Gene Blues: Dilemmas of DNA Testing

Freud's remark that "biology is destiny" is being taken to new levels of meaning today. Now that medical science has proven that everything from psychosis to alcoholism to heart disease might be heritable, the race is on to identify the genes involved. How this research effects individuals with these and other medical conditions is a different matter; unfortunately, this program is not exactly an unbiased forum for the issues. The "average citizens" and experts interviewed here and the voice-overs all are slanted to the "government's-going-to-take-over-and-eugenics-will-become-the-norm" alarmist point of view. Let's tick off the points. We should be cleaning up the environment and providing decent housing for all instead of spending money on the Human Genome Project! "Mother-fetus bonding" can be delayed if a woman waits to have genetic screening before "accepting" the fetus into her womb! The government will direct scientists toward genetically engineering a Master Race! Common sense suggests that stronger governmental oversight of the private sector, rather than lesser, seems to be the way to keep privacy and civil rights intact, but you won't hear it in this tape. While there are a myriad of ethical ramifications concerning the issue of DNA testing, a less hysterical, more evenhanded view is needed. Optional. A better choice here might be Banking Our Genes (VL-1/98). Aud: P. (R. Reagan)