Blame Game (band) and Predictive medicine

Blame Game, an American band from Atlanta, Georgia, was formed in 1999 by drummer Alex Lambert (formerly of Heretical Response), guitarist Ian Deaton, and bass player Matt McCalvin.

Contents 1 History 2 Discography 3 Current projects 4 References 5 External links

History

Blame Game's initial work is comparable to other bands of the hardcore punk genre, such as Rorschach, His Hero Is Gone, Angel Hair, and Assfactor 4. In 1999, shortly after their forming, Matt McCalvin decided to switch to second guitar, and Chris Ware was brought in on bass. The band played its first official show in 1999 under the name Blame Game (they had performed several times before this under different names) at the Prison Issues Fest, which was organized by Chris Ware at the Under the Couch venue on the Georgia Tech campus.

Blame Game then recorded their self-titled demo (recorded on ADAT by Alex Lambert) and it was released on cassette in a limited run of 100 copies. The tape was packaged in a brown paper lunch bag, and it was covered with a sticker of a photograph by artist Kim Hoeckle. Throughout 2000, the band played many shows in and around the south. In 2001 the band went on a mini-tour with Countdown to Putsch in Florida and Georgia. Following the tour, Blame Game recorded 9 songs at the C-11 warehouse with Brooks Meeks (of the Atlanta band The Close). The 9 songs were put on a tour cd-r, and 4 of these tracks were released as a self-titled seven-inch by both Ex-Space Six and Stickfigure Records. 500 of these were printed, and almost every cover was different due to the covers being divided 125 per member of the band and then hand made.

Following these initial recordings, Blame Game played small tours and local shows between 2001–2002. Between this time the band began to draw a larger influence from avant-garde performers and bands, such as Captain Beefheart and U.S. Maple, as well as from free jazz performers like Peter Brotzman, Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler, shifting the band's sound from hardcore punk, to a more wiry, spastic and “improv” oriented sound. In 2002, the band performed on the WREK radio show Live at WREK, playing 12 songs (many of which displayed their newer style) and followed it with a second set which was entirely improvised. In January 2003, the band self released the Blame Game Trio cd-r, which was recorded by Alex Lambert, and contained entirely improvised material. Later that same year, the band recorded 8 songs at The Living Room Studio (formerly Red Lab Studios) in Atlanta, Ga with recording engineer Ed Rawls. These 8 songs where released on the b-side of a split LP (released by Adagio 830/660 Productions in Europe and Crab Apocalypse in the U.S.) with the German band Zann. Blame Game toured Europe for 3 weeks and the U.S. for 2½ weeks with Zann to support this release.

In late 2003 the band recorded 6 new songs, which would top off a 77-minute 27-track cd anthology released by Stickfigure Records. Guitarist Matt McCalvin left the band in December 2003 over musical differences, turning his focus to his new band, Gongfodder. McCalvin would later join the band A-Fir-Ju-Well (now named Gringo Star). George Asimakos (formerly of Camaro Crotch) was brought in to play second guitar after Matt’s departure. Blame Game attempted to do a 6-week U.S. tour in the summer of 2004 after writing new material with Asimakos, but only played a handful of these shows due to vehicle malfunction.

In the winter of 2004, the band completed the writing of the Honey and Salt full length, and embarked on an East Coast tour. In January 2005 guitarist Ian Deaton left the band due to personal conflicts and went on to form the band God’s America (2005–2006). Reduced to a three-piece outfit, Blame Game then recorded their first official full length entitled “Honey and Salt” in February 2005 at Zero Return Studios, and it was released by Stickfigure Records on cd and ABC Group Documentation on LP (which contained less tracks due to time constraints). They soon embarked on one US tour, during spring break of 2005, accompanied by their friend Andrew Wiggins. This found them playing shows with Des Ark and Del Cielo. Immediately afterwards, Wiggins was recruited as second guitarist, returning the lineup to include four members. With the full length out, the band embarked on several east coast and midwest tours including a stint opening for Do Make Say Think

In late 2005/early 2006 the band finished writing new material, which would be recorded at Zero Return Studios in February 2006. This album was released on LP July 2006 (it contained a CD-R of the album inside the packaging) by Stickfigure Records and Ursa Minor Musik. The CD contained 3 songs by Blame Game, and one soundscape by Magicicada (composed of sounds recorded by Blame Game during practice) totalling around 30 minutes of play. In the summer 2006 the band went on a large US tour with Finnish band Echo Is Your Love. Following this tour, drummer Alex Lambert decided to move to New York City, putting the band on an indefinite hiatus. Blame Game played their last known show on January 25, 2007 at the Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta, Ga.

