The last barrier to be overcome in genetic testing is public acceptability

Times Online ^ | 09 Feb 2009 | Mark Henderson

[BGHater]

The prospect of sequencing every patient’s genetic code has enticed doctors since the first draft of the human genome was published in 2001.

DNA profiles for all would provide critical information about individuals’ inherited risk of diseases and could match patients to the drugs most likely to work for them.

This dream has been held up by two technical barriers. DNA sequencing was too expensive: the initial Human Genome Project cost $4 billion. And as little was known about which genes contribute to common diseases, there was little to be gained by mapping them.

Both problems are being overcome. The cost should soon dip below the magic figure of $1,000, at which it would become affordable to insurers and the NHS.

Over the past two years, scientists have identified hundreds of common genetic variants that raise the risk of diseases including heart attacks, breast and prostate cancer, macular degeneration and hypertension.

[Nervous Tick]

This is so cool! Early in a baby’s life the wise policymakers (leftists by definition) will be able to decide if you’re apt to be a “net gain” to society or a “net burden”, and... er... *nurture* you appropriately.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

These people creep me out SO MUCH.

It’s stuff like this that makes me want to forego the whole “birth certificate process”...

You don’t need a license from the state to get married either. Marriage is a covenant ordained by God, not a contract ordained by the state