MONDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- Genetics and random environmental factors each play a major role in determining both gay and heterosexual behavior, say British and Swedish researchers.

12% of all our babies will be born prematurely!

Everyone has always known someone who had a preemie (a baby born prior to 37 weeks in the womb) but at this rate, we all know a lot of someones! The Center for Disease Control studied 7 million babies over a decade, in an effort to understand why so many babies are born prematurely and any adverse affects they may experience.

Let's not forget that in most cases a preemie baby is not anyone's fault and in most instances there is nothing that could be done!

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush on Wednesday signed legislation to protect people from losing their jobs or health insurance when genetic testing reveals they are susceptible to costly diseases.

Broadly embraced in Congress, the anti-discrimination measure aims to ensure that advances in DNA testing won't end up being used against people.

The new law forbids employers and insurance companies from denying employment, promotions or health coverage to people when genetic tests show they have a predisposition to cancer, heart disease or other ailments.

By Amanda Gardner
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, May 5 (HealthDay News) -- Parents of children with autism have double the odds of having been hospitalized for a psychiatric condition than parents of children without autism, according to a comprehensive review of Swedish medical registries.

Eventually, the information may provide a way for experts to start untangling the complex genetic and environmental interactions involved in different psychiatric conditions, including autism.

TUESDAY, April 29 (HealthDay News) -- The launch of the International Cancer Genome Consortium was announced Tuesday by research organizations from around the world.

The consortium was created to produce high-quality genomic data on up to 50 types of cancer.

Each consortium member plans to conduct a comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of the full range of genomic changes in at least one specific type or subtype of cancer. Each project is expected to involve specimens from at least 500 patients and to have an estimated cost of $20 million.

For years, I have battled insomnia. I strongly believe—and I’ve read studies that confirm this—that this is a genetic trait, much in the way kids inherit blue eyes or blond hair from their parents. In my case, I believe I take after my Mom, who I watched suffer with sleeplessness for years.
So although I can’t honestly blame all of my current problems with sleeplessness on my hysterectomy, I can tell you that having the surgery hasn’t helped me at all with this condition. If anything, it got even worse—primarily because of the drugs I was prescribed to help make it better.