The following was left on their website immediately following their last show: January 26, 2007 - We played our last show for quite some time last night. Thanks to all who were a part of it. We are officially on indefinite hiatus. We haven't ruled out playing again but logistically it's not easy anymore with members living in different cities. Still if you have a show or tour opportunity, let us know. We'll consider everything. Discography S/T Demo

(Recorded 1999 by Alex Lambert, 100 copies made, self released, out of print. Cover art by Kim Hoeckle, inserts and booklets by Blame Game) S/T 7 Inch

(Recorded 2001 by Brooks Meeks, 500 copies made on clear vinyl, released by Stickfigure Records and Ex-Space Six Records, out of print, Cover Art and inserts by Blame Game) Split 12” w/ Zann

(Recorded 2003 by Ed Rawls at The Living Room, released July 2003 by Adagio 830 in Europe and Crab Apocalypse in the U.S. Cover Art and US label art by Matt McCalvin, inserts by Ian Deaton and Zann, Europe label art by Zann) Blame Game Anthology Vol 1.

(Tracks 1-14 recorded by Ed Rawls at the living room, tracks 15-23 recorded by Brooks Meeks, tracks 24-27 recorded by Alex Lambert) released by Stickfigure Records in 2004. Art by Hope Hilton) Honey and Salt

(recorded February 2005 at Zero Return with Jim Marrer, released by Stickfigure on CD and ABC Group Documentation on LP (LP version is shorter due to vinyl constraints) Art by Hope Hilton) Ask Someone LP

(recorded February 2006 at Zero Return with Jim Marrer, released by Stickfigure and Ursa Minor Musik on LP, Art By Hope Hilton) Current projects Matt McCalvin: The Mermaids, Zoners Alex Lambert: Multitudes, Shadow Maps Chris Ware: Thy Mighty Contract George Asimakos: King Congregation Andrew Wiggins: Hawks, Wymyns Prysyn Ian Deaton: Transvestite, Jewish Supremacy

Predictive medicine and Blame Game (band)

Predictive medicine is a field of medicine that entails predicting the probability of disease and instituting preventive measures in order to either prevent the disease altogether or significantly decrease its impact upon the patient (such as by preventing mortality or limiting morbidity). While different prediction methodologies exist, such as genomics, proteomics, and cytomics, the most fundamental way to predict future disease is based on genetics. Although proteomics and cytomics allow for the early detection of disease, much of the time those detect biological markers that exist because a disease process has already started. However, comprehensive genetic testing (such as through the use of DNA arrays or full genome sequencing) allows for the estimation of disease risk years to decades before any disease even exists, or even whether a healthy fetus is at higher risk for developing a disease in adolescence or adulthood. Individuals who are more susceptible to disease in the future can be offered lifestyle advice or medication with the aim of preventing the predicted illness. Current genetic testing guidelines supported by the health care professionals discourage purely predictive genetic testing of minors until they are competent to understand the relevancy of genetic screening so as to allow them to participate in the decision about whether or not it is appropriate for them. Genetic screening of newborns and children in the field of predictive medicine is deemed appropriate if there is a compelling clinical reason to do so, such as the availability of prevention or treatment as a child that would prevent future disease.

Contents 1 The Goal 2 Examples of Predictive Medicine 3 Health Benefits 3.1 Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing 4 Limitations of Predictive Medicine 5 Ethics and Law 6 Further reading 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

The Goal

The goal of predictive medicine is to predict the probability of future disease so that health care professionals and the patient themselves can be proactive in instituting lifestyle modifications and increased physician surveillance, such as bi-annual full body skin exams by a dermatologist or internist if their patient is found to have an increased risk of melanoma, an EKG and cardiology examination by a cardiologist if a patient is found to be at increased risk for a cardiac arrhythmia or alternating MRIs or mammograms every six months if a patient is found to be at increased risk for breast cancer. Predictive medicine is intended for both healthy individuals ("predictive health") and for those with diseases ("predictive medicine"), its purpose being to predict susceptibility to a particular disease and to predict progression and treatment response for a given disease.

A number of association studies have been published in scientific literature that show associations between specific genetic variants in a person's genetic code and a specific disease. Association and correlation studies have found that a female individual with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene has a 65% cumulative risk of breast cancer. Additionally, new tests from Genetic Technologies LTD and Phenogen Sciences Inc. comparing non-coding DNA to a woman's lifetime exposure to estrogen can now determine a woman's probability of developing estrogen positive breast cancer also known as sporadic breast cancer (the most prevalent form of breast cancer). Genetic variants in the Factor V gene is associated with an increased tendency to form blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVTs). Genetics tests are expected to reach the market more quickly than new medicines. Myriad Genetics is already generating revenue from genetic tests for BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Aside from genetic testing, predictive medicine utilizes a wide variety of tools to predict health and disease, including assessments of exercise, nutrition, spirituality, quality of life, and so on. This integrative approach was adopted when Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology partnered to launch the Predictive Health Institute. Predictive medicine changes the paradigm of medicine from being reactive to being proactive and has the potential to significantly extend the duration of health and to decrease the incidence, prevalence and cost of diseases. Examples of Predictive Medicine

