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.
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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)
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No, i already have an idea of what i could get because of family history so i have no use for it. people just ask your elders in your family to find out info.(Death certificates)
Posted by: jesse | Sep 21, 2008 12:36:30 AM
what about insurance companies? If they know you are going to get cancer, are they still going to cover you, or will your rates go up?
Posted by: me | Sep 21, 2008 3:44:04 PM
Interesting question because I ask myself that all the time. I like Suracell's DNA testing because 1)It's NOT direct to consumer, rather you get your kit from a medi-spa or medical professional 2) It only measures 5 key healthy aging factors and does not diagnose diseases. It tells you what nutrients you are low on so you can revamp your diet and nutritional needs.
I would be scared to know about what diseases I am predisposed to. But I don't mind knowing how to age better to possibly ward off unhealthy aging.
Posted by: Suracell | Sep 22, 2008 6:57:19 AM
I would like to have my husband tested because he is adopted and it may shed some light on his background and any medical issues I should be paying attention to. Also we have two sons who could benefit. Does anyone know how to avoid scams this way?
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