Expert to discuss the future of genetics, personalized medicine, at Morristown Memorial Hospital

Kevin Davies, PhD, the founding editor of one of the world's leading genetics journals, and noted expert in the field of genomics, will discuss how that burgeoning field of science will be increasingly used to personalize patient care and medicine at the Morristown Memorial Health Foundation's annual Wellness Lecture, on Thursday, November 11, 2010.

The author of "Cracking the Genome," and, "The $1,000 Genome," Davies was the founding editor of Nature Genetics, one of the world's leading genetics journals, which he headed for its first five years. He is also editor-in-chief of Bio-IT World, a monthly magazine covering technology in the life sciences. Dr. Davies has also written for The Times (London), The Boston Globe, The New England Journal of Medicine and New Scientist. He holds a master's degree in biochemistry from the University of Oxford and a PhD in molecular genetics from the University of London.

The lecture, "Genomics in Personal Medicine: Your Genetic Code, the Key to Your Personal Health, Wellness and Medical Care," will be moderated by Arnold Pallay, MD, Director of Primary Care Genomics at Atlantic Health.

Genomics, the study of the human genome, a person's full set of DNA, has become a growing field of medicine in recent years, while becoming more and more accessible to all patients. Currently, genetic testing to predict diseases to which a patient would be predisposed and the best form of treatment are increasingly becoming part of standardized medicine. An example of such testing getting more widespread use is genetic testing for a predisposition to breast and colon cancer, which is offered at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Centers at both Morristown Memorial Hospital and Overlook Hospitals.

The event will include a door prize of a DNA genome service, including health and ancestry for over 140 conditions, from 23 And Me, a leading personal genetics company, courtesy of Dr. Pallay.

Parking for the event is available on the hospital premises in the JCP&L parking lot for $2. For further information or to register for the lecture, please call 1-800-247-9580.