Available types of predictive medicine through health care professionals include: Newborn screening: Newborn screening is conducted just after birth to identify genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. This testing of infants for certain disorders is one of the most widespread uses of genetic screening - all US states currently test infants for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism. US state law mandates collecting a sample by pricking the heel of a newborn baby to obtain enough blood to fill a few circles on filter paper labeled with names of infant, parent, hospital, and primary physician. Predictive Risk Testing: Testing that is conducted to determine the probability of developing a specific disease not the presence of the disease. It is often used to determine if an individual is at higher than average or lower than average risk of developing a disease over a given period of time. An example is the predictive risk test for breast cancer which looks at a woman's genetic factors and her life time exposure to estrogen to determine her personal probability of developing breast cancer over five years and over her lifetime. Diagnostic testing: Diagnostic testing is conducted to aid in the specificity diagnosis or detection of a disease. It is often used to confirm a particular diagnosis when a certain condition is suspected based on the subject's mutations and physical symptoms. The diversity in diagnostic testing ranges from common consulting room tests such as measuring blood pressure and urine tests to more invasive protocols such as biopsies. Medical bioinformatics: Medical bioinformatics would involve determining individual cell molecular parameters by cytomics and single cell-based microarrays. Efficiently extracting relevant predictive medicine parameters is still in the research stage. This information would be extracted by computer-assisted identification and characterization of a few cell populations or gene clusters of interest. Prenatal testing: Prenatal testing is used to look for diseases and conditions in a fetus or embryo before it is born. This type of testing is offered for couples who have an increased risk of having a baby with a genetic or chromosomal disorder. Screening can determine the sex of the fetus. Prenatal testing can help a couple decide whether to abort the pregnancy. Like diagnostic testing, prenatal testing can be noninvasive or invasive. Non-invasive techniques include examinations of the woman's womb through ultrasonography or maternal serum screens. These non-invasive techniques can evaluate risk of a condition, but cannot determine with certainty if the fetus has a condition. More invasive prenatal methods are slightly more risky for the fetus and involve needles or probes being inserted into the placenta or chorionic villus sampling. Carrier testing: Carrier testing is done to identify people who carry one copy of a gene mutation that, when present in both copies, causes a genetic disorder. This type of testing is offered to individuals who have genetic disorder in their family history or to people in ethnic groups with increased risk of certain genetic diseases. If both parents are tested, carrier testing can provide information about a couple's risk of having a child with a genetic disorder. Preconception testing: Preconception testing is conducted on a person or two potential parents before a child is even conceived. This allows prospective parents to understand the risk of diseases and likelihood of traits in their future offspring. Companies have already started to apply preconception testing through sperm banks and egg donation services. A company called Existence Genetics announced in 2010 that it has invented a new patent-pending preconception testing technology that they call the Pythia Approach (it's scientific name is Offspring Projections Through the Combined Analysis of Different Individuals, or OP-CADI) that uses a computer system to combine the genetic makeup of two potential parents in-order to predict the risk of a large number of common and rare diseases, as well as the likelihood of specific traits, in future offspring if those two potential parents were to have a child. Health Benefits

The future of medicine's focus may potentially shift from treating existing diseases, typically late in their progression, to preventing disease before it sets in. Predictive health and predictive medicine is based on probabilities: while it evaluates susceptibility to diseases, it is not able to predict with 100% certainty that a specific disease will occur. Unlike many preventive interventions that are directed at groups (e.g., immunization programs), predictive medicine is conducted on an individualized basis. For example, glaucoma is a monogenic disease whose early detection can allow to prevent permanent loss of vision. Predictive medicine is expected to be most effective when applied to polygenic multifactorial disease that are prevalent in industrialized countries, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. With careful usage, predictive medicine methods such as genetic screens can help diagnose inherited genetic disease caused by problems with a single gene (such as cystic fibrosis) and help early treatment. Some forms of cancer and heart disease are inherited as single-gene diseases and some people in these high-risk families may also benefit from access to genetic tests. As more and more genes associated with increased susceptibility to certain diseases are reported, predictive medicine becomes more useful. Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Main article: Genetic testing

Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) genetic testing enables a consumer to screen his or her own genes without having to go though a health care professional. They can be ordered without the permission of a physician. Variety in DTC tests range from those testing for mutations associated with cystic fibrosis to breast cancer
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