Science and Society
The Latest Developments in Science and Technology
Ned Potter is the science correspondent for ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson." He has reported on such topics as space exploration, the human genome and climate change.
RECENT POSTS
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Would You Want to Know?
September 19, 2008 2:00 PM
Sergey Brin, the Google co-founder, says that when he had his genome tested for predisposition to various diseases, he "viewed it mostly as entertainment." His wife, Anne Wojcicki, started a company, 23andMe, which does the testing.
Mr. Brin says he learned something important. On a BLOG he quietly started, he reveals that he is at increased risk for Parkinson's Disease. His mother suffers from it, and he says he has donated money to the Parkinson's Institute, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and other organizations.
Genetic testing has been controversial -- like many new fields, it's confusing to consumers, government and doctors. "You find some that are way out there, doing sort of the modern version of genetic snake oil," said Dr. Francis Collins, who headed the Human Genome Project, in an interview with us.
It may also tell you more than you bargained for -- and can't do anything about. Would you want to know if you're at increased risk for Huntington's or Alzheimer's? When such testing began, there weren't many takers.
Mr. Brin takes an opposite view. "I know early in my life something I am substantially predisposed to. I now have the opportunity to adjust my life to reduce those odds (e.g. there is evidence that exercise may be protective against Parkinson's)," he writes.
He concludes, "I feel fortunate to be in this position. Until the fountain of youth is discovered, all of us will have some conditions in our old age only we don't know what they will be. I have a better guess than almost anyone else for what ills may be mine -- and I have decades to prepare for it."
By the way, The New Yorker has a short piece about a "Spit Party" for 23andMe, where various prominent friends of the Brins gave saliva samples for testing. Brin was there. All very light-hearted, presumably before Brin made his own test results public.
September 19, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (25)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
I agree with Mr. Brin that forewarned is forearmed. To be knowledgeable beforehand of a serious disease does allow one the time to prepare for it. At the very least one can make arrangements for family affairs. If one knows long before the disease is likely to strike it's not so much of a shock to loved ones.
Posted by: andy | Sep 19, 2008 2:48:52 PM
Why would I want to know what my genes tell me. If my genes told me I was going to have polio during the 1920's, well there is a cure when I contract it. Or what if 10 years from now I am killed in a car wreck. Why worry over getting Parkinson's 30 years before it happens?
Posted by: Lindy | Sep 19, 2008 6:58:13 PM
Absolutely I would want to know. If I could know what was up ahead I could do more with today and I don't like surprises, not those kind. If I could afford it I would definetely find out what was in store for me. Thanks for asking my opinion.
Posted by: Deni O'Quinn | Sep 19, 2008 6:58:49 PM
yes i would like to know. my family has alot of diseases thats in the family.so yes i need to know.
Posted by: panda adamson | Sep 19, 2008 7:03:49 PM
Yes I would want to know.I was born with Neurofibromatosis,controlable butnot curable.I am a mutant,the only one in my family that has this.
David E. Lupin
Posted by: David E.Lupin | Sep 19, 2008 7:05:01 PM
Yes, I would definitely like to know. I could plan how I wanted to live my life. Should I be saving monies for the future? I want to know the quality of life I would expect.
Posted by: JoAnna | Sep 19, 2008 7:07:02 PM
I would love to know. I have some health problems now, and always was curious what else is in store, and whether I should start making a "bucket list." As soon as this testing has been proven more, I will sign up in an instant.
Posted by: Sherry | Sep 19, 2008 7:14:27 PM
Well lindy, it would be really cool to know you have predisposition to say: weak bones... then you can do a lot to prevent having a glass body. There are many diseases that can be helped or avoided
before they strike full.
Posted by: benjalamelami | Sep 19, 2008 7:41:06 PM
Yes,I would like to know.My Mother and her two sister's had Alzheimer's and diabetes. At 52 years old I would like to start getting my affairs in order for the future being that there is no cure for these Illnesses.
Posted by: Sharon | Sep 19, 2008 8:11:07 PM
I would do this testing. I feel that if I knew that I have a predisposition to a disease, be it Parkinsons, Altzeimers, etc... I would put my annual donations toward the foundation that is seeking a cure as opposed to the local soccer association. Maybe a cure could be found before I actually contracted the disease in later life.......
Posted by: Carole in Alabama | Sep 19, 2008 8:31:47 PM
Illnesses such as MS, Parkinsons and Alzheimer's carry a genetic predisposition but do not show symptoms until later in life; in the case of MS, until the 20s or 30s, and in Alzheimer"s in the fifties and sixties. This means that in addition to the genetic predisposition there must be a trigger built into the genetic code or an internal clock regulated by hormones. That being the case, if you know in advance your predisposition, tests can be performed to determine which hormones regulate the onslaught of symptoms of the disease. I believe this could prevent the illness from manifesting itself. More research must be conducted on the relationship between hormones and the development of symptoms. Mr. Brin could start working on this now and perhaps find a "cure" and extend his life.
Posted by: lilliana | Sep 19, 2008 9:33:07 PM
Yes I would do this test. Technology is incredible now and if I do have an illness that I can or cannot prevent I would want to know. AMAZING!!!!!
Posted by: Tweggy | Sep 19, 2008 9:54:48 PM
I would have liked to have had DNA screening so that I could've been aware of the alcoholism that ran in my family. I'm now sober 18 years but wasted 24 years drinking abusively.
Posted by: Ronald W. Klimmek | Sep 19, 2008 10:32:14 PM
If it would have been available I should have done it and possibly been able to get treatment sooner for my Systemic Lupus. Certain things in my life style could have been changed so as to prevent such severe medical conditions as a result. But you deal with the cards you're dealt and go on from there.
Posted by: Arkred | Sep 19, 2008 10:34:36 PM
Yes, it would be worth knowing, but I just looked at the 23andme website and I don't see Parkinson's listed. Did he get a special deal?
Posted by: Susan | Sep 19, 2008 10:38:00 PM
In my opinion this would be both good and bad. I would personally like to know as cancer does run in my family. If I knew in advance that I have cancer running through me...I would tough out by butting out immediately FOR GOOD as I would know my only alternative is death!
Posted by: Sdavis | Sep 19, 2008 11:38:16 PM
yes, I would like to know so I can prepare myself for the worst. At least I can make advance directives for my medical care and to let my family now what I am predisposed of.
Posted by: cheryl | Sep 20, 2008 12:45:15 AM
I also wonder if knowing that you are predetermined would classify as preexisting and cause denial in insurance benefits?
Posted by: Beau Watts | Sep 20, 2008 8:48:55 AM
Because this man has a lot of money, his diagnosis may mean that there will be a cure sooner since he has the means to support research for this disease.
Posted by: Christine Davis | Sep 20, 2008 2:37:13 PM
There is a possibility of my having Parkinsons already. I am one of the 47 million people who don't have insurance. I couldn't afford this test as I am disabled and not yet able to get Medicare. My doctor suggested I get tested, but with Parkinsons there is no "cure". Even if I have it nothing can be done so what's the use of knowing when there is no help available. If I have it, so be it.
Posted by: Linda Zahavi | Sep 20, 2008 5:35:42 PM
Post a comment
