Laboratory News
ASCP in Washington Post Opposing Gene Patents
The Washington Post on March 2 reported on ASCP's opposition to gene patents. "Our first question is, is it good lab practice to have a monopoly?" said ASCP President Mark H. Stoler, MD, FASCP. "The second question is, should genes be patented? Most of us agree the answer is no, genes should not be patented, and there should not be monopolies on lab tests." Access to the article is free, but login may be required.
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UNLV CLS Program Discussed on TV
ASCP is working to save the clinical laboratory science program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, as state budget cuts threaten its existence. Program Director Janice M. Conway-Klaassen, MT(ASCP)SM discusses the potential closure on "Face to Face with Jon Ralston," an NBC-affiliate public affairs program in Las Vegas. Click on Block 4 to see Klaassen's portion of the Feb. 11 segment.
ASCP Letter about Gene Patenting Appears in Boston Globe
ASCP President Mark H. Stoler, MD, FASCP, shares the Society's position opposing gene patents in response to a recent Boston Globe editorial on the subject. Dr. Stoler's letter was printed in the major daily publication and can be viewed here.
ASCP Volunteers Needed for The Joint Commission Lab Accreditation Standards Project
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) seeks volunteers to help the Society provide technical assistance to The Joint Commission Laboratory Accreditation Program in developing the next edition of standards for accreditation. To volunteer, click here to submit your expression of interest by March 15, 2010.
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A Cloudy Future
An experienced cytotech examines how healthcare economics and managed care impact the cytotechnology field. more...
ASCP members speak to ADVANCE about disaster preparedness
ASCP members Irina Lutinger, MPH,MASCP, H(ASCP)DLM,FACHE, and Tom Williams, MD, FASCP speak to ADVANCE about disaster preparedness.
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Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit Challenging Gene Patents Denied
A federal district judge has denied Myriad Genetics’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit opposing patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, whose mutations are associated with an increased hereditary risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
CDC Awards ASCP $5.5 Million for Global Laboratory Outreach
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Institute for Global Outreach has been awarded $5.5 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue the Society’s collaborative work with the agency in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) during 2009-10. more...
ASCP BOR and NCA Form Single Certification Agency
The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (BOR) and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) on July 21, 2009, signed an agreement forming a single certification agency for medical laboratory professionals. The agency will be called the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC). The agreement is effective on Friday, October 23, 2009. At that time, the NCA will be dissolved as a corporation. more...
BOC Volunteer Introduces ASCPi to Japan
Hideo Sakamoto, PhD, a member of the ASCP Board of Certification’s international certification consortium, wrote an article in a recent issue of the Japanese Journal of Clinical Laboratory Instruments and Reagents. In the article, “Introduction of the Medical Technologist Licensure System in the United States of America and ASCPi” Sakamoto summarizes the MT licensure system in the USA and discusses ASCPi. The journal's website can be found here.
Workforce Shortage Making National News
The Wall Street Journal reported on the laboratory workforce shortage and its impact on laboratories’ ability to keep up during the swine flu crisis. Meanwhile, US News and World Report
highlighted career opportunities in the lab in the story, "A Guide to Confusing
(but Promising) Healthcare Jobs."
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Medical Laboratory Scientists wanted
ABC affiliate in Topeka, KS, KTKA-TV reports on the lab workforce shortage: A hospital needs more than just doctors and nurses. Hospitals like Coffey County Hospital are having a tough time finding lab professionals.
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ASCP Joins ACLU Lawsuit Opposing Gene Patents
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) has joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in a lawsuit challenging the legality of patents on human genes—specifically, patents covering the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are associated with breast and ovarian cancer.
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CNN Recognizes “Heroes in Lab Coats”
Noted author and CNN contributor Bob Greene lauds the quiet professionals working in the world’s laboratories. more...