The year that is rapidly coming to an end brought a number of significant developments to the clinical lab community. Most in our industry were pleased by the Congressional vote this summer that laid to rest the prospect of competitive bidding, which would have presented serious challenges to labs in their quest to provide the best and most timely diagnostics to patients.

Another encouraging note was the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which protects Americans against improper use of their private and personal genetic data. Passage of this act is expected to expedite the development and implementation of genetic and pharmacogenomic tests that aid in the tailoring of treatments and preventive regimens to individuals’ specific needs.

These include assays that will help physicians to fine-tune dosages of pharmaceuticals and to prescribe drugs based upon the specific molecular underpinnings of disease such as the genetic differences among tumors that may resemble one another morphologically. All of us in the industry are looking forward to watching this space as the promise of personalized medicine moves closer to fruition.

Also encouraging is the flurry of FDA approvals and new product releases we’ve had cross our desks in the past couple of weeks. Since December is our annual Buyer’s Guide, we won’t have an opportunity to present these in the magazine until the January 2009 issue. Until then, I’d like to draw your attention to our newly designed Web site. Here you can watch for new product news as well as read and sign up to receive our e-newsletter, CLPrime. Receiving CLPrime on a weekly basis is a great way to stay on top of what’s happening in our industry, and I welcome your feedback on stories that readers believe are important to keeping laboratorians informed. The newsletter has also been revamped this month—please take a look and let us know what you think!

I’m always happy to hear from readers and invite you to contact me any time at or (858) 793-9533. Also, please continue to send news releases to .

Suzanne Clancy, PhD
editor, CLP

(858) 793-9533