March 2010 Archives

Today, your local DNA collector doesn't just let you know "who's the daddy" but your local DNA collector can also provide what is known as Predictive Genetic Tests.  Are you predisposed to colorectal cancer or does your DNA tell us that you have a predisposition to Celiac's disease? 

Your local DNA collector can collect a small sample of your DNA via finger stick blood drop (think of a diabetic test strip) and within days provide you with your risk factor expressed in terms of a percentage for developing the following diseases.  It is important to note that although you may have risk factors for these diseases, there is no concrete evidence that you would develop the symptoms or full blown diseases.  However, a few preventive measures taken today may contribute to your quality of life later on. 

Diseases on the Preventive Genetic Test

• Lupus
• Graves' disease
• Celiac disease  (** change your diet now)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Psoriasis

• Aneurysm

• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart disease (** change your diet now)
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Venous thromboembolism

• Macular degeneration

• Alzheimer's disease (remove sources of Aluminum in your household)
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis (increase use of tumeric in foods)

• Obesity

• Migraine
• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes (increase activity; cut down on carbohydrates)

 

• Cancers
• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Skin cancer

When we hear a diagnosis of cancer, many of us still think it is a "death sentence".  But  cancers are curable and in some cases preventable based on diet and exercise.  Much of the treatment today, (although nothing is pleasant) is not as debilitating as it once was.  Diagnosis and early detection are once again key to improving your quality of life.  Are you prone to skin cancer - use high strength sun screen creams, use a foundation with SPF in it and avoid strong hot sun hours between 11 am and 2pm in your teens, 20s and 30s and improve your chances of avoiding any serious skins conditions.  Are you prone to gastric cancer - go easy on the hot liquids, caffeine and hot, spicy foods.

After you have a predictive genetic test, it is always best to consult with your Primary Care Physician in order to determine any steps you should immediately take based on results.  Minors should not be subjected to Predictive Genetic Testing. 

Found this link on   LinkedIn and it is a great tool for anyone to use with internet access. 

The green card tracker is designed to show your position in line for a green card. It relies on official USCIS I-485 data to automatically calculate the number of applicants who are ahead of you. If your I-485 is still pending, use this tool to figure out the total number of Adjustment of Status (green card) cases from your country, in the same employment-based category, but having an earlier priority date (PD).

To check your position in the green card queue, select your I-485 information and click "Track I-485":

On January 1, 2010, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) released its 9th Edition of Standards for Relationship Testing Laboratories.  The continued updating and renewal of such accreditation is a testament to the need for national standards for all DNA Tests.  How many times do I hear that someone used one of those over the counter, local drug store kits and just are not comfortable or convinced of the results.  To add to kit-user's frustration, there is no one to speak to directly for interpretation of the over the counter, do it yourself DNA kits.  The frustrated consumer has paid over $150 in some instances, and is left with the same doubt as when they purchased the DNA kits.    

 

The 9th Edition of the AABB's Standards for Relationship Testing laboratories, clearly states that all collection materials must be sent to a proper DNA collection facility or witness.  Collection materials may not be in possession of the parties to be tested, before or after the DNA collection.

The new edition prohibits the selling of home test kits or sending kits to tested parties.  This further prohibits tested parties from collecting their own DNA.  In New Jersey, a court admissible DNA test can be done by simply calling your local DNA collector and set up a convenient time for testing.  Be sure to bring proper identification, such as, current driver's license, military id, passports, residence cards - any picture identification that is issued by a U.S. government entity.  Also, for purposes of Immigration, have all the contact information readily available for your beneificiary.  If you are doing a Paternity Test or other family relationship test for court purposes, your identification will be photocopied, you will be photographed and fingerprinted.  If in the future your lawyer needs to access your file, he/she will have access to a file that is considered Legally Admissible.  Your local DNA collector will follow a Chain of Custody so that your results are acceptable in court. 

 

 

Since announcing the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), USCIS has received thousands of applications. In reviewing these applications, we've noticed the following problems:

1. Not including the appropriate filing fee. Include the appropriate fee with your application.
   USCIS has created a chart to help customers know what fees they are
   required to pay when they file for TPS. It is located on the "Temporary
   Protected Status - Haiti" page under the "Humanitarian"
   section of uscis.gov. If you cannot afford
   to pay the filling fee, you may request a fee waiver. Information on fee
   waivers can be found on the "Fee
   Waiver Guidance" page. 
2. Not completing every question on the form. Complete every question on the form. If you skip or
   do not answer questions on the form, processing may be delayed, or your
   application may be rejected or denied.
3. Not including your A-number (if you have one). If you have an alien number (A number), it is very important that you include
   that number on your application. 
4. Not signing the application.
   Please sign your application. If your application is not signed, we will
   reject your application and return it. 
5. Using an incorrect form to apply for TPS.
   Use only forms I-821 and I-765 to apply for TPS. Other forms cannot be used to apply for TPS. If you submit different forms, your case will be rejected or denied. You may
   obtain these forms for free here.
   You may also call our forms center at 1-800-870-3676 and have the forms
   sent to you.

The problems listed above may cause a delay in the processing of your
application or may result in your application being rejected and returned
to you or denied. Please avoid these problems and follow the tips provided
to ensure proper processing of your application.

While most babies are healthy when they are born, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) routinely screens new babies to help prevent serious problems like mental retardation or death.

Prior to discharge from the hospital, your nurse or health care provider will take a few drops of blood from your baby's heel.  The hospital will then send the blood samples to a newborn screening laboratory. 

