lab testing, and genomics records from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service, private insurance claims, and data from smartwatches and fitness trackers. The NIH is also working on an agreement to secure Medicare and Medicaid data, according to Bhattacharya, who said that select outside researchers will be able to access and study, but not download, the collected data from the registry.

Fucking hell...

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

This WILL affect you.

"CDC was massacred. Entire divisions and topic areas completely wiped out. The future of public health is grim. These are some of the programs that were terminated:

IOD (Immediate Office of the Director) * OHE (Office of Health Equity) * OEEO (Office of Equal Employment Opportunity) * OC (Office of Communications)/ DMR (Division of Media Relations)/Broadcast and Multimedia Branch; Digital; Broadcast

OCOO (Office of Chief Operating Officer)/ * Much of OHR (Human Resources) * OFR (Office of Financial Resources) * OAS (Office of Acquisition Services) - only OD remains * FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) - entire office

NCCDPHP (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion) * OD/ OIIRM (Office of Informatics & Information Resources Management), OPHP (Office of Public Health Practice) * DOH (Division of Oral Health) * DRH (Division of Reproductive Health)/FSB (Field Services Branch), WHFB (Women's Health and Fertility Branch) * DPH (Division of Population Health)/ Prevention Research and Translation Branch (PRTB), ESB (Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch), HAB (Health Aging Branch) * OSH (Office on Smoking and Health)

NCHHSTP (National Center for HIV, Viral Hep, STD, TB) * Director reassigned to Indian Health Service * DTBE (Division of TB Elimination)/ CEBSB (Communication, Education, and Behavioral Studies Branch) * DHP (Division of HIV Prevention) / BCSB (Behavioral and Clinical Surv Branch); PCB (Prevention Communication Branch); HPCDB (HIV Prevention Capacity Development Branch); HRB (HIV Research Branch); QSB (Qualitative Sciences Branch) * DSTDP (Division of STD Prevention)/ SLRRB (STD Lab Reference and Research Branch); DIRB (Disease Intervention and Response Branch) * DVH (Division of Viral Hepatitis)/Lab Branch GHC (Global Health Center) * Director reassigned to Indian Health Service * DGHT (Division of Global HIV and TB)/ PBEMB (Program Budget Extramural Management Branch); MCHB (Maternal and Child Health Branch); EHSRB (Economics and Health Services Research Branch); HIDMSB (Health informatics, Data management, and Statistics Branch); SPIN (Special Initiatives Branch) - SPICE (Strategy, Policy, and Communications Branch); SIB (Scientific Integrity Branch)

NCIPC (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control) * DVP (Division of Violence Prevention) * DIP (Division of Injury Prevention) * Office of Informatics

NCEH (National Center for Environmental Health) * DEHSP (Division of Environmental Health Science & Practice) * Asthma and Air Quality Branch * Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

NCIRD (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases) * ISD (Immunization Services Division)/PHEB (Partnership and Health Equity Branch)

NCBDDD (National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities) * OD (Office of the Director) * DHDD (Division of Human Development and Disability)/DHB (Disability and Health Promotion Branch) * DBDPHG (Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics)/Blood Disorders Surveillance and Epidemiology Branch; Hemostasis Lab Branch

NCEZID (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases) * Deputy Director reassigned to IHS

ORR (Office of Readiness and Response) * CFA (Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics)/Technology Branch; Director to IHS

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - All except World Trade Center and DCAS * OD (Office of the Director) * HELD (Health Effects Lab Division) * RHD (Respiratory Health Division) * DSI (Division of Science Integration) * Office of Mine Safety and Health Research * NPPTL (National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory) * Pittsburgh Mining Research Division * Spokane Mining Research Division * Office of Extramural coordination * Office of DDMOCP * Human Capital Management Office * Facilities Management office * IT * Policy Planning and Evaluation * Division of Science Integration * Education and information division * Information resources branch * Science application branch * Social science and translation * Training research and evaluation * Risk evaluation branch * Emerging technologies branch"

(Thanks Lenore Thompson)

[disease-danger-darkness-silence]

Hey legal side of tumblr.

Any chance we could have a class-action lawsuit of some sort by anyone who's data has been breached by RK Jr. and the NIH in their attempt to create a database of autistic people?

