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Genetic Information on Major Diseases Uncovered

Posted by Zonk on from the oh-genes-not-jeans dept.

gollum123 writes "A major advance in the genetic understanding behind several of the world's most common diseases is being reported by the BBC. A study tested some 17,000 people to find genetic markers for the various diseases. 'They found new genetic variants for depression, Crohn's disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 and 2 diabetes. The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) involved 50 leading research groups analyzing the DNA from 2,000 patients for each of the seven conditions and 3,000 healthy volunteers. One of the most exciting finds was a previously unknown gene common to type 1 diabetes and Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disorder, suggesting that they share similar biological pathways.' There is also disease by disease data at the BBC."

5 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Spoiler alert! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

            1 ggaggaggtg gaggaggagg gctgcttgag gaagtataag aatgaagttg tgaagctgag
           61 attcccctcc attgggaccg gagaaaccag gggagccccc cgggcagccg cgcgcccctt
          121 cccacggggc cctttactgc gccgcgcgcc cggcccccac ccctcgcagc accccgcgcc
          181 ccgcgccctc ccagccgggt ccagAcggag ccatggggcc ggagccgcag tgagcaccat
          241 ggagctggcg gccttgtgcc gctgggggct cctcctcgcc ctcttgcccc ccggagccgc
          301 gagcacccaa gtgtgcaccg gcacagacat gaagctgcgg ctccctgcca gtcccgagac

  2. Good news, but... by ArcherB · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Can we expect (hope for) laws preventing this information being retrieved or considered when calculating insurance premiums or other times when this may lead to discrimination?

    --
    There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
  3. Now everyone has a pre-existing condition by dpbsmith · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Welcome to the brave new world, where everyone has a pre-existing condition.

    The good news is, you'll have knowledge that could extend your life or even save it, if you could get treatment.

    The bad news is, in countries with profit-based free-market medical insurance, you won't be to afford that get that treatment, because insurance companies will jack up their premiums when they find out about you.

    Everyone has seen this coming for decades. Now it's here. I don't think the United States is ready for it.

    --

    "How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!

  4. Re:Humanity be careful what you do with this.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm sure that most level-headed people would agree that actually terminating a pregnancy due to very small unfavorable genetic traits such as those you mentioned is completely wrong.

    So....why? Doesn't the freedom to choose whether or not to end a pregnancy include the freedom to choose to end it for any reason or no reason at all? If it's wrong to terminate for these reasons, what makes it okay to terminate for other reasons, or no reason at all?

    Posting anonymously because I just want you to think about this. I don't want to deal with a flood of flames.

  5. Re:Definition of discrimination? by brunascle · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you were to force the insurance agency to charge a single premium, ignoring individual risk factors, then those who know they have less risk will find the premiums excessive and choose not to participate.
    that's assuming that someone who believes they will pay more for insurance than will get out of it wont sign up, which is clearly not the case. the average person pays more than they get from it, otherwise the insurance companies would go out of business.

    the average person is paying about average healthcare. you're probably paying close to average. if you believed you were low risk, would you opt-out? i wouldnt.