At the same time, concerns are being raised that the desire for commerce and profits is getting ahead of the science. Writing earlier this month in Science magazine, researchers at the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University warn that "Misleading marketing claims are particularly troubling when tests are sold directly to consumers (DTC), because there is no health-care provider to serve as a "gatekeeper" to prevent inappropriate test ordering or misinterpretation of test results."  For instance, genetic tests are being marketed by 15 companies  that claim to predict side effects and best dosing for commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressants even though a CDC study showed no convincing evidence that the tests results improved patient outcomes.

Read more here.

Cancer Cure Fraud

A former resident of Broward County, Florida, who hawked phony cancer cures over the internet from the Netherlands has been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in jail. Arthur VanMoor was found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, misbranding of drugs and the introduction of unapproved new drugs into interstate commerce in January, sentenced earlier this month, and ordered to pay $1,900. A hearing to establish  how much money he owes in restitution to victims of his fraud will be held within the next three months. 

Read the FBI release on the case here and a short story in the Sun Sentinel here.

To Bring Home the Gold

Brain tumor won't stop this Olympic hopeful. Marin Morrison is a 17-year-old swimmer from Washington state.  Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelly tells her story this week.  He reports that two years ago the Make-A-Wish Foundation hoped she would live long enough for them to send Morrison to the Beijing Olympics as a spectator.  Instead she's going as a competitor on the  US Paralympic Swim Team and believes she can medal in her sport.  Read her inspiring story here.

Olympic Follow-Up

American marathoner Emily LeVan (who we told you about here last week)  did not make the U.S. Olympic Women's  Marathon team at the Olympic trials last weekend but she called her run "probably the sweetest victory of any race I have ever run."  She writes: " I was completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for me, Maddie [her infant daughter diagnosed with leukemia], and Two Trials, as I ran along the loop course. " You can read about her run at her web site here.

Drug Approved to Reduce Opioid-Induced Constipation

The FDA approved a new drug this week, methylnaltrexone bromide, to restore bowel function to patients with late-stage disease getting opioids on a continuous basis to relieve pain. Constipation can be a life-threatening complication of long-term opioid pain control. Both natural and synthetic opioids (drugs such as morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and oxycodone) relax the muscles of the intestinal tract. The new drug blocks the opioid from the muscle cells without interfering with the painkilling function. Read the FDA release about the approval here.  You can find out more about the drug here.