Not specifically for THEM violating HIPAA. I know you can't sue for damages for that. I want to sue NIH for gross negligence and RFK Jr. for abuse of power, forcing other entities to violate HIPAA and give up protected info.

Literally anyone who's ever done genome testing with the VA or the Indian affairs bureau, anyone on Medicaid or Medicare, anyone who's ever had a prescription filled at cooperating pharmacies, and anyone who's ever had labs done at cooperating labs. Because their data is being accessed illegally, regardless of whether they wind up in the 'tism database.

[top-leaders-in-india]

Strengthening India-Switzerland Ties: Ambassador Maya Tissafi Meets Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore to Boost Bilateral Relations

The relationship between India and Switzerland has long been characterized by strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. In a significant step toward further enhancing bilateral cooperation, Swiss Ambassador Maya Tissafi recently met with Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore to discuss ways to strengthen partnerships in trade, technology, sports, and cultural exchanges.

This high-level meeting underscores the growing importance of Indo-Swiss relations, paving the way for increased collaboration in key sectors.

1. The Significance of India-Switzerland Relations

A Legacy of Strong Diplomatic Ties

Switzerland recognized India’s independence in 1947 and established diplomatic ties shortly thereafter.

Over the years, both nations have collaborated on trade, investment, technology, and innovation.

Switzerland is one of India’s most important European partners, especially in banking, pharmaceuticals, and engineering.

Key Areas of Cooperation

✔️ Economic and Trade Relations ✔️ Technology and Innovation ✔️ Education and Research ✔️ Sports and Cultural Exchange

2. Ambassador Maya Tissafi’s Strategic Meeting with Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore

Agenda of the Meeting

During their discussions, Ambassador Maya Tissafi and Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore explored ways to: ✅ Strengthen economic and trade cooperation ✅ Enhance sports and youth development programs ✅ Promote innovation and technology partnerships ✅ Foster cultural and educational exchanges

This dialogue highlights a shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties between India and Switzerland.

3. Strengthening Economic and Trade Partnerships

India-Switzerland Trade Relations

Switzerland is one of India’s top trading partners in Europe.

Swiss companies like Nestlé, Novartis, and Roche have a strong presence in India.

The India-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is currently under discussion to enhance bilateral trade.

Key Discussion Points

📌 Boosting Swiss investments in India’s manufacturing, pharma, and financial sectors 📌 Expanding India’s exports of IT services, textiles, and engineering goods to Switzerland 📌 Enhancing cooperation in banking and financial services

🚀 Expected Outcome: A new trade framework that benefits businesses in both countries.

4. Sports and Youth Development: A Key Focus Area

Given Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore’s background as an Olympic silver medalist and former Sports Minister, a major focus of the meeting was on sports collaboration between India and Switzerland.

Possible Areas of Cooperation

🏅 Exchange Programs for Athletes — Indian athletes training in Swiss sports facilities 🎯 Sports Science & Technology — Swiss expertise in high-altitude training and biomechanics 📢 Joint Sports Initiatives — Programs for youth engagement in Olympic sports

🚀 Expected Outcome: Improved sports infrastructure, training, and international exposure for Indian athletes.

5. Technology and Innovation: A Future-Driven Partnership

Switzerland: A Global Leader in Innovation

Ranked #1 in the Global Innovation Index for several years.

Home to cutting-edge research in AI, robotics, and biotechnology.

Swiss universities collaborate with IITs and Indian research institutions.

Key Areas of India-Switzerland Tech Collaboration

🔬 AI and Digital Transformation — Swiss expertise in AI and data security for India’s growing digital economy. 🚀 Clean Energy & Sustainability — Joint projects in renewable energy, smart cities, and sustainable agriculture. 💊 Pharma & Biotech — Advancing research in cancer treatment, vaccines, and genomics.

🚀 Expected Outcome: Strengthened research collaboration and technology exchange.

6. Cultural and Educational Exchange Programs

Enhancing People-to-People Ties

📚 Academic Collaboration — More student exchange programs between Indian and Swiss universities. 🎭 Cultural Festivals — Showcasing Indian and Swiss traditions through film, music, and arts. 💼 Work Visa and Mobility — Making it easier for Indian professionals to work in Switzerland.

