The video “Public Genome” demonstrate an interesting perspective about how our genes play a vital role in our predisposition for certain diseases such as Alzheimer or cancer. Fragments of the six billion letters in our DNA are what makes up a gene found on our chromosome. In humans, these 20,000 plus genes transcribes to form a mature mRNA which then gets translated in the ribosome to produce a particular protein like collagen for our skin or hemoglobin in our red blood cells. Although knowing our personal genetic code has its fair share of disadvantages and risks, many argue that the advantages of learning about the types of genes in our genetic code that may put us at a high risk for illness far exceeds the cost. The video further goes
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For example, a number of life insurances discriminate against providing coverage to people who are prone to complex diseases such as cancer or monogenic illnesses later on in their lives. And so, the fear that revealing your personal genome might eventually discredit you from a lot of opportunities and benefits in society are some of the reaons why most people contradict the idea of making their genome public. Additionally, the inevitability to a future of genetic engineering in which scientists directly try to modify embryos genome via biotechnology in order to create ‘super-babies’ that are risk free from any illness also could lead to unethical problems in society. Another disadvantage of knowing our genetic code is that it might contribute to higher suicidal and depression rate in our society. Because for example, a person who has been told that they have a ninety percent chance of cancer or dementia in their life may be more likely to die from depression rather than the disease …show more content…
Our environment just like our genes play a crucial role toward variations in our physiological phenotypical traits. Geneticists are now diligently trying to study our risks for certain diseases through our genetic code, but also taking into account numerous environmental factors in order to understand what triggers certain genes that lead to cancer to be activated in some people and not in others. For instance, why might identical twins whom share nearly the same genetic information grow up to experience differing results in complex diseases. If one begins to develop the growth of cancerous cells and not the other, could we then attribute it to the genes in their genetic code or based on the environmental circumstances? Such questions are what the movie tries to undercover regarding the balance between nature vs. nurture when it comes to the understanding of our
For example, a number of life insurances discriminate against providing coverage to people who are prone to complex diseases such as cancer or monogenic illnesses later on in their lives. And so, the fear that revealing your personal genome might eventually discredit you from a lot of opportunities and benefits in society are some of the reaons why most people contradict the idea of making their genome public. Additionally, the inevitability to a future of genetic engineering in which scientists directly try to modify embryos genome via biotechnology in order to create ‘super-babies’ that are risk free from any illness also could lead to unethical problems in society. Another disadvantage of knowing our genetic code is that it might contribute to higher suicidal and depression rate in our society. Because for example, a person who has been told that they have a ninety percent chance of cancer or dementia in their life may be more likely to die from depression rather than the disease …show more content…
Our environment just like our genes play a crucial role toward variations in our physiological phenotypical traits. Geneticists are now diligently trying to study our risks for certain diseases through our genetic code, but also taking into account numerous environmental factors in order to understand what triggers certain genes that lead to cancer to be activated in some people and not in others. For instance, why might identical twins whom share nearly the same genetic information grow up to experience differing results in complex diseases. If one begins to develop the growth of cancerous cells and not the other, could we then attribute it to the genes in their genetic code or based on the environmental circumstances? Such questions are what the movie tries to undercover regarding the balance between nature vs. nurture when it comes to the understanding of our