Stanford Scientist Tracks Genetic Onset of Own Diabetes
20 Mar 2012
At what point would you still want to/not want to know your genetically
predisposed destiny? What if your genes spell out a fair chance of you
developing diabetes or even cancer? Would you live your life differently,
change your diet? Would the knowledge of this increased possibility of disease
leave you with sleepless nights or would you feel empowered by this chance to
come to terms with or even delay the onset?
The above are all questions that every person will have their own view on
and I would expect opinion to differ wildly. In many respects, I would fall on
the side of ‘not want to know’, on the grounds that in many cases I would not
be in a position to alter the inevitable, whereas another part of me knows that
this foresight would make me more proactive in undergoing tests to ensure early
detection. Swings and roundabouts, and a minefield of ethical and medical
dilemmas are inevitable as we progress towards personalised medicine and
pay-per-genome availability on the market.
The reason for these ponderings is an article released by Stanford
University, detailing two years of research by Dr Snyder and team wherein the
geneticist’s DNA, RNA and cellular proteins were sequenced and monitored. By taking
snapshots of molecular variables over time, the team not only monitored
Snyder’s immune system as it battled with viral infections, but also
highlighted his genetic predisposition to develop diabetes. Armed with this
knowledge, Dr Snyder made alterations to his diet and lifestyle, and managed to
pre-empt any severe difficulties associated with the onset of type-II diabetes.
Take a look at the Stanford article for full details of experimental design
and results. It’s a great read, showing the future of personalised medicine is
oh so close and very real indeed.
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