🚀 Expected Outcome: Deeper educational and cultural engagement between the two nations.

7. Conclusion: A New Era in Indo-Swiss Relations

The meeting between Ambassador Maya Tissafi and Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore marks a pivotal moment in India-Switzerland relations. With increased collaboration in trade, sports, technology, and education, the two nations are set to deepen their partnership in the coming years.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Stronger economic and trade relations ✅ Increased sports and youth development programs ✅ Expansion of tech and innovation partnerships ✅ Enhanced cultural and educational exchanges

As India and Switzerland work towards a mutually beneficial future, this dialogue is a step forward in building a stronger global partnership.

“India and Switzerland share a commitment to innovation, excellence, and cooperation. This meeting is a testament to our shared vision for the future.” — Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore

🇮🇳 🤝 🇨🇭 Strengthening Bonds, Creating Opportunities!

[lostinhistory]

Heritage News of the Week

Women and the Sea in the Early Modern World: A History Symposium

Don't you want to attend a free online symposium that will include female pirates? Of course you do.

“This has been a terrible event for Maui and we are all grieving the loss of life and the destruction of the beautiful historic town of Lahaina,” Maika Pollack, the director and chief curator at University of Hawaii’s John Young Museum of Art, told the Art Newspaper. “It’s a town of great importance to the cultural history of Hawaii.”

OH DAMN

The British Museum has sacked a member of staff and imposed “emergency measures” to increase security after it found items from its collection to be missing. It launched an independent review of security after items including gold jewellery and gems of semiprecious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD were found to be missing, stolen or damaged.

British Museum employee sacked over missing items was senior curator

😬😬😬

A decades-long battle over a statue known as The Wounded Indian has come to an end, with the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, agreeing to return the work to the Boston-based, Paul Revere–founded Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association (MCMA), the New York Times reports.

In ninth-century Cambridgeshire, as a community prepared to abandon their settlement, they took down the elaborate entrance gate and replaced it with a grave. In it were the remains of a young woman, aged just 15, buried face down in a pit and perhaps with her ankles bound together. This unusual grave gives us insight into a rare Early Medieval burial practice, and perhaps even contemporary attitudes towards those within the community who were considered different.

Breaking Ötzi news!

Scientists have newly sequenced Ötzi’s genome a decade after an earlier effort, using modern techniques and comparative data to produce a much higher-quality result than ever before. The study published Wednesday in Cell Genomics reveals that Ötzi had dark eyes and skin pigmentation darker than that commonly seen among modern inhabitants of Greece or Sicily, though he’s previously been depicted with lighter skin more akin to that of Europeans living in the Alps today. And contrary to most artists’ interpretations, it also appears that he suffered from an age-old affliction still troublesome today—he was going bald.

“The vast majority of the remains appear to have been gathered without consent from the individuals or their families, by researchers preying on people who were hospitalized, poor, or lacked immediate relatives to identify or bury them,” wrote Washington Post reporters Nicole Dungca and Claire Healy, who noted that Smithsonian records showed only four brains still in the institution’s collection as coming from people or families who willingly donated their organs. “In other cases, collectors, anthropologists and scientists dug up burial grounds and looted graves.”

Archaeologists have raised concerns about removing the mosaic from its original context before completing academic studies. “It is seriously premature to move that mosaic,” Matthew Adams, director of the Center for the Mediterranean World, an nonprofit archaeological research institute, told the Associated Press. Candida Moss, a theology professor at University of Birmingham who co-wrote a book about the Museum of the Bible, also echoed that sentiment in an interview with the AP, saying, “Once you take any artifact outside of its archaeological context, it loses something, it loses a sense of the space and the environment in which it was first excavated.

(noooooooo)

[lightshadowverisimilitude]

Medication records from pharmacy chains, lab testing and genomics data from patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service, claims from private insurers and data from smartwatches and fitness trackers will all be linked together, he said. 

Uhhhhhhhh that seems bad

[weeswageningen]

Dear all,

We would like to invite you to attend June’s Wageningen Evolution & Ecology Seminar (WEES) and Workshop!

