GRAND RAPIDS (AP) -- Researchers say blood samples collected from every baby born in Michigan since 1987 could contain a wealth of information about genetically linked diseases. State law requires each newborn to receive a poke in the heel to allow a few drops of blood to be squeezed out and tested for certain diseases. The blood samples are placed on cards that are kept for 21½ years before being tossed out. Scientists at the Van Andel Institute and Michigan State University tell The Grand Rapids Press that they want to use the cards research conditions including juvenile diabetes, cerebral palsy, autism, asthma and some cancers. They say studying the cards and taking medical histories of the babies could allow doctors predict which babies born in the future are most likely to develop certain diseases.
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