Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Vancouver Week Three: "last but not least"

Given that DNA can be used to predict the likelihood of getting certain diseases, should anybody be entitled to have access to your genetic data? For example life insurance companies already ask health questions and perform blood tests to determine your insurability and would probably find your genetic information very useful. As a further example, your physician maybe able to provide you with better treatment if he or she was able to determine your predispositions for genetic diseases. Would YOU want to know? Share your thoughts.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

BioTrek roxorz my boxorz!!! XD

Anonymous said...

I think that your genetic data should be kept confidential between you and whomever else you wish to disclose it to... similar to conversations with a personal psychologist or lawyer. Your DNA should never have to be mandatorily presented at any time- it should only be used if you consent to it. It is like your family history: it should have nothing to do with a job interview; but if telling your doctor about your genes could potentially save your life, then who wouldn't?

Anonymous said...

I do not think anyone other than the person him/herself should have access to his/her genetic data because it would provide grounds for discrimination based on the PROBABILITY of being susceptible to that disease. In the given example, life insurance companies would not only test your present physical and mental state, but also evaluate a prediction of your future physical and mental state to base your premiums, or acceptance of insurance on. All of this is based on the likelihood, with no guarantee of occurrence.
Personally, I would not want to know how likely I am to succumb to this disease or that disease because it would be too suffocating to know I could die if I did or did not do certain things. Thus, I would rather, excuse the cliché, live like it is the last day of my life than not live at all and be bound by overhanging fears of disease. Like Vincent in ‘Gattaca’, I would rather believe I can only be capable of the things I try than be hindered by never trying because of the likelihood of a disease.

Anonymous said...

The answer to this quiestion is no i wouldnt want to know. i dont want my DNA to determine my life i just want everything to happen naturally for me. There are chances that the information we get could be wrong and i dont want to be worrying about a disease that i dont even have. i just want to live a normal and sucessful life.

Peace.

Anonymous said...

I would certainlylike to know...because there might be a chance of minimizing the probability of that genetic predisposition towards a disease.

Anonymous said...

It is hard to say because it can negatively and positively affect.
If people know what kind of diseases they are going to have, they can prevent and get treated earlier. However, if people find out their future health problems, they can be scared and may not be able to continue their lives like they did before knowing their future.