The seminar will take place on Friday 20th June, 16.00-17.00 in C1005, Orion. This will be followed by drinks at The Spot and the opportunity to have dinner (at your own expense) with the speaker. Sign up for dinner with Ruth Fawthrop (r.fawthrop@nioo.knaw.nl).

The associated workshop will be from 14.00-15.30 in C1040, Orion. The workshop gives attendees the opportunity to meet the seminar’s speaker and have a discussion about a hot topic in science. Furthermore, BSc and MSc students can get 1 ECTS for attending 2 workshops. Registration is required for this workshop and you can sign up by emailing Ruth Fawthrop (r.fawthrop@nioo.knaw.nl).

This will be a great event so please forward this information to anyone who could be interested!

___________________________________________________________________________

Seminar: From wolves to dogs: tracking molecular and phenotypic change in the Anthropocene (16.00h in C1005, Orion)

Dr. Lauren Hennelly

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Research Associate, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, USA

Advances in genomic technologies are revolutionizing our ability to study how genetic and phenotypic variation arises and is influenced by human-altered environments. In this seminar, I will share my research on how evolutionary processes shape genetic variation at different scales, from species to specific genes, using gray wolves and domestic dogs as a model system. First, I trace the history of divergence and hybridization in wolf populations across Eurasia, revealing how a widespread species is shaped by past and anthropogenic changes. Second, using my work on Indian wolves, I illustrate how genomic data informs the conservation of this endangered lineage. Lastly, I explore how complex phenotypes can change in response to human-induced selection using domestic species as a model. I focus on the genetic basis of a striking phenotypic difference between dogs and wolves: the loss of reproductive seasonality in dogs. Using a pangenome approach and over 3,000 canid genomes, I show nearly all dogs possess a structural variant within a key gene related to reproductive seasonality. Ancient genomes demonstrate this change occurred early in dog domestication and likely originated in wolves from western Eurasia. I will discuss future work to explore how genetic and phenotypic variation is shaped by our changing world using a multidisciplinary approach. 

Workshop: Genomics and conservation: translating findings to inform conservation (14.00h in C1040, Orion)

In this workshop, we will discuss ways, challenges, and ideas on how our research can better translate to conservation efforts. We will discuss two perspective pieces that highlight the possibilities and limitations of how genomic information can inform conservation status and extinction risks (Kardos et al. 2021, Teixeira and Huber 2021). We will also discuss the implementation gap of generating genomic resources and applying it to biodiversity conservation, as highlighted in Hogg et al. 2024. The workshop can include discussing how our own projects can align with conservation efforts and public outreach. I will share my experiences working on international genomic projects in India and Pakistan, and perspective from conducting IUCN Red List assessments and taxonomic revisions. 

Hogg CJ. 2024. Translating genomic advances into biodiversity conservation. Nature Review Genetics 

Kardos M, Armstrong EE, Fitzpatrick SW, Hauser S, Hedrick PW, Miller JM, Tallmon DA, Funk C. 2021. The crucial role of genome-wide genetic variation in conservation. PNAS 118(48): e2104642118. 

Teixeira JC, Huber CD. 2021. The inflated significance of neutral genetic diversity in conservation genetics. PNAS. 118(10): e2015096118. 

Additional reading: 

vonHoldt BM, Brzeski KE, Wlicove DS, Rutledge LY. 2018. Redefining the role of admixture and genomics in species conservation. Conservation Letters 11(2): 1-6.

Jeon JY, Black AN, Heenkenda EJ, Mularo AJ, Lamka G, Janjua S, Bruniche-Olsen A, Bickham JW, Willoughby JR, DeWoody JA. 2024. Genomic diversity as a key conservation criterion: proof-of-concept from mammalian whole-genome resequencing data. Evolutionary Applications 17:e70000.

IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee. 2024. Guidelines for using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Version 16. Prepared by the Standards and Petitions Committee. Downloadable from https://www.iucnredlist.org/documents/RedListGuidelines.pdf.

___________________________________________________________________________

About WEES

WEES is an initiative of PhD students and postdocs at Wageningen University to organise a continuing series of stimulating seminars on contemporary topics in evolution and ecology. For this series we invite researchers from all over the world who have leading roles in their field. We aim to bring together different groups at Wageningen University using a variety of systems, but with a common interest in evolutionary and ecological questions. WEES is funded by graduate schools PE&RC, WIMEK, EPS, and WIAS. 

