Genetics Is About You, Me and Our Future

After recent discussions over genetic testing for autism (both prenatal and postnatal), I’m glad to have found this Philadelphia Inquirer editorial by Dr. Arthur Caplan, Emanuel & Robert Hart Professor of Bioethics, chair of the Department of Medical Ethics, and director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania.

The real battle – the battle that will come to occupy the moral center stage of American politics, morality, law, public policy, editorial pages, and water-cooler discussions – will be waged over where genetic engineering ought to take us and whether we are satisfied to leave it to scientists to guide us there.
…..
Sometimes it seems scientists are trying to do shady stuff without caring what anybody thinks. It is easy to let the love of the laboratory blind one to the need to engage one’s fellow citizens in the adventure and drama that is genetics. Few scientists do so. All ought to.

The editorial makes me want to stand up and cheer. You must go read it. RIGHT NOW.

Via Free Association

Technorati Tags: arthur caplan, genetics, genes, genome, genome revolution, disease, health, dna

Comments

By roxanneol52

Here’s is an interesting article about genetics in relation to obesity and diabetes. The article discusses how a single gene that can increases nervous behavior and causes metabolic transformations common to diabetics. May be of interest. http://www.americanbiotechnologist.com/blog/stress-diabetes-obesity/

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2022 days ago

Genetics and Health » Genetics Interview #23: Dr. PZ Myers of Pharyngula
[...] 4. Do you agree with bioethicist Arthur Caplan that genetic technology is going to be the changing force of the 21st century? Why or why not? And what do you think of bioethics anyway? [...]

By Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD

Kristina: Great! Getting people to think is the most important part.

Brad: Thanks! I did see that. Crazy stuff, isn’t it? ;)

By Brad

Hey Hsein,

Did you see this article in the NY Times about using genes to find out about the split between humans and chimps 5-9 million years ago?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/science/18evolve.html?ei=5090&en=0d7c5c787029209e&ex=1305604800&adxnnl=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1148034849-s5Eze7fBZ2JKjEnHr2JkIw

(may require registration)

Anyway, just thought you might be interested.

-Brad

By Kristina

I went, I read, I posted, I’m thinking. Still.