ARCHIVED: READERS WEIGH IN
THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN ARCHIVED (comments will no longer be posted)
Your thoughts about human genome scans.
From the Los Angeles Times
Diabetes: What you need to know
Popular Topics: Wellness | Women | Men | Family | Fitness | Aging | Health careers
Health A-Z: Allergies | Asthma | Cancer | Dental | Depression | Heart | Obesity | See all
| Advertisement |
|
|
The Latest | news as it happens
- Football: Los Alamitos needs a win tonight - Varsity Times Insider 11/12/2009, 6:35 p.m.
- UCLA football: Stan Hasiak returns to the team - The Fabulous Forum 11/12/2009, 6:27 p.m.
- Two potential buyers closing in on Playboy - Company Town 11/12/2009, 6:20 p.m.
- Federal judge hands L.A. a billboard lawsuit victory - L.A. Now 11/12/2009, 6:20 p.m.
- Fox confirms Emma Watts as production president - Company Town 11/12/2009, 6:19 p.m.
Save more than
Anna, What a great article. I think that we need to really guide this cutting edge testing to maximally benefit the patient. We can do that and are doing that as we speak. Our personalized genomic medicine practice in NYC sees many patients who have had these scans. The offer is open to all your readers and to you.... -Steve www.helixhealth.org
Steven Murphy MD @ 4:25 PM PDT, Apr 17, 2008
I disagree with EM's comment. Why shouldn't I know? Also, you want doctors to do the "educating"? They don't even have time to remember your name! I think the author's chances of getting Alzheimers might actually be higher. If you take the fact that the mutation is present AND that there is a family history of Alzheimers then the odds are probably even higher. The question is, is it better to know. I think yes. It's just like ANYTHING ELSE. Some people are motivated by a heart attack to completely change their lives, others are temporily motivated to change, while still others aren't motivated to change at all....
Bio Bud @ 12:16 PM PDT, Apr 17, 2008
In reference to the article on DNA in 4/14/08 LA Times, one aspect was not mentioned. What if you are adopted and can't fill in that questionnaire on your family health background? As an adoptee, it's just frustrating to not be able to help me help my doctor. My son-in-law is also adopted and doesn't want to do any research--which makes any of their children to be uninformed about their genetic tendencies with 3 out of 4 unknown family histories.
Starr C. Johnson @ 10:58 AM PDT, Apr 15, 2008
I disagree with the availability of this kind of information to the public. Some people are highly uneducated about this topic and as it was mentioned in the article, they may misunderstand what this information really means. Genome scans should only be performed when a physician may be guided or helped from the information retrieved in order to better care for his/her patients.
EM @ 9:06 AM PDT, Apr 15, 2008
Almost daily we hear of "mistakes" made by scientist, doctors, etc. One study says something is unhealthy..another says something is good for you. The greatest thing to fear is "fear" itself. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. I choose to live each day without fear. I believe that will be much "healthier" and if disease comes at least I will not have suffered the dis ease every day of my life!
Sherri @ 8:59 PM PDT, Apr 14, 2008
As an adoptee in 1953, I had no family health history to guide me. So my Chihuahua insisted I put the $1,000 on a Visa card and send my saliva to 23andMe as a Christmas present from her. It is awesome. I now have clues as to what health issues might be ahead for me in life. 23andMe regularly updates their website with new research findings and they will continue to assess how my genetics relate to those findings for the rest of my life. By knowing my genes show a propensity to develop certain diseases, I am able to then begin doing everything I can to prevent or at least lessen the effect. I'm really glad this is now available.
Deborah Flanagan @ 11:28 AM PDT, Apr 14, 2008
Doesn't all this assume that an offspring will live in the same environment and eat the same kind of diet that the parent who came down with the disease had? And won't private sector health insurance companies use this as grounds to deny coverage of certain conditions because of potential genetic pre-existing conditions? All the more reason for single-payor, government provided health insurance.
David Dunn @ 11:14 AM PDT, Apr 14, 2008
Every day, badly written science-news touts some heath finding. The eagerly embraced misinformation is the next fad. Learning to evaluate scientific research is especially necessary for reporters who disseminate information to the public. The author has a 71% chance of NOT getting Alzheimers. These percentage of her risk was based on an average; the number of samples were used to derive it may be insufficient and/or insignificant. Yes Anna, "sit back and chill" instead of getting worked up about that "user-friendly" orange warning on your web browser.
Charles White @ 2:58 PM PDT, Apr 13, 2008
The critics are correct. These tests are NOT regulated by the FDA, as most clinical diagnostic testing is. Caveat emptor. The money would be better spent on a gym membership and a good supply of sunscreen.
San Diego @ 3:47 PM PDT, Apr 12, 2008
The genomic industry has been around a long time: hidden in huge subterranean facilities the Mtns. of So. Oregon.
A Scanner Darkly @ 1:41 PM PDT, Apr 12, 2008
Next