Want to organise seminars yourself? Join WEES!

WEES is looking for new members! We aim for a broad and diverse range in topics and would like to welcome new members to help and include topics not represented yet. If you are curious, send an email to weeswageningen@gmail.com and join one of our meetings. 

For more information please visit www.weeswageningen.nl and follow us on X @weeswageningen

[bjmadan12]

Enabling Precision Oncology in India – The Role of BJ Madan in Supporting Cutting-Edge Cancer Care

BJ Madan – Empowering Precision Oncology Companies Across India

The future of cancer care lies in precision—targeted therapies, individualized treatment plans, and diagnostics tailored to the genetic profile of each patient. Precision oncology is transforming the way cancer is diagnosed and treated, and BJ Madan is proud to support this revolution by being a key partner to precision oncology companies in India.

What is Precision Oncology?

Precision oncology is an innovative approach that uses genetic, biomarker, and molecular data to tailor cancer treatments for individual patients. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, it enables doctors to select therapies most likely to be effective based on the patient’s specific tumor profile. This not only improves outcomes but also reduces unnecessary side effects and treatment costs.

BJ Madan’s Contribution to the Ecosystem

With a legacy of trust in the healthcare distribution sector, BJ Madan & Co. plays a crucial role in facilitating access to cutting-edge technologies and consumables required by precision oncology companies. From radiopharmaceuticals and PET scan consumables to specialized diagnostic kits and lab equipment, BJ Madan ensures that oncology centers, biotech firms, and research institutions have seamless access to high-quality products.

Partnering with Innovators

BJ Madan collaborates with global and Indian manufacturers to supply:

Companion diagnostic tools

Targeted therapy delivery systems

Molecular imaging agents

Advanced genomic testing kits

By doing so, the company helps bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility, enabling oncologists and researchers to bring world-class care to Indian patients.

Driving Better Outcomes

Precision oncology holds the promise of transforming cancer from a deadly disease into a manageable condition. BJ Madan is committed to supporting this mission by supplying the backbone products that fuel research, diagnostics, and treatment across India's leading oncology centers.

BJ Madan – Powering Precision, Partnering in Progress.

If you'd like this tailored further toward a specific audience—research labs, hospitals, or pharmaceutical partners—let me know!

Visit:- https://www.bjmadan.com/precision-oncology.html

[odnewsin]

163 cases of newly emerging COVID-19 variant XFG detected in India: INSACOG

New Delhi: About 163 cases of the newly emerging COVID-19 variant XFG have been detected in India so far, according to INSACOG data. The recombinant XFG variant harbours four key spike mutations and has achieved rapid global spread following its initial detection in Canada, according to an article in The Lancet journal. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG),…

[vijaysethupati]

"Breaking Boundaries: Integrative Approaches in Modern Clinical Research"

The world of clinical investigation has never stood still, yet the past decade has witnessed an unmistakable surge of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Genomic sequencing rubs shoulders with behavioral science; data science tools mingle with bedside observations. This new era—sometimes simply labeled “integrative clinical research”—is less about erecting fresh silos and more about opening every door in the laboratory wing.

One can trace this momentum to three converging forces. First, patients themselves have become informed partners, demanding studies that mirror real-world complexity. Second, regulators now encourage adaptive designs that adjust mid-stream, replacing the rigid protocols of yesteryear. Third, the explosion of low-cost digital sensors generates torrents of longitudinal data—an irresistible lure for curious epidemiologists and machine-learning enthusiasts alike.

Yet headlines alone do not move a field forward; people do. Whether you are a nurse looking to add research responsibilities, a pharmacist curious about trial design, or a fresh graduate scanning the horizon for the best course of clinical research in pune, today’s curriculum has evolved. No longer is a classic clinical research course limited to consent forms and blinding techniques. Modern syllabi weave ethics, informatics, and community engagement into a single cloth—and they do so precisely because the studies you will soon manage now stretch across that wide terrain.

Why “Integrative” Matters

Statistically robust does not always equal clinically relevant. By blending quantitative models with qualitative patient-reported outcomes, investigators ground their numbers in lived experience.

