All Access DNA

Flexibility, pain, and fatigue are part of hypermobility EDS. In this conversation, Dr. Taylor Kerrins discusses Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), particularly hypermobile EDS, covering its definition, symptoms, diagnosis, and management strategies. He shares personal experiences with the condition, the challenges of obtaining a diagnosis, and the importance of physical therapy and exercise. The discu...

Pediatric cancer and genetic testing. In this conversation, Sarah Scollon discusses the complexities of childhood cancer, particularly the genetic factors that may contribute to its development. She explains the differences between tumor and germline testing, the importance of identifying children at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes, and the evolving guidelines for genetic testing in pediatric...

Navigating child heart failure and mitochondrial disease. Dr. Heather Gatcombe shares her personal journey as a physician and mother navigating the complexities of mitochondrial disease and heart failure in her son. She discusses the challenges of diagnosis, the emotional toll of medical crises, and the journey through heart transplant. Dr. Gatcombe emphasizes the importance of understanding mitoc...

Neurodiversity advocacy and a genetic condition associated with autism. In this conversation, Jacalyn Lee shares her journey into advocacy, driven by her experiences as a mother of a child diagnosed with DEAF1 Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder (DAND). She discusses the emotional complexities of receiving a diagnosis, the importance of community support, and the establishment of the DAND Allia...

How does genetics influence individual responses to medications and what is pharmacogenomics? Jeri explains the significance of pharmacogenomic testing in personalizing medication management, highlighting its potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce adverse effects. Through real patient stories, the discussion emphasizes the importance of genetic information in prescribing practices and th...

It is a podcast crossover with It Happened to Me: A Rare Disease & Medical Challenges Podcast!  It Happened to Me is also part of the Gene Pool Media Network In this podcast, patient advocates Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman share their medical challenges living with rare diseases and are joined by fellow advocates and experts on the show.   For this episode, Beth Glassman interviews her co...

Exploring Hereditary Cancer and the Making of "Love, Danielle". In this conversation, Devon Sidell and Amy Byer Shaneman discuss their new film, 'Love, Danielle' which explores the emotional and physical challenges faced by individuals with BRCA gene mutations. They share their personal stories, the impact of preventative surgeries, and the importance of genetic testing. The film aims to raise awa...

Considerations in genetic testing and IVF. In this conversation, Natalie Richeimer discusses the intricacies of pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) as part of in vitro fertilization (IVF). She explains the different types of PGT, its accuracy, limitations, and the ethical considerations surrounding genetic testing. The financial burden of IVF and PGT is also addressed, highlighting the lack of...

Hey hey DNA! We are celebrating our first season by being nominated for the Podcast Awards! Please help us win the title as Best Health Podcast. Just head over to podcastawards.com and click the blue button that says “Signup to Vote Now” and fill out your info. Then a CRUCIAL step is to check off the box that says “Please consider me as one of the listeners that will be randomly selected to vote o...

In this conversation, Dr. Chaya Murali discusses the importance of understanding autism, the role of genetic testing, and the impact of misinformation surrounding vaccines and autism. She emphasizes the need for families to seek reliable resources and support while navigating the complexities of neurodivergence. The conversation also highlights the emotional aspects of parenting children with auti...

In this conversation, Kim Zayhowski discusses the distinctions between sex and gender, emphasizing that sex is biological while gender is a social construct. She explores the complexities of chromosomes, the fluidity of gender identity, and the implications of societal norms on individual expression. The discussion also touches on the weaponization of scientific terminology in policy-making, the i...

In this conversation, Eric Green discusses the role of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in leading the Human Genome Project and advancing genomic research. He shares his journey at NHGRI, highlighting the significant progress made in genomic medicine, including the All of Us Research Program, which aims to collect genomic and health data from a diverse population. Dr. Green emp...

