Timeline of genetics in Arkansas
Created by albera on Jul 17, 2008
Last updated: 03/12/10 at 01:12 AM
After 13 years of deliberation in the House and Senate, GINA is passed.
http://www.genome.gov/24519851
Founding Director and Section Chief, Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism, G. Bradley Schaefer, MD. FAAP, FACMG to lead the program, with the goal of having a free-standing Department of Genetics in the UAMS College of Medicine in 5 years.
Myriad Genetics begins offering its BRACAnalysis test directly to consumers, other companies follow suit. The controversy continues....
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/11/business/media/11genetics.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the lead institution in the MAGEC consortium genetic counseling training program, along with the Universities of Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, launch a unique Master's of Science program which incorporates distance learning into the curriculum.
http://www.uams.edu/CHRP/genetics/program.asp
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/project/about.shtml
Promotes Folic Acid awareness among women of childbearing age in Arkansas.
http://www.uams.edu/Folic_Acid/aboutthecoalition.asp
Newborns screened for 5 disorders: hearing, PKU, hemoglobinopathies, galactosemia, and congenital hypothyroidism. Fee increased to $14.00. Panel remains unchanged until 2008.
http://www.infanthearing.org/legislative/summary/arkansas.html
A partnership between the Arkansas Reproductive Health Monitoring System (ARHMS), UAMS, the Arkansas Department of Health, and the Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute. Charlotte Hobbs, M.D., Ph.D., Director
Myriad first markets its BRACAnalysis test.
Arkansas now screens for 4 conditions: PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, hemoglobinopathies and galactosemia. Galactosemia is a condition in which the newborn cannot digest a sugar, galactose, found in human and animal milk. Treatment consists of removing all sources of galactose from the diet. Untreated, galactosemia can lead to blindness, mental retardation and ovarian failure in females.
Semi-monthly fetal echocardiography offered as part of prenatal clinic by pediatric cardiologists from Arkansas Children's Hospital.
Commemorative symposium held October 15, 1993.
Meetings held semi-monthly in Little Rock.
PKU, Hemoglobinopathies, Congenital hypothyroidism. $8.00 fee instituted.
For neural tube defects and trisomy risk.
With the hiring of Dr. Curtis Lowery.
All newborns in the state are screened.
Consultation service for healthcare professionals. Based in the Dept. of OB/GYN. Member program of OTIS (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists).
Dr. Robert Williamson, St. Mary's Hospital, London.
Due to lack of need. The executive committee was formed to assist in medical decision-making.
Patient load quadruples in first three months of its existence.
One of regional networks of the Council of Regional Genetics Networks (CORN), the GPGSN encompassed AR, IA, KS, MO, NE, OK, ND, SD
http://www.kumc.edu/gec/prof/corn.html
Specimens were sent out of state until UAMS lab opened in 1986.
Held in Fayetteville, Pine Bluff, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, El Dorado, Helena, Conway and Texarkana
Monday morning clinic offered genetic counseling and amniocentesis for high-risk patients.
The establishment of the ARGP brought all genetics services (OB/GYN and Pediatrics) in Arkansas under a single umbrellla, The program hired a nurse and social worker to provide genetic counseling services to patients and families. The program was administered by an advisory committee (consisting of representatives from the medical institutions, public health agency staff and community members), and an executive committee, composed of medical personnel, whose role was to clarify medical questions and mediate decision making.
Comes under the umbrella of the Arkansas Genetics Program. Based at Arkansas Children's Hospital, the clinic follows children and adults with birth defects, genetic and metabolic conditions. The ACH biochemical genetics lab is the only US lab with the ability to assay for Trimethylamine, the substance responsible for the metabolic condition referred to as Fish Odor Syndrome.
Dr. Florence Char of UAMS first describes a syndrome characterized by 1. patent ductus arteriosus, 2. characteristic facial features including a flattened appearance to the face, and 3. shortened fifth fingers. (Image courtesy of UAMS Historical Research Collection Digital Photo Collection.)
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