Genetic Testing and Corporations

Genetic testing remains a very difficult subject since on one hand the trade-off between knowledge and getting medical help in a timely matter is literally a matter of life and death. However, on the other hand, people (including me) worry that genetic knowledge could be used against them to deny access to health care coverage or employment. And God forbid what corporations might do with this information in the future.

Among groups which have a high rate of not marrying partners from the general population, the prevelence of specific diseases associated with recessive genes and the impact of this issue could be even more problematic. And yes, I know there is differing research and data on these issues. It seems to me privacy concerns should be an essential right when it comes to genetic testing and medical research. I simply do not trust corporations to look out for my best interests.

This probably isn't new to to many readers of the Rising Hegemon. This article is a good update on this issue and provides much food for thought. It illustrates the point, ". . . considerable uncertainty remains about the public's willingness to accept genetic testing or how they will react." Indeed.