Dr. James Weber believed that many diseases could be prevented through genetic testing. In 2004 he founded Marshfield-based Prevention Genetics to make his belief a reality.
“Genetic testing should enhance the quality of clinical care for the patient,” said Weber.
After graduating with a B.S. in chemistry from UW-Madison, Weber earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from UC-Berkeley. In 1986, he joined the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation to serve as senior research scientist, director of the Center for Medical Genetics and director of the National Institutes of Health-funded Mammalian Genotyping Service. He was a major contributor to the Human Genome Project and advanced the field through the creation of the Marshfield Maps of the human genome.
Today, Prevention Genetics offers low-cost clinical DNA testing on more than 1,000 genes for physicians, genetic counselors and health care professionals; it also offers DNA banking services.
Tests are available for a wide array of diagnoses, from epilepsy to anemia, and many forms of cancer.
The company serves health care providers from around the globe, with samples being sent for testing from more than 65 countries.
According to Weber, Prevention Genetics is committed to doing its part to lower health care costs across the country, and maintains some of the lowest cost for genetic testing in the industry, while remaining focused on quality. Each available test is listed on the company’s website, along with its associated cost.
