In science we have just finished watching the movie “Cracking the Codes of Life.” As we all know we are learning genetics and during the past weeks we have studied the basics, such as T matching A and C matching G. This movie, therefore, was about DNA. It was a documentary on the human genome project. However, I can officially say it is one of the most fascinating ones I have ever watched. The thoughts and ideas the movie left me with blow my mind. What humans managed to find out in the human genome project is utterly incredible. It is explained throughout the video from the very beginning, when the human genome project was a vague thought almost impossible to achieve up until the end, when it became a race for who will make history and change our world drastically. The giant step that took years to complete, decoding the entire human genome or simply, the DNA in each one of us. The almost never ending; spiral shaped, microscopic ladder in all of us, also known as the blueprint of life. Because a few decades ago we had no idea what caused cancer while now we find the exact letter in the series and we are working on how to fix it. Can you imagine how much we progressed in such a short period of time? Can you believe that our bodies are made of microscopic cells, all controlled by a nucleus, and in that nucleus, there are strands of DNA, telling us weather our eyes will be blue of brown, whether our hair blond or brown, and even if we have a risk to Alzheimer’s. The movie explained this and much more. Some parts heart breaking, some hope giving, some making you stop and remain amazed at what achievements we succeeded to accomplish.
It was once a dream to have the entire human genome at your service any time; to know each single letter of the DNA. Now however we realize the human genome was a minuscule step in saving lives. In the movie they talked about DNA as well as heredity and the illnesses that come with it. It explained how we can find what sicknesses we will have just by reading our own genes. Also, by looking at our hereditary traits. Sicknesses need both parents to be carriers. Year ago when someone asked us what cancer was and why would you get it, a doctor won’t really know how to explain. Nowadays he can just point a finger at a strand of DNA and show where and why the mutation occurred. However, we still don’t know how to cure it, and truly, we aren’t even close. At one part of the movie they talked about proteins and a baby sick with a lung disease. It was because one of the proteins wasn’t functioning correctly. There are a ton of proteins produced, and they aren’t a simple to decode as DNA. They are 3D, different shapes and sizes, coming together in different ways we find impossible to decode because as far as we are concerned, they are pattern less. Summarizing, we did manage to decipher our DNA and all diseases that come with it but we aren’t even close to knowing how to fix them. It will be more difficult than anything we have tried this far.
One World:
Sequencing the human genome may bring to light a number of genes that are the basis for known genetic diseases or that predispose a person to a condition such as heart disease, cancer, or Alzheimer’s disease. Yet finding a gene for an illness many not lead to an immediate cure. Would you want to be tested to learn whether they had a genetic disease or predisposition if no cure was available? Why or why not?
I would accept to be tested. Not only it would save my life but other’s as well. If they would tell me I will have a heart disease, I would do anything to prevent it or at least delay it. If it would be incurable, I would get used to the idea and live my life. If I might but might not get it, I would be optimistic and get checkups at least three times a year. However, knowing some information might ruin your life. It might enable you to have kids, not because you can’t, but because you are carrying a trait that would affect it. I would consider that saving a life as well. Who would rather torture a kid because of a heredity transmitted disease than adopt one? Sometimes, this information might ruin your career, your dreams and your hopes. It would be heart breaking, but you must get over it, and find something else to do. I must admit, if all I would be dreaming of from the age of four would be crushed in a matter of days, I’d rather not find it out. But rethinking, it would save my life and I would appreciate being warned; not just being hit by the truth one day, finding out that for the past years of my career I have slowly been killing myself from the inside. It would surely be easier not to know anything and live your dream but the point is; you wouldn’t survive it.
Consider a scenario in which lab needs DNA samples for use in genetic testing studies. Researchers are searching for a variant of a gene that provides resistance to specific bacterial diseases. If the company finds this gene, it may be able to reproduce a drug to sell to people who have these diseases. Would you agree to have you DNA be part of the study? Why or why not? Would you want royalties for your part in finding the gene? What if during the testing, the company discovered you had a gene that might result in a health problem later in life? Would you want to be informed? Why or why not?
Not only would I agree with being a part of this study, I would be honored. Getting a test which will help cure a disease is like saving thousands of lives. It would be history. If my DNA would be tested and based on it scientist would find a cure for cancer, I’d be considered a hero. However, during this test I might find that I will have Alzheimer’s. I would actually take it as a privilege to know the future and pray that someone would have done the same courageous act I committed so they could find a cure for my own disease. It would truly be unfair to be the one that helped find a revolutionary cure and forget it because of another sickness, but at least you knows how you will end up and even though they still won’t have a cure, or anything to prevent it, you would at least live your life to the fullest and get used to the idea so it won’t seem a shocker.
As more is learned about genes, there is a risk that the information will be used to define certain members of society by their genetic makeup. Identify the meaning of the terms genetic discrimination and genetic privacy. What are some ways to protect against this type of genetic discrimination?
It is completely your decision to share or not to share all the genetic information you find out about yourself. Everybody deserves to either agree or disagree to what will be known to the whole world. If you don’t wish to share that you will get brain cancer in the future, everyone must respect and agree with your choice. Finding out what diseases you will get might lead to discrimination. People will pity you, won’t allow you to do what you want, sometimes exclude you and worse, tease you. It doesn’t matter if the people around you swear they won’t laugh or discriminate you, It is your decision and if it is broken, you must be allowed to punish although it might be too late. In other cases however you might be the person who has the DNA which holds a key to a cure. In those moments I think you should lose the stubbornness and help.
