Genetic testing - are we headed in the right direction?: Panorama: Rocky Mountain PBS: a1

Denver

38°

Blogs Health Care Tech Talk Green Living National Parks Super School News The 1930s

Facing the Mortgage Crisis
Colorado State of Mind - Budget Cuts to Higher Education
Women in power: what drives them to lead and what holds them back?
Public lands in the media spotlight
Native American Heritage Month
Health Care

Colorado State of Mind: Budget Cuts to Higher Education
Friday at 7:30pm

Masterpiece Contemporary: Collision (Part 2 of 2)
Sunday at 9pm

Nova: Why Do We Dream?
Tuesday at 7pm

True Whispers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talker
Tuesday at 8pm

Movie: Harry and Tonto (1974)
Saturday at 8pm

Genetic testing - are we headed in the right direction?

posted Tuesday, July 7, 2009 8:59am

See more on: Blogs, Health Care, Science

I wonder if we'll ever truly get to the bottom of what triggers diseases such as Alzheimer's and autism. Is it strictly one's genetic makeup, environmental factors, or both?

Part of tonight's "Nova Sciencenow" at 8 explores the latest research on the genetic basis of autism, by a team that pioneered the search for a gene linked to Alzheimer's. (The photo above shows a woman featured in the program and her son, who is autistic.)

Whether or not vaccines or childhood lead poisoning play a role in causing autism, new genetic research is painting a whole new picture.

The implications are enormous. If conclusive evidence of genetic predisposition is found, people could be diagnosed and treated at an earlier stage. Preventive measures could be taken – and medical treatment sought out before symptoms even surface.

What do you think? Should American taxpayers be helping to pay for genetic studies around autism and other widespread health conditions? Or is this a step down a slippery slope toward creating designer children? What are the implications for society?

We already tend to over-diagnose, over-medicate and see the world through hypochondriac eyes. Meanwhile, some critics say these tests are disturbing the natural process and impeding on how we were each born to be.

But if genetic studies allow for greater understanding of these conditions – and ultimately more thorough treatment and prevention – it may be one of the most important things we as a society get behind.

-Elizabeth Mayer, Rocky Mountain PBS

Tune In

Nova Sciencenow
""

Check out rmpbs.org/health for real-life health care stories, blogs and resources.

What's your point of view?

Robert I. Laitres
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 › 3:55pm
Like in any other field, it is never knowledge that is a problem, it is in what cause and for what purpose it is used. In the hands of responsible people it can be very beneficial. In those of the unscrupulous and manipulative it not only can be, but always is destructive. And please, let us stop using such cliches as "slippery sloap" as they are totally meaningless (except perhaps as alarmist terms) and serve no useful purpose whatever. They are the refuge of those who have not the vocabulary or knowledge of subject matter required to intelligently discuss.

Jack S.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 › 4:31pm
As one of those apparently without the vocabulary and knowledge required by Mr. Laitres, I still can't preclude myself from the discussion any more than I could prevent having to deal with the real slippery "sloap" (sic) of genetic testing.

That slope includes those who avail themselves of the relative security offered by screened sperm donors to avoid the "luck of the draw" and perceive an assurance of "better" offspring.

But even with a genetic map there's no assurance of safe arrival. As when driving a well-mapped road route, the variables one can encounter under way are still not shown.

But it's moot because in a society with a health lottery instead of real care the financial consequences of "troubled" progeny almost mandate that we use all means available to narrow the odds.

Judy G
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 › 5:41pm
The ultimate goal for genetic research is to identify causes of disease so that effective treatments can be developed. It is a powerful, unbiased tool if used properly that can contribute to our understanding of disease mechanisms. Therefore, it is important to support genetic research efforts.

Genetics will never replace the impact of creating a healthy enviroment for children to grow in. If we want smart children start by reading to them and teaching them how much fun learning is.

Jill B.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 › 5:47pm
If there is even the slightest chance of prevention or treatment it must be supported.

Jack S.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 › 6:03pm
If the tool is powerful and unbiased, then why did the Supreme Court rule out the right of exoneration two weeks ago by claiming that convicted "felons" had a "fair trial" that precluded the right to DNA testing capable of proving their innocence? If the highest court can deny the right to the use of this "powerful and unbiased tool", doesn't that highest-level decision demonstrate that we already are unprepared to wield this tool fairly?

And while genetics may offer the chance of prevention and/or treatment, the wherewithall to avail one's self of that treatment is still the lynchpin on which the salvation that tool offers, stands. How can we with good conscience support gov. funding for that research until the mechanism for making the results available were affordable for all?

Metoo
Thursday, July 9, 2009 › 10:04am
Genetic testing can certainly be a good thing, but very easily mis-used. If we seek to learn more about our own human functioning in order to correct and treat dysfunction and disabilities (I am thinking here of ALS, etc.) then it can serve a greater good. But, if we use genetic testing only for our own comfort or pleasure (e.g., to avoid raising a Down's syndrome child, or engineering a preference for a blond, blue-eyed child) this self-serving use blunts the imperfect "human-ness" that can bring out the best in community. It is in community that we live. Community suffers when narcissism is empowered.

Jill B.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 › 3:27pm
If we worried about misuse of genetic studies there will never be progress in the health field. Just like the ridiculous dreaded fear people had of stem cell research which is so very important. If we fear everything nothing will be accomplished.

Linda
Thursday, July 9, 2009 › 3:48pm
Concern about misuse of technology is not the same as demanding that research be stopped. It does mean carefully considering who would have access to this new information, monitoring what is done with it and regulating its use. We really need to make sure that insurance companies don't manage to exclude coverage of everything that could possibly be associated with genetic risk.

Jack S.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 › 4:40pm
I am the last to advocate stopping genetic testing, but we already have the misuses and abuses of employer/insurance co. pre-screening as a condition of employment. Do you believe screening as a condition of employment/health insurance is just for drug use?

Add to that the misjudgment of the U.S. Supreme Court in NOT requiring genetic testing for prisoners. America spends millions on mandatory appeals for those sentenced to death -- but won't spend on DNA testing that virtually assures justice.

These ills exist now. So before more institutionalization of genetic testing, mandating the promises it already offers and correcting the abuses I've cited here should be part and parcel of any further enabling of testing and research -- including appropriation of gov. monies for those purpose.

Jill B.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 › 5:47pm
If there is even the slightest chance of prevention or treatment it must be supported.