Health : Health Buzz: DNA Test Exposes Undisclosed Incest |
| Health Buzz: DNA Test Exposes Undisclosed Incest Posted: 11 Feb 2011 10:50 AM PST DNA Tests May Unintentionally Expose Incest, Leading to Ethical and Legal Dilemmas A new DNA test that maps out a person's entire genetic code is unearthing undisclosed cases of incest. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston have detected about 10 cases of incest from genetic patterns that appear only in children born from father-daughter, mother-son, or brother-sister relationships, they report today in the Lancet. They recently began using the test in an attempt to discover the genetic underpinnings of pediatric patients' developmental disorders, and now believe incest could be responsible for some of those cases. (About half of children born from incestuous relationships will be afflicted by a developmental disability, according to The Houston Chronicle.) Doctors are legally required to report such discoveries if the mother is a minor, since it could signify child abuse. But if the mother is an adult, the doctor's responsibility is less clear. Nancy Snipper, a professor of pathology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has discovered two cases of incest using the DNA test, one of which led to a man's incarceration for rape, according to Reuters. As the test becomes more widespread—it's now used in about 30 of the nation's largest medical centers—medical groups should create guidelines to help physicians who inadvertently learn of incest, say the report's authors. For Realistic Advice on Healthy Eating, Federal Dietary Guidelines Fall Short Quick: How many milligrams of sodium did you eat during the Super Bowl? If your big game buffet included choices like hot dogs, buffalo wings, fries, and cole slaw, you probably blew through your day's allowance of sodium in a single meal, according to the most recent edition of the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These comprehensive guidelines for healthy eating, which are updated every five years to reflect the latest scientific data, advise that healthy adults and children ages 2 and older consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Adults over 50, or those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease, should consume less than 1,500 mg. Unfortunately, only 1 in 7 of us currently meets those targets; the average American consumes 3,400 mg of sodium per day, family physician Kenny Lin writes for U.S. News. Eating too much sodium leads to high blood pressure, which increases risk of a heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems. Two studies published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Annals of Internal Medicine estimated that reducing average sodium intake by 1,200 mg per day could prevent up to 92,000 deaths each year and save more than $30 billion in medical costs by 2050. [Read more: For Realistic Advice on Healthy Eating, Federal Dietary Guidelines Fall Short.] Use These 8 Foods to Help You Lose Weight Sure, we all know the basic nutrition rules when it comes to safeguarding our health and losing weight. In the words of best-selling nutrition writer Michael Pollan, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Sounds simple, but if you're interested in maximizing the amount of nutrients you get, you may want to be a little choosy when selecting among various options in each food group. Some fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products stand out as nutritional superstars, according to the latest research. And they're also easy on the calorie count to help you shed pounds, fitness blogger Ryan Sullivan writes for U.S. News. Consider incorporating these foods into your daily meal plan: 1. Watermelon. It's not only delicious, but packs a wallop of antioxidants like vitamins A and C. It also contains lycopene, a plant chemical found in studies to lower your risk of cancer, heart disease and age-related vision loss due to macular degeneration. Just as gratifying: One cup of cubed watermelon contains less than 50 calories, not too damaging for your waistline. 2. Avocado. This extremely versatile fruit can be used in salads, sandwiches, and guacamole. Filled with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocado is a healthful alternative to mayonnaise and can help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels. Just watch your portions. One-quarter of a medium-sized avocado contains 65 calories, so you don't want to overdo it. [Read more: Use These 8 Foods to Help You Lose Weight.] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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