Recently, a series of companies have just released that a full DNA scan providing all the knobs and whistles of genetic counselling and freezing incase of future developments, will now cost a mere $1000. This has been percieved as being the major step of making this sort of process widely available; by making it affordable to the general public.
Not to mention that there are very serious players involved in these companies. The biggest of
these is the company hosting the most used search engine, Google. It seems as if many of these large companies are showing keen interest in such ventures, putting pressure on the opposing authorities, often using monetary force.
"All three companies use DNA chips to read off hundreds of thousands of the most common single-letter variations in people's DNA, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). While this does not provide nearly as much information as sequencing the entire genome, these scans do offer people an unprecedented glimpse of their own genetic blueprint."
Ethical groups have always had a problem with such things, mostly because of the incredible amount of power given to mankind once released. The following video describes how it shouldn't necessarily be left up to scientists to make the decision, but rather the general public:
In the report, a number of willing volunteers participated in the DNA scan. The general outcome wasn't of any real concern at all. One of the subjects stated:
"My highest risk was for restless legs syndrome. I thought it was a joke! " and a few just liked to find out a bit more about there body, but were quite skeptical.
The frightening thing is the way this sort of thing finds a way to quietly 'sneak' into society. The easiest way for these things to slip under the radar are when people neglect to speak up. So, I challenge you all, to consider such things and to possibly re-evaluate current assumptions and take a stand on something. As the future scientists I think it is essential to speak out about such things and not let it to rest.
Lets not let this one slip under the radar.
Kurt Bornhutter. (42054311)
"My highest risk was for restless legs syndrome. I thought it was a joke! " and a few just liked to find out a bit more about there body, but were quite skeptical.
The frightening thing is the way this sort of thing finds a way to quietly 'sneak' into society. The easiest way for these things to slip under the radar are when people neglect to speak up. So, I challenge you all, to consider such things and to possibly re-evaluate current assumptions and take a stand on something. As the future scientists I think it is essential to speak out about such things and not let it to rest.
Lets not let this one slip under the radar.
Kurt Bornhutter. (42054311)
