DNA

[Captivator#6]

Someone had to bring up the topic...so...

What do you think about the new dna findings and their implecations?

I feel slightly divided on the issue. I believe that if the new findings will be used for what everyone says they will be used for..then I am happy for people suffering from diseases that may be cured because of this discovery.

However, humans rarely do what they say they will do...and I think privacy will and must be a major concern for everyone. I heard on the today show that there has already been legislation introduced to prevent gene discrimination! Like we here in America need anymore people to discriminate against.

Sorry for the long post...I am looking forward to seeing the opinions of the intellegent people that read/write to this board.

much ivy luv

C6

[This message has been edited by Captivator#6 (edited June 27, 2000).]

[Serenity]

Captivator#6,

I too saw the "Today" show and I must say that I am leery about this genome project. Can you imagine discrimination on a whole new level? What impact will this have on health or life insurance decades from now? Shoot, you think people have problems now getting insurance with "pre-existing conditions"? Hmmmm.....

All I have been thinking about since this scientific "breakthrough" is the movie "Gattaca". Call me paranoid....

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Sincerity, Loyalty, Unity
Sigma Lambda Upsilon: Hasta La Muerte!

[This message has been edited by Serenity (edited June 27, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Serenity (edited June 27, 2000).]

[Captivator#6]

We must have been on the same mental wavelength.....this whole breakthrough had me thinking about that same movie! I am sorry but you know the saying...."art imitates life" oh well off the soapbox now...


much ivy luv
C6

[This message has been edited by Captivator#6 (edited June 27, 2000).]

[PositivelyAKA]

sorors can someone elaborate on the DNA topic at hand, i havn't heard anything about it. i would like to know what they are up to. thanks.

[tickledpink]

I haven't heard anything about it either. Does anyone remember the movie with Uma Thurman (was it "Gatlinburg" ?) where they used genetic testing to predict people's chances for contracting diseases, but they also determined if the child would be a success in life? Hopefully, this is nothing like that.

[Serenity]

Tickledpick,

In essence, scientists have now broken the code for human DNA. They now are able to identify all 3.1 billion biochemical "letters" of human DNA. Or, as Time magazine puts it: "..the coded instructions for building and operating a fully functional human." (July 3, 2000)

The movie you are referring to with Uma Thurman is in fact "Gattaca".


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Sincerity, Loyalty, Unity
Sigma Lambda Upsilon: Hasta La Muerte!

[tickledpink]

Thanks Serenity, I've seen the movie a million times, but could not remember it's name for the life of me. I'll make sure to get the article from Time.

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>>>"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised... Proverbs 31:29-30

[Stunning Jade]

I am concerned too. Like you said C#6 humans rarely keep their word! As a future Doctor I think it would be great if we would use these new findings to help folks. My concern is that the next thing Scientists are going to do is clone the "perfect" humans. When are we going to realize that we aren't God? First the sheep and then a pig - I think. Heaven help us!


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We will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of your friends. - Martin L. King Jr.

[tickledpink]

I read the article. Supposedly, this breakthrough is going to be used to "start teasing out the secrets of human health and disease at the molecular level--secrets that will lead at the very least to a revolution in diagnosing and treating everything from Alzheimer's to heart disease to cancer, and more." (Time magazine). However, I'm curious as to how scientists plan on correcting or treating the breakdown once they find it.

As far as security goes, I would hope that extracting someone's personal genetic information would be initiated by a Dr.'s visit pertaining to complications that someone may be experiencing and that one would have to sign a form giving permission. There would be alot of controversy if this is presented as a practice at birth.

While the disease treatment side sounds exciting (I have a parent with Alzheimer's), I'm looking at the discriminitory implications also. And as for cloning, who is to say what will happen once we start to dabble and change codings in the DNA design to prevent diseases? Perhaps once we attempt to correct one problem, we could create a whole new unseen problem.

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>>>"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised... Proverbs 31:29-30



[This message has been edited by tickledpink (edited June 29, 2000).]

[Eclipse]

As with almost anything, the potential for good is there as is the potential for evil. What most people don't realize however, is that if you use an employee sponsored healthcare to visit the doctor in a lot of situation those records are NOT private. Your employer has the right to look at them. Of course if they then discriminated against you because of some protected class (some disability protected by ADA for example) you could sue, but suing is not the easiest thing to do.