Friday 8th October - Genetic screening

“Ten years ago, Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Craig Venter announced the first successful (independent) sequencings of the human genome. Since then, the cost of genetic sequencing has fallen dramatically in a biotechnology equivalent of Moore’s Law. Mapping the first human genome took years and cost $3 billion. Now it takes only 8 days and $10,000. Industry analysts predict that in three years, it will take only 15 minutes and a mere $1000 — comparable to many routine medical tests.” (Source)

It is not difficult to imagine a not-so-distant future in which we will be able to read our genetic endowment like an open book. This raises some questions:

1- Who should know the results of our genetic screening?

a. Should WE know?

b. Should INSURANCE COMPANIES know?

c. Should OTHER PEOPLE (friends, partners, employers) know?

2- What if we discover to have a serious disease, which is very expensive to cure?

a. Can we design insurance mechanisms to avoid super-high premiums?

3- Apart from the health-care aspect, will human relations in the open-DNA era be different from now?

a. Suppose your partner has a better DNA than you

b. Suppose your colleague has the best DNA in the office

c. Suppose your DNA is really ugly...

... what would you do??

A couple of background readings:

“Should you be allowed to know what’s in your DNA?”

“Genetic Testing and Insurance: Why the Fear of ‘Genetic Discrimination’ Does Not Justify Regulation.“

And a nice movie on the subject:

Gattaca