The DNA Debate at UC Berkeley

Glenn McGee, PhD

June 15, 2010

So what’s the problem?

You’re an incoming first year student at a major university, and they send you a cotton swab for a DNA sample. It’s voluntary, anonymous and presented as a way to tell if you are vulnerable to certain health problems.

Simple, right? Not according to Glenn McGee, PhD, the John B. Francis Chair at the Center for Practical Bioethics.

In this edition of The Bioethics Channel Dr. McGee explores the ethical issues around the University of California-Berkeley program asking for DNA samples from incoming freshmen.

Links:

Podcast, 14 minutes 29 seconds

UC Berkeley offer to test DNA of incoming students sparks debate, Los Angeles Times, June 1

24 Hour Genetic Testing at Your Local Walgreens

Summer Johnson, PhD

May 11, 2010

Courtesy of Pathway Genomics and Walgreens Pharmacy in 7500 pharmacies around the nation, you too can send your spit off for genetic analysis and find out your genetic predisposition for a wide range of conditions including breast cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, says ABC News.

Of course, over-the-counter genetic tests have been debated to death and the ethical issues are obvious, but what I'd love to see at my Walgreens pharmacy is someone going up to the pharmacy counter and speaking to the pharmacist about whether to take such a test.

For more from bioethics.net click here.

Link: Company plans to sell genetic testing kit at drugstores, Washington Post, May 11, 2010