Genetic Testing

Genetic Testing Can Save Lives…Why Stop It?

            As new discoveries in genetics create more mysteries about our DNA, they also create fresh arguments between writers in the medical field. Authors Charlie Gillis and Ronald Bailey each have their own opinions on the topic of genetic testing. Gillis in his piece “Risky Business”—published on Maclean’s.ca—did not feel comfortable with the idea of genetic testing. While, Bailey supported the testing of human genetics in his article “Leave 23andMe alone”, which was published on Reason.com. Although Gillis provides ample evidence that genetic testing does have its flaws, Bailey’s research on the positive effects of genetic testing convinces me that testing people’s genetics is a worthwhile venture that can help people prevent diseases or better their lives to lessen the impact of the disease.  

Decades ago, it seemed like nothing more than an abstract idea to know what type of DNA you have in your body. Today, science and technology have developed to an extent where that valuable information can be found out within weeks at an affordable cost. In his article “Risky Business”, Gillis writes about the company 23andMe, which provides average people with affordable genetic testing. While this company has had almost “500,000” (Bailey 3) customers, the “U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a letter to 23andMe asking it to stop providing health results to its American members” (Gillis 2) because of the negative effects the results have on the citizens. These negative side effects include depression and anxiety that result from tests that show mutations in genes. Although the FDA stopped the company in America, Gillis reminds us that Canada does not have any regulations on genetic testing which resulted in an increase of 23andMe advertisements in their country. Gillis then emphasizes that genetic test results in Canada “can be used by insurers and employers” (2). When a citizen in Canada takes a genetic test, their future employers have the right to view the results. Abnormal test results could cause people to see an increase in difficulties to obtain a job or insurance because those companies will discriminate against people with a higher number of mutated genes. Gillis expresses that upsetting results can cause more harm than a lack of job or insurance; these irregular results could cause depression or anxiety. Fear of what the results may say, these unusual findings are also a reason people are not getting the testing done. Whether the genes are found to be normal or abnormal, genetic testing only informs people of their chances for different diseases, and the information given never absolutely guarantees that the conditions they are more likely to develop will actually develop.

23andMe Logo

                                       

Ronald Bailey’s view of genetic testing in his article “Leave 23andMe alone” contradicts Gillis’s opinion on the matter. Bailey begins by enlightening his readers about this horrible thing the FDA has done to the company 23andMe. He reports that the FDA shut down 23andMe’s genetic testing center in the United States to stop it from sending genetic reports to U.S. citizens. In a letter to 23andMe, the FDA claimed that they “[worry] that purchasers of 23andMe's personal genome services will do something dangerously stupid in reaction to what they learn” (Bailey 1). They fear that if citizens begin to receive negative results about their DNA, they will become dangerous, cease rational thinking, or develop depression, among other things. However, Bailey brings to light an example of a woman who received a positive result for a breast cancer causing gene. Instead of immediately planning a double mastectomy, she planned a visit with her doctor to plan a more thorough genetic test. The new test ended up supporting 23andMe’s results. Bailey supports his view by explaining a recent study 23andMe completed about effects of results that were positive for BRCA, a gene that causes cancer. One note from the study was that “‘all but one of the 32 mutation-positive participants appreciated learning their BRCA mutation status’” (Bailey 2).  These results contradict the FDA’s reasoning that people are not ready to understand the mutations that are in their genes. Also, almost “500,000 people have purchased 23andMe’s genotype screening tests” (Bailey 3) which shows that many citizens are curious to learn about their DNA. As a result of the FDA’s actions to halt 23andMe’s service to Americans, the once quick and affordable genetic results are no longer available to citizens. Their actions will increase people’s waiting time, which restricts valuable time people could spend taking preventative actions.

In the previous articles about genetic testing, Gillis argues the dangers that genetic testing has on people. On the other hand, Bailey contends that genetic testing is a great advance in science that should be available to the public. Gillis repeatedly brings up the argument that society is not capable of hearing about mutations in their genes. He argues that bad results will cause decline into a pit of despair. Yet, in writing about genetic testing, Bailey has nothing but good things to say about the test. Bailey’s claim that awareness of genetic mutations does more good than harm contradicts Gillis’s viewpoint that the testing only causes harm. Bailey describes multiple events where the early warnings from genetic testing have saved lives by people taking early preventative action towards diseases they could have developed.