In this conversation, Dr. Shelley Sella discusses her book “Beyond Limits: Stories of Third-Trimester Abortion Care” and her experiences in providing third trimester abortion care. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the circumstances that lead individuals to seek such care, the emotional and psychological aspects involved, and the need for compassionate support. The discussion also tou...

This is a replay of our bonus episode that was released on March 28, 2025 and prior to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals purchasing 23andMe. Regeneron entered the asset purchase agreement on May 19, 2025 and states it plans to maintain the consumer genetics business. Regeneron also stated it would prioritize the privacy, security and ethical use of 23andMe's customer data. See more about the announcement...

In this conversation, we delve into the complexities surrounding intersex and transgender identities, focusing on medical ethics and the importance of patient autonomy. Our guest, Kaitlyn Brown, discusses their advocacy for the intersex community, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care in healthcare settings. We talk about the differences between intersex and transgender identities, th...

We are featuring an episode from another podcast on Gene Pool Media, DNA Today. True crime dominates the podcasting world, but what about the genetic aspects behind these cases? In this episode of DNA Today, we dive into the pivotal role of DNA in forensic science with Dr. Henry Erlich, a pioneer in DNA analysis and a key figure in developing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. His work ha...

In this episode, Kate talks to Matt Hay about is book, “Soundtrack of Silence”. Matt opens up about his experience with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a genetic condition that led to profound hearing loss- and ultimately, the creation of his memoir, “Soundtrack of Silence: Love, Loss, and a Playlist for Life”. We explore his and his wife’s journey with IVF and preimplantation genetic testing, how...

In this conversation, Barry Tong discusses the complexities of cancer genetics, emphasizing the intersection of genetic factors and public health. He explains how cancer arises from both genetic predispositions and environmental influences, and the importance of personalized risk assessments. The discussion also highlights the role of family history in cancer risk, and the challenges faced by pati...

In this conversation, Kevin Alexander shares his personal journey living with PKU (phenylketonuria) and his passion for newborn screening advocacy. He discusses the importance of dietary therapy, the challenges of navigating insurance coverage for treatment, and the critical role of newborn screening in early detection. We discuss the recent policy changes enacted without warning by the current ad...

In this conversation, Priscila discusses Parkinson's disease, its genetic and environmental factors, and the role of genetic counseling. She highlights the PD Generation study, which aims to increase awareness and understanding of Parkinson's disease, particularly in diverse communities. Priscila emphasizes the need for inclusive research and the role of language access in genetic counseling, shar...

In this conversation, Naomi Wagner (she/her) discusses the intersection of ophthalmology and genetics, focusing on how genes influence eye development and diseases. She explains the complexity of inherited eye conditions, particularly retinitis pigmentosa, and the ongoing research in ocular genetics. The discussion also explores the inheritance of eye color and the importance of understanding visi...

In today’s episode, Karen Merritt shares her personal journey of advocacy for DPD deficiency awareness following her mother's tragic experience with chemotherapy. The discussion delves into the importance of genetic testing for DPYD mutations before administering certain chemotherapy drugs, the challenges in raising awareness among healthcare professionals, and ongoing advocacy efforts to include...

In today’s episode, we explore the complexities of genetic data privacy, particularly in light of 23andMe's recent bankruptcy filing. Anya Prince discusses the implications for customer data, the legal protections in place, and the unique risks associated with genetic information. The discussion also covers the challenges of data de-identification, customer rights regarding data deletion, and the...

In this episode of All Access DNA, Dave Dubin discusses his foundation, Alive and Kick’n, which he started after being diagnosed with Lynch syndrome. He explains the importance of awareness and advocacy for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of colon and other cancers. The discussion covers the differences between sporadic colon cancer and hereditary forms, the signific...

In this conversation, Ellen Matloff, a certified genetic counselor and CEO of My Gene Counsel, discusses the implications of gene ownership and patents, particularly focusing on the BRCA gene patent case against Myriad Genetics. She shares her journey from being a cancer genetic counselor to becoming an individual plaintiff in the gene patent case. We discuss the challenges faced in the legal batt...