Genome: Unlocking Life's Code

8232Have you ever wondered where your eye color comes from, or why a certain disease runs in your family? As DNA sequencing becomes more common, you may soon have the opportunity to learn how your genomic makeup contributes to your traits and to your health.

New discoveries in genomic medicine are being made every day. Not only have researchers identified thousands of genetic variants that cause or contribute to common and rare diseases, they’ve also found some that can protect you from disease.

In this UCSD-TV presentation, Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code, Dr. Eric Green, the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute offers an update on the human genome and medical genomics; Dr. Gary Firestein, director of UC San Diego’s Clinical and Translational Research Institute explains how we are more than our genes; and Dr. Razelle Kurzrock, the director of the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy at the Moores Cancer Center looks ahead to the future of genomics and cancer medicine. This program is presented by the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology in San Diego.

Watch Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.

A Side of Exploitation With That…

8232Though Democrats and Republicans alike just voted to increase the minimum wage in some states, the raise won’t apply to most restaurant workers who must still depend on customers, through tips, to make a living.

Saru Jayaraman of UC Berkeley brings her passion to the table as she criticizes the disparity between the “tipped versus non-tipped” staff as unfair and argues that raising the pay for all would benefit everyone in the food system, including employers and their patrons.

Watch Behind the Kitchen Door for more.

Browse more programs from the UC Public Policy Channel.

How Does an El Niño Affect California?

8232Mola-Mola in Valdez Alaska? Striped Marlin off Oregon?

On one hand, an El Niño event may bring torrential rains, flooding, mudslides, huge pacific storms and coastal erosion.

On the other, it warms the ocean, generates big surf, saves on heating costs, and increases surplus water supplies.

Is it all bad?

Renowned El Niño prediction expert David Pierce explains the conditions that predict an El Nino event, what we can do to prepare for one, and if one is coming our way.

Watch How Does an El Niño Affect California?

Your Medications: Making Sense of Treatments, Benefits and Risks

8232These days, medications of all kinds are being developed at an extremely fast pace. There are new treatments for everything from high cholesterol to high blood pressure, diabetes to indigestion, weight loss to male pattern baldness. Even more alarming, many of these meds, once prescription only, are available over the counter making medication use more complicated and mistakes in use more likely.

This series, Your Medications: Making Sense of Treatments, Benefits and Risks, explores how today’s healthcare providers choose, monitor, and weigh the risks and benefits of common drug therapies for you and your child.

Appropriate Antibiotic Use in the Community Setting

Anticoagulants

Weight Loss, Dietary Supplements & The Pursuit of Happiness

Adverse Drug Events in the Community

Medications in Kids

For these programs and more, visit the Your Medications series.

China: Our Partner in Spending

8232So, is it a good thing that Chinese consumers are becoming more like Americans in their pursuit of Barbie Dolls, iPhones and designer clothes? Will their drive to acquire products boost the global economy? UC San Diego’s Karl Gerth offers a compelling analysis of how China’s embrace of consumerism is changing the world, but not necessarily for the better.

Watch “Do We Want China to be More Like US?” with Karl Gerth.