Outsmart Your Genes

In 2010, Penguin published the hardcover book Outsmart Your Genes by Brandon Colby MD.^[1] The paperback edition, which contained updated content and a new chapter on on a gene-based cure to HIV infection, was then published in 2011. This book is written for the lay reader and discusses the new field of predictive medicine and genetic testing from the perspective of a physician. The book provides specific examples of how genetic testing can be utilized to lower a person’s risk of a large number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, asthma and many others.

The book was featured on the "How to Outsmart Your Genes" episode of the TV show The Doctors.^[2]‬‬

Author

Brandon Colby MD, is an American physician, geneticist and writer on topics of predictive medicine and genetic testing.

He’s the founder and CEO/Medical Director of Existence Genetics, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Colby's predictive medical practice, Existence Health, is also located in Los Angeles.

Colby was born with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EB), a rare disease which causes blisters to form when one's skin temperature rises above a certain level. This condition sparked his interest in genetics early in life and led to his lifelong commitment to make a difference in the world of medicine through the use of genetic technologies.^[3]

Colby holds a degree in Genetics from the University of Michigan Honors Program, an MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.^[3]

Colby is an Affiliate Specialist of the American College of Medical Genetics(ACMG), an Associate of the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), and a member of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).

Contents

In his book, Colby writes about how genetic testing can empower individuals to protect their future health and prevent disease.^[4] One topic he discusses in detail is Alzheimer’s, asserting that even if you are genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s, there are lifestyle choices you can make to help decrease risk and delay onset.^[5] One example he discusses is avoidance of head injury.^[6]

Colby discusses about how knowing your genetic predispositions can be important to medical decisions throughout your life such as if you are predisposed to cancers, limiting your exposure to radiation when possible can help prevent onset of cancer.^[7] He believes personalizing medicine with genetic testing is the revolution needed in the healthcare system because the current healthcare model is unsustainable.^[8]

Unlike some other geneticists,^[9] Colby is a strong advocate for performing genetic testing on newborns and children in order to ascertain their risk of diseases that may manifest much later in life, such as breast cancer, melanoma, and Alzheimer's. Throughout Outsmart Your Genes, Colby discusses that the reason for this is that parents can start to lower the risk of these diseases in their children if they find out their children are genetically predisposed to any of them. Colby provides specifics on how each of these diseases can start to be prevented in newborns and children.

External links

• Facebook page
• Existence Genetics official website
• Outsmart Your Genes official website
• Existence Health official website
• Twitter Profile

References

1. ^ "Outsmart Your Genes - Books by Brandon Colby MD". Penguin Group (USA). 2010-04-06. http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780399535574,00.html?strSrchSql=outsmart+your+genes/Outsmart_Your_Genes_Brandon_Colby_MD. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
2. ^ "‪Existence Genetics & Dr. Colby featured on THE DOCTORS "How to Outsmart Your Genes" Episode‬". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9yergeoFUU. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
3. ^ ^{a b} http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2011/apr/11/under-skin/
4. ^ "Should you test your genes?". CNN. 2010-06-17. http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/17/home.genetic.tests/. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
5. ^ "How to Lower Your Chances of Getting Alzheimer's". iVillage. 2010-04-23. http://www.ivillage.com/how-lower-your-chances-getting-alzheimers/4-a-153154. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
6. ^ "Brandon Colby, M.D.: Waging a New Offensive in the War Against Alzheimer's Disease". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brandon-colby-md/alzheimers-waging-a-new-o_b_574002.html. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
7. ^ Monday (2011-03-28). "What Women Must Know". Progressive Radio Network. http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/what-women-must-know/2011/3/28/what-women-must-know-032811.html. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
8. ^ "What Do Your Genes Know That You Don't?". Health Radio. 2010-05-29. http://www.healthradio.net/component/mtree/Health-Radio-Shows/You-The-Owner%27s-Manual-w-2F-Dr-2E-Michael-Roizen/What-Do-Your-Genes-Know-That-You-Don%27t-3F-42265/details. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
9. ^ Fiore (2010-06-22). "Some Parents Favor Cancer Gene Tests for Children". BreastCancer.org. http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/new_research/20100622c.jsp. Retrieved 2011-06-01.