How to explore Scott Alexander's work and his 1500+ blog posts? This unaffiliated fan website lets you sort and search through the whole codex. Enjoy!

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Mar 06, 2017
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Antidepressant Pharmacogenomics: Much More Than You Wanted To Know

47 min • 6,449 words • 123 comments
Scott Alexander critically examines pharmacogenomic testing for antidepressants, particularly the GeneSight test, expressing skepticism about its current effectiveness and validity. Longer summary
Scott Alexander critically examines the field of pharmacogenomics for antidepressants, particularly focusing on the GeneSight test. He reviews the scientific evidence, discusses potential flaws in studies, and expresses skepticism about the current state and effectiveness of such testing. The post delves into the complexities of antidepressant metabolism, the challenges of predicting drug response, and the limitations of current genetic testing approaches. Shorter summary
Nov 12, 2014
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How To Use 23andMe Irresponsibly

15 min • 1,998 words • 73 comments
Scott Alexander explains how to interpret 23andMe genetic data using SNPedia, listing various SNPs and their alleged effects while emphasizing the unreliability of such interpretations. Longer summary
Scott Alexander humorously explores how to use 23andMe genetic testing data 'irresponsibly' by looking up various SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and their purported effects. He provides instructions on how to access raw genetic data from 23andMe and interpret it using SNPedia. The post then lists several interesting SNPs associated with traits like violence, empathy, anxiety, divorce risk, and longevity. Scott repeatedly emphasizes that these associations are often unreliable, exaggerated, or misinterpreted, and should be taken as entertainment rather than medical advice. Shorter summary
Jun 15, 2014
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Fish – Now By Prescription

16 min • 2,213 words • 90 comments • podcast (16 min)
Scott Alexander examines overpriced medical products like Lovaza and Deplin, arguing they serve a purpose in the medical system, but criticizes exorbitant BRCA gene testing prices as harmful. Longer summary
Scott Alexander discusses two examples of overpriced medical products: Lovaza (fish oil) and Deplin (folate), which are essentially the same as much cheaper supplements. He argues that these products serve a purpose by making these substances 'Official' in the medical system, allowing doctors to prescribe them without fear of liability. The post then examines the case of BRCA gene testing, where a company charges exorbitant prices for a service that could be much cheaper. Scott criticizes this practice, contrasting it with the FDA's ban on 23andMe offering BRCA testing, suggesting potential conflicts of interest. Shorter summary
Jan 19, 2014
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Genetic Testing and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

6 min • 734 words • 31 comments
Scott Alexander critiques a study suggesting knowledge of ApoE4 gene status affects memory performance, arguing the results may be due to priming or stereotype threat rather than actual memory decline. Longer summary
Scott Alexander discusses a study by Lineweaver et al. that tested elderly adults for the ApoE4 gene, a risk factor for Alzheimer's. The study found that subjects who knew they had ApoE4 performed worse on memory tests than those who had it but didn't know. Scott critiques the study's methodology and interpretation, suggesting that the results might be due to priming effects or stereotype threat rather than actual memory decline. He expresses concern that the medical community might overinterpret these results and discourage genetic testing without sufficient evidence of harm. Shorter summary
Nov 26, 2013
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A Letter I Will Probably Send To The FDA

15 min • 2,049 words • 96 comments
Scott Alexander drafts a letter to the FDA arguing against their decision to halt 23andMe's genetic testing services, highlighting the benefits and addressing the FDA's concerns. Longer summary
Scott Alexander writes a letter to the FDA expressing concern about their decision to halt 23andMe's genetic testing services. He argues that personal genomics services like 23andMe provide valuable and affordable genetic information to patients and doctors, raise awareness about genetics, and contribute to genetic research. Scott counters the FDA's concerns about false positives, test validation, and patient self-management, suggesting that these issues are either manageable or apply to many other medical tests and information sources. He urges the FDA to work with 23andMe to ensure their service returns to the market quickly. Shorter summary