Marshall Summar

Marshall Summar is the Division Chief for Genetics and Metabolism at Children’s National Hospital as well as the Chairman of the National Organization for Rare Disorders and the President of the Society of Inherited Metabolic Diseases. He reveals the astounding progress since the completion of the Human Genome Project, which cost $1½ billion and now can be duplicated today for an astounding one-hundred thousandth of that cost. He and Aaron discuss the newest uses for DNA Technology and the how the interpretation of DNA test results can vary. Dr. Summar discloses the realities of Personalized Medicine and how some unrealistic promises for cures and preventions have been made. Finally, he reveals the major advantages of screening newborns for genetic problems so they can be addressed at an early stage which is far more medically- and cost-effective.