Comments on: Living by the Code

By: werewolf.co.nz

werewolf.co.nz — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 06:57:02 +0000

Living by the code.. Not so bad

By: BDB inc

BDB inc — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:05:11 +0000

Commercial genetic testing is a great example of how commercial interest and marketing can powerfully overcome ethics and cultural considerations.
23& me are a deeply troubled company.
The burden on Doctors[ and the mental health system] would increase with en vogue genetic screening while the commercial screening company profits.
Next step is the intended introduction of genetic interventions and pharmaceutical boosting for profit.
It is bad Data as the genome is not understood.
These marketing companies are just exploiting public funded discoveries- same old business of market driven science[greed replacing rational thinking in the equation].
Public picks up the cost of these marketing trends.

By: Colleen Lyons

Colleen Lyons — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:26:31 +0000

As a business bioethicist, I read Dr. McKinney’s wonderful article with great interest. Commercially available genetic testing is a stunning example of how science laps ethics and culture. While we are not prepared for general use of “23&me”-type of test. Consider the burden on doctors and a resource-constrained health system i.e., patients demanding prophylactics for unmanifested illness. There are also disclosure decisions. Example- if a man finds out that he had the gene for some dread disease, is he required to disclose to siblings? spouse? potential spouse? children? boss? These issues will work themselves out legally and politically. From a market standpoint, the mechanisms are working- consumers can play genetic crystal ball. With that freedom and access comes responsibility. If one chooses to go the route of attempting to control the future, than one must bear the consequences. The results in the little kit may be wrong and profound life decisions may be made on bad data. Risky business.

By: Lee Essner

Lee Essner — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:48:06 +0000

Your point about the lack of genetic counseling professionals in New Zealand, as well as the rest of the world, is well taken. We started AccessDNA to make these types of services available to those most in need. Our genetic counselor (and co-founder) summarized our recent partnership to make these services available by phone in her recent blog post here (http://www.accessdna.com/blog/2010/01/accessdna-partners-to-expand-access-to-genetic-counseling/). Also, with regard to your point that if you find out that you are no genetic risk of developing heart disease, you might be tempted to decide not to bother watching your weight, diet or fitness level, she also wrote a nice post about testing as an effective motivator here (http://www.accessdna.com/blog/2009/10/dtc-genetic-testing-as-an-effective-motivator/). Thanks