Dr. Diane Allingham-Hawkins, Director of the Genetic Test Evaluation Program at Hayes, Inc., was the featured guest on the August 13, 2010 radio broadcast of Life Love & Health: Special Edition, hosted by Christopher Springmann. Dr. Allingham-Hawkins discussed the growing concerns associated with genetic tests marketed directly to consumers; she also offered expert insight into the recently held meetings on FDA oversight of laboratory-developed tests and the congressional hearing on direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

Multimedia Segments

Mr. Springmann and Dr. Allingham-Hawkins begin their discussion by outlining what a laboratory-developed test (LDT) is and why the FDA has renewed interest in oversight of LDTs and the recent meetings held by the FDA to get public input on oversight of LDTs. Listen now!

In this segment, Mr. Springmann and Dr. Allingham-Hawkins talk about Hayes Inc’s participation in the recent FDA meeting on LDTs and what the impact of increased FDA oversight of LDTs might be for Hayes’ clients and consumers. Listen now!

Mr. Springmann and Dr. Allingham-Hawkins move their discussion to the area of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests and a recent congressional hearing on DTC genetic tests that was held by the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Listen now!

In the final segment, Mr. Springmann and Dr. Allingham-Hawkins discuss the Hayes GTE Program and our approach to the evidence-based evaluation of genetic tests and other medical technologies. Listen now!

To get more information about Hayes, Inc. and the Genetic Test Evaluation program, click here to submit your inquiry.

Background Information
Diane Allingham-Hawkins joined Hayes in early 2008 to launch the industry’s first Genetic Test Evaluation (GTE) Service. Dr. Allingham-Hawkins received her BSc degree in Honors Genetics from the University of Western Ontario in 1987 and her PhD in Human Genetics from McMaster University in 1993. She is board-certified in molecular genetics and cytogenetics by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists. Dr. Allingham-Hawkins is a recognized leader in the field of human genetics who has served on numerous local, national, and international committees to study genetics, has authored or coauthored more than 60 publications, and has presented over 60 scholarly papers at organizations such as the American Society of Human Genetics, the American College of Medical Genetics, and the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.

Life Love & Health
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