Alzheimer's Case: 23andme

There are several companies that analyze DNA for people. One of these companies is called 23 and me. This companies offers two services that ancestry and health plus ancestry. If I were to get my DNA analyzed, I would choose the health plus ancestry. This would give me information on my genetic heritage and health information. The genetic information received will be general areas of where my ancestors are from but also it would allow me to search for other people who would have family connections. The health

Genetic testing is a medical test of one’s DNA that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition which can help determine an individual's chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. In addition, knowing one’s genetic code can help individuals improve their wellness, prevent the onset of diseases they are at risk for, or lessen the harmfulness of diseases they do contract. NOVA’s documentary on PBS, “Cracking Your Genetic Code” demonstrates what exactly genetic testing is, how genetic testing is performed, and in addition the film showed stories about some individuals that have benefited from these special DNA techniques. The film plot focuses

Learning any kind of information about someone without his or her consent or knowledge is something to be ashamed of. Medical information is private and when someone tests another person’s DNA without him or her knowing it is violating that privacy. When people start to know more and more about everyone else we lose focus on what the truly important things about them are. We start noticing only the flaws about them and not all of the wonderful things, like their personality, or their hidden talents, all we see are the imperfections that cause us to dislike them. When the

These results may also help doctors make recommendations for treatment or monitoring, and give people more information for making decisions about their and their family's health, allowing them to take steps to lower his/her chance of developing a disease. For example, as the result of such a finding, someone could be screened earlier and more frequently for the disease and/or could make changes to health habits like diet and exercise. Such a genetic test result can lower a person's feelings of uncertainty, and this information can also help people to make informed choices about their future, such as whether to have a baby or

DNA profiles are very useful as although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, there is also enough DNA present which is different; this allows you to be able to distinguish one individual from another. This is the case for everyone apart from monozygotic twins. (Joseph Wambaugh)

It is patients’ right to opt for genetic testing on their own DNA, although they are accepting a great risk by doing so.

DNA has always been known to the common person as the genetic material that is found in every cell in your body to express your different traits from your hair color to your fingerprint. Though most don’t know that your DNA can also give information about what diseases or chronic illnesses you are predisposed too10. New technological advancements in the medical field have led to scientists being able to sequence your whole genome to determine your ancestral past and diseases that you are at risk for. Companies, such as 23andMe and Navigenics, have begun to advertise and share information about this new scientific advancement that can revolutionize the future of

Do you anticipate obtaining your DNA profile? If you have not yet done so, why not?

Dr. Johanna Watson, renowned geneticist from the Mayo Clinic, stopped by our offices recently to explain the importance of getting regular physical check-ups and knowing one’s family’s medical history. In our interview with Dr. Watson, she explained that all of the questions your doctor asks are for a reason. She gave us a checklist of what you should know going into a physical exam and what questions you should ask your healthcare provider. Dr. Watson also shared her latest article, “Too Much [Information] Is Not Enough,” to explain why we should build our own family genetic profile in order to understand our own physiology.

The words moved into her mind, like leaves on an autumn breeze. She awoke to find the phone between her cheek and the pillow, the insistent buzzing the only sound from the black receiver. Had there been a voice on the line? Or had she only dreamed it? Or was she even hallucinating? She had had dreams before, but the kind that would wake her like an alarm bell. Heart pounding, pulse racing, it would take her several moments to get her to know where she was and that she had been dreaming.

If the genetic information is only accessible to the individual then there is a decreased chance of such discrimination occurring because the information is disclosed to who the individual wishes to. Genetic information can raise questions about personal responsibility, personal choice versus genetic determinism, and concepts of health and disease. Personal factors, family values, and community and cultural beliefs can mould the reactions to these issues. For example the response to the genetic information and suggestion from physicians after the test will be drastically different in a society where traditions and religion determine life choices, such as India, than to a more individually liberal society like the USA. Even in a progressive society that has had specific ethnic groups for multiple generations disparities with medical technology are common. A study conducted, using the national representative data, in the USA with the sample that consisted of 1724 men and women of non-Hispanic whites, Latinos, and African American background. Results exposed significant differences by racial/ethnic groups in knowledge and concerns about the potential misuse of genetic testing. Significantly higher levels of mistrust in a physician and the medical system was a common thread within minorities. The genetic tests can be a way of ridding anxiety attached to the assumed inheritance of genetic disease due to family background whilst for others the genetic test reveals their reality. The results can have a great deal of a psychological impact upon the individual. The possibility of developing a genetic disease alone can create anxiety within some. The psychological impact from the results revealed is another issue that society is concerned about. A

Although the gene chip will enable an individual to know whether he/she has a genetic disease, that person may not want to know the information. Many people are frightened that a positive finding on a genetic test will result in discrimination and ostracism because the society will consider them abnormal (Easthope 2005). The other concern is that with genetic test information one might lose or might be unable to get a job or insurance. There have been concerns that with the knowledge of one’s medical information after a gene test, he/she might suffer a psychological problem especially when the results reveal that one suffers from a terminal disease or has high possibility of suffering from one (Willis 2009).

A huge ethical issue with DNA profiling is the concern of an invasion of privacy. A hacker could get onto a DNA profile database and gain access to a person’s DNA and gain information about them (Better Health, 2015). The issue of ownership is also a common concern, some people do not want their DNA profile kept by anyone (Future of Working, 2016). 3.

If the government had every U.S. citizen’s DNA, and could in fact determine this information, I have no doubt it would be abused. This furthers my stance that a database like this should not be created or allowed.

In addition to Alzheimer's not receiving enough funding to find a cure, many people should be advocating the problem so more people are knowledged about the issue. According to T.R. Reid, an editor for AARP, there is a lot of funding provided for diseases that already have cures. Since there are cures for diseases such as cancer or HIV/AIDS, there are lots of survivors who are able to share their stories of survival to promote research. On the other hand, there is a lack of funding which has created a delay to curing Alzheimer’s. While there are survivors of cancer and HIV/AIDS there are not any prominent survivors of Alzheimer's that can promote research. Advocating is one major way to get the country's attention about the issue. There are