Genealogy Shows

I hope you watched the first episode of Who Do Your Think You Are? last night on The Learning Channel. It featured Kelly Clarkson. Seven episodes will follow this summer. If you can’t get The Learning Channel or missed this episode for other reasons, you soon should be able to view it online. However, last night's episode does not seem to be working correctly yet. It was just loaded and only plays for a minute or two. I don't know if the site is overloaded or there is some other problem. In the meantime you can enter the sweepstakes to win a Trip to the Motherland.by answering a question based on that first episode. If you saw it what do you think about that episode?

Next week Christina Applegate will be the featured celebrity. 

Soon after WDYTYA completes its eight week run in September, genealogy junkies will be treated to the latest import from Europe -- this time from Ireland. Genealogy Roadshow will kick off a four week run on Public Television on September 23rd at 9:00 PM (8:00 Central). While WDYTYA traces its pedigree back to England and BBC, Genealogy Roadshow is patterned after the RTE show now beginning its second season which features the genealogical quests of ordinary people. 

Henry Lewis Gates is working on a new series as well; but I have yet to see a release schedule for it. Hopefully we will get to watch it in 2014.

Kelly Clarkson Leads Off Who Do You Think You Are?

It's time to mark your calendar and/or set your DVR to watch the first episode of the new season of Who Do You Think You Are? This season 8 episodes will air on the The Learning Channel. Kelly Clarkson will be featured in episode 1. The producers are aiming for a younger audience in their choice of subjects. It will be interesting to see how much content can be included in the new half-hour format. Episode 1 will air Tuesday, July 23 at 9 PM (8 PM Central).

This season's full lineup of celebrities is listed below:

If you should miss an episode, after they air they can be watched online.

If you want to see non-celebrities featured in a show like this, watch for "Genealogy Roadshow" coming in September on Public Television.  

Genetics provide cancer insight

Today's Tennessean carries an interesting article about medical screening through DNA testing:

Genetics provide cancer insight | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

In the article

Dr. Joann Boughman, executive vice president of the American Society of Human Genetics in Bethesda, Md., said genetic counselors can provide context and help with decision-making.

"It’s important for individuals to know their family medical history, which may require some detective work to gather, Boughman said.

“It’s an engagement process, and it isn’t always rapid, and it can be very uncomfortable,” she said. But “once you start talking to your family in a reasonable way about this and explain, ‘Everybody is at risk for something; let’s figure out if, as a group, we’re at risk for something special,’ that people will start to open up.”

Dr. Boughman advocates having your results sent to your physician for help in interpretation and context. If this is going to work, more physicians are going to have to become much more conversant in genomic medicine.

You may also wish to consult:
www.talkhealthhistory.org 
familyhistory.hhs.gov 
Whatever you to do be proactive and take charge of your medical treatment planning. Your medical providers may or may not be prepared to do so on your behalf. Hopefully, you can be equal partners in deciding what is best for you and your family.