Taking both authors’ arguments into account, I wholeheartedly endorse Bailey’s claim that genetic testing is a positive scientific advancement that should be available for society to use at will. People should have the choice to make their own decisions in learning about their genes, and what possible mutations they carry. When a person discovers that they have a higher chance to develop a diseases or disorder, they can take preventative measures, such as living a healthier lifestyle or changing their medications. Bailey wrote about a recent study that reported that genetic test results revealing mutation were not linked to bad results. He posed that people were not “inclined to overestimate the contributions of genetics to common health problems or underestimate behavioral risk factors” (Bailey 3).These tests could also help people learn about mutations that have already started to affect their bodily functions. Genetic testing is a fascinating way for people to learn more about their body and can help them to develop different routine habits that will better their lifestyle. In addition to the mutations the tests can find, genetic testing is a great way for people to learn more about the field of genetics. When I was younger and heard about the company 23andMe, it sparked interest in me about finding out what exactly the field of genetics is all about. Now five years later, I am currently pursuing a biochemistry major to become a genetic researcher. The FDA’s move to shut down 23andMe’s genetic testing service for American citizens may keep younger people from hearing about the field of genetics. When fewer people know about the field, fewer people will pursue degrees to further the scientific discoveries about our human genes, and the lack of geneticists could slow down scientists' efforts to cure common genetic disorders.

At this point many receivers of genetic tests revealing mutated genes would object my opinion that genetic testing should be available to the public. These naysayers claim that the public is not emotionally prepared to know their risks for future diseases. However, anyone over 18 can order these 23andMe genotype testing kits. That is the same age people become a legal adult, are allowed to vote, buy tobacco, and purchase lottery tickets. The company's Terms of Service states that in order to “provide your own Genetic Information, you must be eighteen (18) years of age or older” (23andMe). As an adult, they should understand the risks of finding out about their genetic information, and know that not all results will be good news. These people with mutation positive tests may claim that those terrifying results only caused anxiety or depression. The early signs of a genetic mutation could, however, eventually save the person from a disease or a premature death. A result indicating a genetic probability for a disease like breast cancer may scare a person, but it scares them into seeking a doctor to help take precautionary measures to decrease their chances of developing breast cancer. Gillis quotes Emily Conley, a director at 23andMe, about the true meaning of the company; she explains “‘[genetic testing] is an individual’s right to obtain information about himself so he can make healthy adjustments to his lifestyle’” (5).

DNA Strands

Ultimately, what is at stake here is the right to learn about their genes whenever and however they want. When the FDA shut down 23andMe’s availability to Americans, they took away Americans' rights to discover what type of genes they have at an affordable price. One important opportunity given by 23andMe was the chance for early detection of genetic mutations. These early warning signs have given people the chance to change their lifestyles or have disease preventative surgeries. Numerous people have taken the opportunity given by 23andMe’s services to find out information about their genes and what is troublesome about them. As a result of the FDA’s actions, the once quick and affordable process of requiring genetic results are no longer available to citizens. Their actions will increase people’s waiting time, which leaves less time for preventative actions.

All things considered, both authors make a good argument on either side of the genetic testing debate. Gillis creates a strong argument against the use of genetic testing to discover a person's faults in their genetic makeup, while Bailey writes an opinion-changing piece about the positive effects genetic testing can have on people’s lives. What Gillis fails to point out is that only adults can use companies—such as 23andMe—to order genetic information, and that not all test results cause negative effects on people. Without the continuation of genetic testing, society may be missing out on cures for common genetic disorders that could be discovered from multiple genetic results. In the end, no one truly knows what diseases they will get, but the genetic testing is a good warning sign that has the power to save lives. This type of live-saving opportunity should not be taken away from the public.    

Works Cited

Bailey, Ronald. "Leave 23andMe Alone: The FDA Should Stop Obstructing Consumer-driven Genetic Testing." Reason. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Mar. 2014. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.

Gillis, Charlie. "Risky Business." Macleans.ca. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, 23 Mar. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.

"Terms of Service." 23andme.com. 23andMe, Inc., 2015. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.