A single clinical trail—yes, even one focused on a narrow biomarker—often intersects with nutrition, lifestyle, and mental health. Integrative frameworks prevent these threads from unraveling in isolation.

Industry sponsors increasingly favor hybrid trial designs that merge traditional site visits with decentralized, app-based data capture. Teams trained in multiple domains are best equipped to shepherd such studies from proposal to publication.

Hallmarks of an Integrative Study

Adaptive Protocols Interim analyses steer recruitment toward sub-populations that show hint-of-benefit signals, trimming both cost and patient burden.

Multilayer Data Fusion Electronic health records feed directly into trial databases, where they mingle with wearable-device metrics, social-determinant indices, and even environmental exposure maps.

Community-Engaged Recruitment Local advocates help craft culturally sensitive messaging, ensuring that underserved voices influence endpoint selection—not merely the informed-consent template.

Ethics by Design With real-time data streaming in, privacy safeguards become dynamic, updating as software versions change rather than waiting for an annual audit.

Preparing Yourself: Courses That Reflect Reality

If you type “clinical research course” into any search bar, hundreds of results appear, but only a handful truly embrace this integrative ethos. The syllabi you should keep an eye on tend to include:

Systems Biology & Bio-informatics: Because mechanistic insights now arise from omics platforms as often as from PET scans.

Regulatory Science for Adaptive Trials: Master the language of pre-specified decision rules and Bayesian stopping boundaries.

Digital Health Analytics: Learn to wrangle high-volume, high-velocity data generated outside brick-and-mortar clinics.

Stakeholder Engagement Workshops: From patient advisory boards to community ethics panels, soft skills become hard necessities.

Among Indian educational hubs, Pune has quietly carved out a reputation for nurturing such forward-looking programs. Institutions there routinely invite industry guest lecturers who unpack real case studies—complete with the messy spreadsheets and conflicting signals that textbooks polish away. If your goal is to enroll in the best course of clinical research in pune, scrutinize how each institute integrates biostatistics with qualitative methods and whether they offer hands-on exposure to artificial-intelligence-driven protocol design.

Peering Over the Horizon

Integrative approaches are not a trendy garnish; they are fast becoming the entrée of every well-designed study. Consider oncology, where genetic sequencing informs immunotherapy regimens even as psycho-social support modulates adherence. Or take cardiology, in which remote heart-rate telemetry joins forces with neighborhood-level pollution data to predict arrhythmia flares. Each new clinical trail tests not only a molecule but an ecosystem of interventions.

The moral? Tomorrow’s research leaders will speak several dialects—statistics, coding, ethics, communication—and switch among them without missing a beat. Classrooms that insist on this polyglot fluency are the powerhouses shaping the next chapter. Choose wisely, learn voraciously, and be prepared to break a few boundaries of your own. Clinical research course by pcrti

[darkmaga-returns]

by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will use health records of Americans from multiple federal and commercial databases to study the causes of autism, the agency’s director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, said Monday.

During a meeting of NIH advisers, Bhattacharya said the NIH’s autism study will combine records from pharmacy chains, lab testing and genomics data from patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service, private insurance claims, and fitness tracking apps and smartwatches.

The NIH is also talking with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about possibly accessing that agency’s patient data.

NIH launched the study — a “massive testing and research effort” to determine what causes autism — earlier this month, days before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that 1 in 31 children had autism in 2022 — up from 1 in 36 children in 2020, and 1 in 1,000 children in the 1990s.

[wheremymindgoeswandering]

I wasn’t planning to write this today. I thought I could make it through the week without feeling like we’d slipped into a dystopian screenplay written by a conspiracy theorist with a vendetta. But then I read about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to build a national registry of autistic people using private medical records. And I saw red.

According to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, Kennedy’s Health and Human Services Department is collecting private prescription histories, genomics data, lab results, and even fitness tracker information from government agencies and commercial providers alike. The Department of Veterans Affairs. Indian Health Services. Medicaid and Medicare. Pharmacies. Smartwatches. All of it.

This is mass surveillance of a vulnerable population, built on the same rotten foundation of anti-vaccine pseudoscience that Kennedy has peddled for years.

