IBM supports genetic anti-discrimination bill
I know it seems like I keep coming back to this topic and the fact is that's true. Not only is it a huge story within the field of genetics it is becoming one of the largest news stories of the national stage. The story was taken to another level when IBM became the first major corporation to endorse the genetic anti-discrimination bill. The fact that IBM is now backing may get the ball rolling to give this bill the strength it needs to get through congress.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Could Lewis Black Be Right?
Eating According to Your Genome
When you think about it, it makes sense that since everyone has their own given genome they would also have a diet that would perfectly compliment that genome. When I first read this article I thought about a bit by comedian Lewis Black that I absolutely love. On his album Rules of Enragement he talks about a New York City man and his diet. Here's a portion of the bit:
"...there was a gentleman living in New York City a few years ago who was 115. He was the oldest man living in New York and he was doing quite well,he lived on his own, got around with no trouble and could deal with anything that came his way. People asked him of course, 'what is your diet, what are you eating?' He'd narrowed his diet down, from the ages of 90 to 115 his diet consisted mostly of three gallons of Thunderbird Wine a week and bread fried in fatback. When they asked him, 'why don't you fry your bread in bacon?' He said, "bacon's too lean." Here's a man who knew exactly what his body needed and he lived a rich, full life on what one would think is f****** rocket fuel. And if he'd gone to a doctor, that doctor would have been, 'what the f*** is the matter with you?! You're out of control! You know what!? You're going to have to start eating vegetables!' And he would have, and he'd have been dead in a week."
Now I know how absurd that story is and it has only a very little to do with this article but he makes the point that everyone has their own special diet, no matter how odd it may be.
When you think about it, it makes sense that since everyone has their own given genome they would also have a diet that would perfectly compliment that genome. When I first read this article I thought about a bit by comedian Lewis Black that I absolutely love. On his album Rules of Enragement he talks about a New York City man and his diet. Here's a portion of the bit:
"...there was a gentleman living in New York City a few years ago who was 115. He was the oldest man living in New York and he was doing quite well,he lived on his own, got around with no trouble and could deal with anything that came his way. People asked him of course, 'what is your diet, what are you eating?' He'd narrowed his diet down, from the ages of 90 to 115 his diet consisted mostly of three gallons of Thunderbird Wine a week and bread fried in fatback. When they asked him, 'why don't you fry your bread in bacon?' He said, "bacon's too lean." Here's a man who knew exactly what his body needed and he lived a rich, full life on what one would think is f****** rocket fuel. And if he'd gone to a doctor, that doctor would have been, 'what the f*** is the matter with you?! You're out of control! You know what!? You're going to have to start eating vegetables!' And he would have, and he'd have been dead in a week."
Now I know how absurd that story is and it has only a very little to do with this article but he makes the point that everyone has their own special diet, no matter how odd it may be.
The 'Evil' Side of Genetics
Young people who died suddenly and inexplicably had genetic heart defects
When we think of genetic defects we think of the ones that are outwardly obvious like Downs Syndrome, or the ones that can be discovered before death and be treated like Juvenile Diabetes. We, for the most part, however, do not think of something that could sneak up on us without obvious symptoms or signs, especially at the age of 14. To know that something like that could sneak up on any one of us is a scary thought.
When we think of genetic defects we think of the ones that are outwardly obvious like Downs Syndrome, or the ones that can be discovered before death and be treated like Juvenile Diabetes. We, for the most part, however, do not think of something that could sneak up on us without obvious symptoms or signs, especially at the age of 14. To know that something like that could sneak up on any one of us is a scary thought.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Ultimate Nature vs. Nurture Debate
Genetic clues in shades of pink and blue
In the debate over whether homosexuality is a choice or something that is encoded in our genes it seems to be that genetics is winning.
In the debate over whether homosexuality is a choice or something that is encoded in our genes it seems to be that genetics is winning.
