Thursday, April 10, 2008
Would you get your genes tested?
After yesterdays lecture about gene sequencing available to the public through services like 23andme.com, I'm interested to know if members of our class would ever consider having this done? Personally, I wouldn't, for the simple reason that I'm already highly neurotic as it is--having any knowledge that I was at an increased risk for developing any type of disease on the basis of genetic analysis would not fair well (regardless of the point that the guest lecturer brought up about how "increased risk" could mean the difference between being 2% at risk versus 1%, a seemingly minuscule number).
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6 comments:
I would not have my genes tested. The only exception is if I choose to have children with a man who knew a disease like cystic fibrosis runs in his family. I know there is a high rate of heart disease and skin cancer in my family; I don't need a genetic test to tell me that, only a family tree!
The question shouldn't be "would you get your genome read" but more so "what would you do after you had your genome read?" As the author of this posted mentioned, most people would probably freak out over the information (probably due to a lack in genetics knowledge) and spend the first few weeks paranoid. But what happens afterwards? Would you really go right out and change your lifestyle 180ยบ if that was recommended?
After this lecture on Wednesday I actually thought about this exact question all day. Would I want to know? What would I do if I knew I was susceptible for some genetic disease? I finally realized that it would be better not to have my genome read because that information, even if bad or good, would affect the way I live my life afterwards. And who wants that? Life, no matter what happens, should always be a surprise!
I will definitely never have my genes tested for diseases I might be prone to get in the future. I would rather not have to worry about these diseases if I don't have to worry about them. Some of the future diseases that these gene testings could discover in my system include Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and, many different cancers. I would rather not find out one of these excruciatingly debilitating diseases that would ruin not only me but also my family members for years could be my cause of death. I would rather go after diseases after I know they exist. In my opinion, regular check-ups to my physician (more so as I grow older) will help do more for these diseases than these genetic tests. Many times, there is little that can be done for these diseases to prevent them from being fatal anyway. Why would I want to know that I will eventually develop a disease that will kill me no matter what!?
I would consider having my genes tested. However, there is absolutely no way that I am shelling out a thousand bucks to have it done. I do appreciate the fact that having this testing could alert me to the potential development of certain diseases. At the same time, if it is a disease like Alzheimer’s, would I even want to know? Would I want to admit that I had just spent a few hundred (or thousand) dollars just to find out that I could develop a disease with no cure? I cannot believe people are paying exorbitant prices for what we learned in class may not even be completely accurate.
I guess I’m going to go against the trend and say that as a general statement, I would have my genome read. HOWEVER, as mentioned in our discussion, I, like Watson, would probably not want to know about those implications that I would be unable to have an effect on. If, however, I am at risk for certain diseases which I can alter through behavioral or preventative medicines, I would indeed like to know that there is an active difference I can make in my future health.
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