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"I don't know what information I want," a woman whose whole genome was being mapped recently told me. Her son was born with a severe disease, and she agreed to have her genes examined to help find the cause. Scientists were about to sequence the 3 billion molecules that encode the information in her DNA, her unique genetic "fingerprint," the "blueprint" for making her a biologically unique person.
These scientists could then also tell her lots of other information about her and her family -- whether she had mutations associated with breast cancer, colon cancer, Alzheimer's, autism, and other diseases.
"I never really thought about it," she said. "I don't really know what it all means. I guess: Tell me everything."
Only after she heard about the complexities involved -- that it may be upsetting and prevent her from getting life or disability insurance -- did she realize that that may not be a good idea. But she was left unsure what information, if any, she would nonetheless want.
This past spring, scientists posted online the complete genome of cells...
These scientists could then also tell her lots of other information about her and her family -- whether she had mutations associated with breast cancer, colon cancer, Alzheimer's, autism, and other diseases.
"I never really thought about it," she said. "I don't really know what it all means. I guess: Tell me everything."
Only after she heard about the complexities involved -- that it may be upsetting and prevent her from getting life or disability insurance -- did she realize that that may not be a good idea. But she was left unsure what information, if any, she would nonetheless want.
This past spring, scientists posted online the complete genome of cells...