Gene-Testing Laws May Become a Reality
Gene-test law is more likely
In a follow-up to my post yesterday about genetic profiling, news comes out of Washington D.C. today revealing that under the new congress laws against discrimination based on genetic tests may be just around the corner. I do have to say that as much as a despise the idea of genetic profiling I do understand the arguments behind it, the main one being it will save insurance companies/employers money, and yes it almost certainly would. From a moral and social standpoint however, this type of discrimination is no different than racial profiling or gender profiling. You should not be allowed to judge someone based on a characteristic they had no choice over.
In a follow-up to my post yesterday about genetic profiling, news comes out of Washington D.C. today revealing that under the new congress laws against discrimination based on genetic tests may be just around the corner. I do have to say that as much as a despise the idea of genetic profiling I do understand the arguments behind it, the main one being it will save insurance companies/employers money, and yes it almost certainly would. From a moral and social standpoint however, this type of discrimination is no different than racial profiling or gender profiling. You should not be allowed to judge someone based on a characteristic they had no choice over.
The Diversity of Naming Genes
What gene names do -- and don't -- tell us
When we spoke about naming genes in class, I for one didn't realize how diverse and for that matter odd the art, I use that term loosely, of naming genes really was. I don't really have anything to say about this article, I just think it's hilarious and actually quite interesting and definitely worth a quick read. Enjoy!
When we spoke about naming genes in class, I for one didn't realize how diverse and for that matter odd the art, I use that term loosely, of naming genes really was. I don't really have anything to say about this article, I just think it's hilarious and actually quite interesting and definitely worth a quick read. Enjoy!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Genetic Tests Can Harm as Well as Help
Genetic tests may bring hope, inspire fear
There are so many ways that genetic testing has helped us as a society and as a race, we can cure new diseases and dectect many others before they show any outward symptoms. However, in a day and age where a DNA test can be obtained without the subject's knowledge and at very low costs there is growing fear that a new kind of profiling will emerge, genetic profiling. The fact that this is a real threat can be very disconcerting. Should health insurance companies be allowed to screen applicants and deny them coverage if they are genetically disposed to cancer or heart disease? Should an employer be allowed to screen potential employees and hire them or deny them employment based on their genetic disposition to intelligence or health problems? These are the questions we all need to ask ourselves as we take steps forward with this new science.
There are so many ways that genetic testing has helped us as a society and as a race, we can cure new diseases and dectect many others before they show any outward symptoms. However, in a day and age where a DNA test can be obtained without the subject's knowledge and at very low costs there is growing fear that a new kind of profiling will emerge, genetic profiling. The fact that this is a real threat can be very disconcerting. Should health insurance companies be allowed to screen applicants and deny them coverage if they are genetically disposed to cancer or heart disease? Should an employer be allowed to screen potential employees and hire them or deny them employment based on their genetic disposition to intelligence or health problems? These are the questions we all need to ask ourselves as we take steps forward with this new science.
New Advancements in Breast Cancer Research
McGill breast-cancer breakthrough
As we discuss gene mutations in lecture and how they can effect our lives, news comes out of McGill University in Montreal that scientists have found a gene that is defective in 2 out of 5 breast cancer patients. Breakthroughs like this are exciting because it means we are one step closer to curing this disease. According to the American Cancer Society it is estimated that over 41,000 people died of breast cancer in the United States in 2006 and that more than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2006. If this research proves to be true in humans and 80,000 of those new cases do have the defective gene, thousands of lives can be given a new lease on life.
As we discuss gene mutations in lecture and how they can effect our lives, news comes out of McGill University in Montreal that scientists have found a gene that is defective in 2 out of 5 breast cancer patients. Breakthroughs like this are exciting because it means we are one step closer to curing this disease. According to the American Cancer Society it is estimated that over 41,000 people died of breast cancer in the United States in 2006 and that more than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2006. If this research proves to be true in humans and 80,000 of those new cases do have the defective gene, thousands of lives can be given a new lease on life.
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