Outsmart Your Genes
Encyclopedia
In 2010, Penguin published the hardcover book Outsmart Your Genes by Brandon Colby MD
. 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
.
, 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.
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.
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).
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. He believes personalizing medicine with genetic testing is the revolution needed in the healthcare system because the current healthcare model is unsustainable.
Unlike some other geneticists, 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.
Brandon Colby
Brandon Colby, MD, MBA is an American physician, geneticist, entrepreneur and writer on topics of predictive medicine and genetic testing.He's the author of Outsmart Your Genes and the founder and CEO/Medical Director of Existence Genetics, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, California...
. 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
The Doctors (2008 TV series)
The Doctors is an American syndicated talk show airing daily in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Sweden and Finland. It debuted on September 8, 2008. The hour-long daytime program is produced by Phil McGraw and his son Jay McGraw and is distributed domestically and globally by CBS Television...
.
Author
Brandon Colby MDBrandon Colby
Brandon Colby, MD, MBA is an American physician, geneticist, entrepreneur and writer on topics of predictive medicine and genetic testing.He's the author of Outsmart Your Genes and the founder and CEO/Medical Director of Existence Genetics, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, California...
, is an American physician, geneticist and writer on topics of predictive medicine
Predictive medicine
Predictive medicine is a rapidly emerging field of medicine that entails predicting disease and instituting preventive measures in order to either prevent the disease altogether or significantly decrease its impact upon the patient...
and genetic testing.
He’s the founder and CEO/Medical Director of Existence Genetics
Existence Genetics
Existence Genetics is a genetic analysis and genetic reporting company that provides the healthcare industry and health & wellness organizations with access to affordable and easy-to-understand information about their client’s genes...
, 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
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a disorder resulting from mutations in the genes encoding keratin 5 or keratin 14.Blister formation of EBS occurs at the dermoepidermal junction. Sometimes EBS is called epidermolytic.-Subtypes:...
(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.
Colby holds a degree in Genetics from the University of Michigan Honors Program, an MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is an American medical school in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, currently ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the United States. It was chartered by Mount Sinai Hospital in 1963....
, and an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.
Colby is an Affiliate Specialist of the American College of Medical Genetics
American College of Medical Genetics
The American College of Medical Genetics is an organization composed of biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other health care professionals committed to the practice of medical genetics....
(ACMG), an Associate of the American College of Preventive Medicine
American College of Preventive Medicine
Founded in 1954, the American College of Preventive Medicine is a U.S.-based physician organization focused on practice, research, publication, and teaching of evidence-based preventive medicine...
(ACPM), and a member of the American Society of Human Genetics
American Society of Human Genetics
The American Society of Human Genetics , founded in 1948, is the primary professional membership organization for specialists in human genetics worldwide. As of 2009, the organization had approximately 8,000 members...
(ASHG), the American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
(AMA), and the National Society of Genetic Counselors
National Society of Genetic Counselors
The National Society of Genetic Counselors , founded and incorporated in 1979, is the largest association of genetic counselors in the world...
(NSGC).
Contents
In his book, Colby writes about how genetic testing can empower individuals to protect their future health and prevent disease. 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. One example he discusses is avoidance of head injury.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. He believes personalizing medicine with genetic testing is the revolution needed in the healthcare system because the current healthcare model is unsustainable.
Unlike some other geneticists, 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
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
, 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.