And it hits me in the gut because my oldest grandchild is autistic.

She is not broken. She is not a mistake. She is not a statistic to be mined or a threat to be tracked. She’s a human being. Brilliant, sensitive, intuitive, and worthy of respect. But under Kennedy’s regime, she’s being reduced to a datapoint in a grotesque experiment rooted in discredited science and authoritarian ambition.

Kennedy has publicly claimed that autism is “preventable” and promised, yes, promised, a cure by September. This is not the language of inclusion. It’s the rhetoric of eugenics. This is not about support or services. It’s about control.

And the scariest part? This registry is being built with your data, possibly without your knowledge or consent.

We’ve already seen thousands of employees purged from the CDC, NIH, and other HHS divisions under Kennedy and Bhattacharya, many of them scientists, ethicists, and civil rights lawyers who might’ve objected. In their place: compliant ideologues willing to rubber-stamp whatever comes next. If you were trying to pull off something morally indefensible without pushback, that’s exactly how you’d start.

Kennedy’s campaign against vaccines has already helped trigger a nationwide measles outbreak. Now he’s using that same mix of fear, misinformation, and misplaced moral authority to weaponize federal data collection, this time against autistic Americans. He’s not curing anything. He’s creating a panopticon of ableist control, where being different makes you suspect.

So we need to ask:

Who is protecting our kids’ data?

Who decides what research questions get asked?

And who benefits from a system that treats autism as a thing to be tracked, studied, and potentially eliminated?

This is personal. It’s about the future we want to live in, and whether we believe that people with autism deserve to be celebrated, not surveilled.

I will not sit quietly while a government agency builds a database on my granddaughter. I will not pretend this is normal. And neither should you.

follow me at marygeddry.substack.com and @magixarc.bsky.social

#autismawareness #RFKjr #SurveillanceState

[stevishabitat]

RFK Jr.'s autism study to amass medical records of many Americans

The National Institutes of Health is amassing private medical records from a number of federal and commercial databases to give to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new effort to study autism, the NIH's top official said Monday.

The new data will allow external researchers picked for Kennedy's autism studies to study "comprehensive" patient data with "broad coverage" of the U.S. population for the first time, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said.

"The idea of the platform is that the existing data resources are often fragmented and difficult to obtain. The NIH itself will often pay multiple times for the same data resource. Even data resources that are within the federal government are difficult to obtain," he said in a presentation to the agency's advisers.

Medication records from pharmacy chains, lab testing and genomics data from patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service, claims from private insurers and data from smartwatches and fitness trackers will all be linked together, he said.

The NIH is also now in talks with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to broaden agreements governing access to their data, Bhattacharya said.

In addition, a new disease registry is being launched to track Americans with autism, which will be integrated into the data. Advocacy groups and experts have called out Kennedy for describing autism as a "preventable disease," which they say is stigmatizing and unfounded.

Between 10 and 20 outside groups of researchers will be given grant funding and access to the records to produce Kennedy's autism studies. Bhattacharya did not give details on how they would be chosen, but said their selection would be "run through normal NIH processes."

Bhattacharya said the research they will back using the data will be "the highest quality proposals" that will range "from basic science to epidemiological approaches, to other more applied approaches" to treat and manage autism. He also acknowledged autism's wide variation in how it affects people.

"I recognize, of course, that autism, there's a range of manifestations ranging from highly functioning children to children that are quite severely disabled. And of course the research will account very carefully for that," he said.

While the selected researchers will be able to access and study the private medical data, Bhattacharya said they will not be able to download it. He promised "state of the art protections" to protect confidentiality.

By bringing the data into one place, he said it could give health agencies a window into "real-time health monitoring" on Americans for studying other health problems too.

"What we're proposing is a transformative real-world data initiative, which aims to provide a robust and secure computational data platform for chronic disease and autism research," he said.

They are planning a "rapid timeline" to launch the autism research using this data, he said, but did not give specifics on when it would start or how long the studies would take. Kennedy last week appeared to walk back his earlier prediction that they would have all the answers to autism's causes by September.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Bhattacharya pushed back the timeline, saying that they now hope to have grants going out the door by September for the research.

