Baffled by Numbers

Navigating information towards better health decisions

Talya Miron-Shatz, Ph.D., is a researcher at Princeton University. She specializes in medical decision making of patients and health professionals. See full bio

June 18, 2009, Health

Comments on "Genetic testing and the field of dreams (part 2)"

Genetic testing and the field of dreams (part 2)

By Talya Miron-Shatz, Ph.D. on June 18, 2009 in Baffled by Numbers

The first Annual Consumer Genetics Show in Boston last week, reminded me of the First Automobile Show, New York, 1900. ‘The Grandmother of all Auto Shows' presented vehicles to a world with no highways or navigation tools. A world with barely any road signs, because people rarely wandered outside of their well known realm. The car manufacturers who presented there were perhaps dreamers, but such dreamers, fueled by ambition, adventure, a flare for novel ideas and, let's face it, the desire to make a buck, are what pushes the world forward. Read More

Genetic Testing

Submitted by Ryan Thompson on September 1, 2009 - 8:30pm.

Ok, in response to my reply on part 1 of this article, I didn't realize that there was legislation that prevents genetic testing to affect employment and insurance rate/changes. This makes me feel a little bit better. :)

Again, very informative article! :)

Ryan Thompson

When the cat's out of the bag...

Submitted by Talya Miron-Shatz, PhD on September 1, 2009 - 10:13pm.

Ryan,

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your concerns regarding discrimination once genetic information is available. While the legistlation is commendable, I too fear that we have not seen the end of it. The more prevalent genetic testing becomes, and the more aware employers and insurers are of the potential benefit they can reap by using such information, pressure will increase to relax control over screening data. Then again, we could be pleasantly surprised.