What should genome mapping means to us?
By Rajesh Khongbantabam *
California's department of public health has decided to make gene scans accessible to anyone over the age of 18.
A gene scan maps a person's genome from a saliva sample and an analysis of the scan can reveal a genetic predisposition to disease. Gene scans can identify 20 health risks, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer.
The use of the scans represents a welcome shift from reactive medicine to a more proactive approach to health care. Information on risk factors can help patients and their physicians take measures to reduce those risks and prevent some forms of disease.
The agencies responsible for conducting gene scans and analyzing the results are also expected to issue guidelines on the use of the information. The lifestyle changes required of clients could include anything from diet alterations to giving up nicotine.
If your gene scan shows you are particularly vulnerable to heart disease, you might think twice before lighting up a cigarette and it could give you the chance to fight off the disease before it has the chance to occur.
The scans could also serve as health alerts, giving individuals the time for course correction. One of the keys to a healthy and happy life is access to information and the ability to act on it. But questions remain as to whether or not being forewarned is a good idea.
Is prior knowledge really that desirable?
Numerous examples show that the threat of disease or death is often not enough to get people to change their habits. Some geneticists have also pointed out that while the scans might reveal a genetic tendency to disease, they might not reveal the presence of another gene to counteract it.
Isn't it better to live life the way you want, instead of worrying about a future disease, which, given the inexact nature of medical science, may not be imminent? There are also ethical issues involved, although right now genome mapping is entirely voluntary.
But what's to stop employers from accessing genome maps in the future and basing decisions on whether or not to hire someone on what they find? You could miss out on a job because of something that may be wrong with you in the distant future.
Insurance agencies could also decide how much to charge for cover based on the results of gene mapping. This practice could lead to a serious breach of privacy in an age when this right is already under fire.
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* Rajesh khongbantabam is a key correspondent of HDN (Health & Development Network, Thailand) and writes about AIDS inflicted and help available for them. He is based at Imphal, Manipur.
This article was webcasted at e-pao.net on 06th July 2009.
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