The next generation of parents is set to embrace genetic testing of kids for diseases that may occur later in life, according to a study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. This is big news given that many medical professionals oppose the practice and there is a movement in Congress to secure genetic privacy. This raises a key question: What is the nature of genetic data? The study’s author, Angela Bradbury, M.D., mentioned a generational component to understanding how society interacts with genetic data.
Perhaps the generational argument can help explain things. After all, the younger generation is also much more willing to post information about themselves online in places like MySpace and Facebook. However, older people read the news as well, and it is no secret that genetic testing and manipulation have many potential health benefits.
Indeed, the idea of genetic testing is rocking the tech world where companies like 23andMe, Navigenics and deCODE genetics are helping individuals figure out what diseases they are predisposed toward. There is even an X Prize for the first team that can sequence 100 human genomes in 10 days. These initiatives are just the beginning of personalized medicine, a true revolution in health tech.
Current power brokers generally look askance at revolutions, which may explain why some leaders from the medical profession oppose widespread testing, but that doesn’t account for the apparent hesitation on the part of older parents. It could be that when it comes to genetic technologies, older people are more focused on the social ramifications, an area where they certainly have more experience.
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