"It's hard to guarantee when science will make an advance. It depends on, you know, nature has its say," Bhattacharya said.

[swatik1991]

What Is the Future of Affordable and Accessible Genomic Testing in India?

Genomic testing has already proven itself to be a game-changer in healthcare, offering insights into everything from disease prevention to personalized treatment plans. But for many, the big question remains: How can we make this technology available to everyone, especially in a country as vast and diverse as India?

At Greenarray, we believe that the future of genomic testing in India is one where affordability, accessibility, and quality go hand in hand. Let’s explore how this is becoming a reality and what the future holds for millions of Indians.

🚀 1. The Role of Technology in Making Genomic Testing More Affordable

Innovation in technology is at the heart of making genomic testing accessible. In India, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and other high-throughput technologies are dramatically reducing the cost of genetic testing.

How it works:

Automation in sample analysis reduces labor costs

Cloud-based systems enable faster processing and results delivery

AI and machine learning enhance data interpretation, improving accuracy while reducing errors

As these technologies continue to evolve, prices are expected to keep dropping, making genomic testing accessible to more people, especially in underserved areas.

🌐 2. Government and Healthcare Initiatives Driving Change

India’s National Health Mission (NHM) and various public health policies are slowly integrating genomic data into their broader healthcare strategy.

What this means for you:

Increased funding for genomic research and testing centers in public hospitals

Expansion of genetic counseling services in rural areas

Focus on preventive healthcare through early detection of hereditary conditions, cancer risk, and more

With public-private partnerships, like those Greenarray fosters, these initiatives are accelerating the spread of affordable testing across the country.

🏥 3. Integrating Genomics into Routine Healthcare

In the coming years, we envision genomic testing becoming a routine part of healthcare—just like blood pressure checks or vaccinations. This would include:

Routine screenings for genetic conditions in newborns

Carrier testing for inherited diseases as part of prenatal care

Cancer genetic panels for high-risk individuals, enabling early interventions

By incorporating genomic tests into general healthcare protocols, we’re building a future where everyone can benefit from personalized prevention and care.

🤝 4. Expanding Access Beyond Urban Centers

One of the key challenges in India today is the urban-rural divide. Many people living in rural or remote areas lack access to basic healthcare, let alone advanced technologies like genetic testing.

The solution lies in expanding digital health initiatives:

Telemedicine and mobile testing services allow for remote consultations and sample collection

Partnerships with rural health centers help deliver affordable tests and counseling

As internet penetration and mobile health platforms continue to grow, we can expect greater access to genomic testing, even in remote villages.

👩‍⚕️ 5. Making Genomic Counseling More Accessible

Genetic testing is about more than just receiving results; it’s about understanding what those results mean for your health, family, and future. This is where genetic counseling plays a critical role. In India, the demand for trained genetic counselors is on the rise. These professionals will:

Help interpret genetic test results

Provide emotional support to families facing genetic risks

Guide families through preventive care and treatment options

With more universities and healthcare institutions offering training in genetic counseling, the future will see a growing number of experts available across India.

💡 6. Bridging the Gap: Affordability Without Compromising Quality

As genomic testing becomes more affordable, maintaining the highest standards of quality is crucial.

Certification and accreditation from global bodies like ISO, NABL, and CAP ensure reliable and accurate results

With a focus on affordable diagnostics, Greenarray is committed to providing world-class quality at a fraction of the cost that was once standard.

By maintaining the balance between affordability and accuracy, we ensure that genomic testing can be both accessible and reliable for every Indian.

🌱 The Road Ahead: A Genomic Revolution for All

The future of affordable and accessible genomic testing in India is incredibly bright. With the combined efforts of healthcare providers, government, and private-sector innovators, India is poised to be a leader in personalized, preventative medicine.

In the next decade, we envision:

Nationwide integration of genetic testing into routine healthcare

Increased awareness and education about genetic risks

A healthier population, empowered with the knowledge of their genetic makeup

At Greenarray, we’re excited to be part of this transformative journey. Together, we’ll help bring genomic insights to everyone, everywhere.

📞 Ready to learn about how genomic testing can benefit you and your family? Let’s start the conversation today. 🧬 Greenarray: Leading the future of affordable, accessible genomics in India.