Staying Alive, Staying Human

[Monty Solomon]

February 11, 2003

Staying Alive, Staying Human
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

I've just had my genome scanned, and unfortunately I have common
mutations that give me a mildly increased risk for dangerous blood
clots, schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. Worst of all, my ApoE gene
indicates I have three times the average risk for getting Alzheimer's.

On the other hand, I don't have plenty of common nasty mutations, such
as those associated with colon cancer and melanoma. All in all, the
analysis of 130 of my genetic markers, coupled with more traditional
medical data, suggests that I'm subsidizing my life insurance company -
which is the way I like it.

This kind of genetic screening may be the Next Big Thing. It offers a
glimpse of how genetics will transform human life in this century.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/11/opinion/11KRIS.html