If there is a problem, the HRSA will notify parents and health care providers immediately.  However, since there is so much going on during the first few weeks of your new baby's life, it is important for you to specifically ask for the results.  If you leave the hospital or place of birth, prior to 24 hours after giving birth, the HRSA may ask for the baby to be retested.  Some states require that all babies be tested, twice for accuracy.  Some babies may need to be retested because the original sample was not sufficient to complete testing.  A few babies may need to be retested because the first test showed a possible health problem.

If  you are requested to bring in baby for retesting, do not become concerned until you have spoken to your healthcare provider and they explain the circumstances.  As stated above, it just may be routine for your State to test twice.  However, if you do receive a call or notice to have your baby retested, get it done right away.  In the process, insure that your health care provider and the hospital have your updated contact information including home address, phone, email and nowadays - include your cell phone. 

Your health care professional should be able to answer any of your questions.  Do not be worry about your question being silly - unless you are a trained genetic counselor you may not understand the meaning of the tests but you have the right to a full explanation in terms you can understand. 

Puerto Rico's New Birth Certificate Law (Law 191 of 2009)

The government of Puerto Rico has enacted a new law (Law 191 of 2009) aimed at strengthening the issuance and usage of birth certificates to combat fraud and protect the identity and credit of all people born in Puerto Rico. 

The new law was based on collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports, Social Security benefits, and other federal services. 

Under the new law, all Puerto Rico birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, will be invalidated so that new, more secure certificates can be issued. Until that date, all birth certificates will remain valid.  If you are required to undergo a DNA test to confirm a biological relationship, ie, paternity, maternity, siblingship or grand paternity, call your local DNA Lady to coordinate the collection in the continental USA and in Puerto Rico.

It is important to understand that there is no need to rush out and get a new birth certificate on July 1.  It is suggested that only people who have a specific need for their birth certificate for official purposes need request a new birth certificate right away.

Those Puerto Rican-born living in the states will be able to request and receive their new birth certificates through a simple process by mail.  The fee is $5, but will be waived for people over 60 and for veterans.

For additional information on the new law, please visit the links below.

Birth Certificate Law Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions

Text of New Birth Certificate Law

Birth Certificate Application  *Please note: the new, more secure birth certificates will be available on or after July 1, 2010.

All the commercials are pointing to a new show about the glitterati (SJP and the rest) researching their Ancestry and surprise, surprise - everyone that participated in the show is genuinely shocked to know their true ancestry.  Hollywood is Hollywood and I appreciate the creativity but it seems unlikely for someone to have reached the age of 21, and notwithstanding an adoption or abduction, and not have some idea of your ancestral origins.  This blog is not meant to make light of anyone in a situation where they do not know their parents' country of origin. 

Most of us have celebrated a special day during the year with other close and distant family members that gave you a clue as to your family's country of origin.  Or you have that chestnut Red Hair and Blue Eyes and you know the words to "Danny Boy"  - that gave you a clue, too.  Take the upcoming St. Patrick's Day - celebrated in our house every year with Corn Beef and Cabbage (thank God we only had to eat it once a year), Boiled Potatoes, Green Pistachio Bundt Cake (made by a distant cousin) and Irish Coffee for all followed by a round of "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen, across the ocean...."  Or perhaps, you have eaten the most delicious Sfinge - then you probably celebrated St. Joseph's Day.  If you can say, Baklava three times real fast - then maybe your ancestral origins are of Haplogroup G. 
 
While TV touts that Ancestry testing or DNA Research is for the stars there are countless Main Street offices that can offer the everyday consumer the same genetic insight into your ancestral origins.  Most DNA testing companies offer you access to a database that has genetic matches to you.  You are given a login and password and you are off on a journey of who's who that may possibly be related to you, once or twice removed both here in the United States and in countries abroad.  My own DNA research revealed that my mother's maiden name and my father's surname - actually are part of a family name project that descend from one gentleman known as Nialls in Ireland.   That may explain some family members.... But as with all DNA Tests, it is buyer beware.  Know what you are buying and understand the limitations.  Some Ancestry testing companies only provide you with a bird's eye view of your origins, that is, you are classified into one of the following four categories:

European
Sub-Saharan Africa
East Asian
Indigenous American

Others, can delve more deeply and provide you with information as to what type of Haplogroup you have in your genetic make up.   Understand that it is the information is a comparison of  your DNA to others in a database that have the same genetic patterns at different locations and are therefore classified into a specific category or Haplogroup (see the DNA Lady's previous blogs about Haplogroups). 

If you want to get involved in one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America then recreational DNA tests are for you.  Have a DNA party at your home or prepare for a family reunion.  You can contact one of the local DNA collection centers and find out what type of tests they offer, how the samples collections are performed, the turn around time for results (maybe get everyone tested in May for a family reunion or picnic in July), costs involved and if the collector will offer an interpretation of results or is it just something  you receive in the mail. 

The DNA Lady will come to your family reunion (give her a little Irish Coffee minus the whiskey) and discuss your results for one hour.  Have fun watching the new TV show and remember - you, too, can research your Ancestral Origins - it's fun, inexpensive and keeps family members talking for months afterward with speculation about that eccentric Aunt that never really seemed like one of the family, anyway.

Whatever your interest in DNA Testing, whether it be to research your ancestry, determine your own origins, claim a biological relationship, ie, paternity, maternity, grand paternity, avuncular - today's DNA tests are fast, affordable and non invasive.