Francis Collins on `Heredity and Humanity'

J.W. Bizzaro • June 21, 2001

Francis Collins on `Heredity and Humanity'
(3 comments)

``Unfortunately, the new focus on the genome has left some people with the impression that DNA's power is perhaps too considerable--that is, that genes are too great a factor in defining who we are. This fear is understandable. It seems that every morning we awake to a news story presenting yet another way in which our genes appear to be controlling us, like the proverbial tail that wags the dog: `Scientists Zero in on Genius Gene'; `Kennedy Tragedies Linked to Risk-Taking Gene'; `Diabetes Gene Poses Risk for Latinos'; `Scientists Say a Study of Brothers Proves Existence of a Gay Gene.'

``With a torrent of headlines such as these, reasonable people have come to fear that the more we learn about the human genome, the more we will see that every aspect of the human condition--from illness to intelligence to fear itself--is just the inevitable product of an unyielding, unfeeling genetic code. For this reason, they worry that our new genomic knowledge represents not a giant leap for humankind but rather a giant demotion. Perhaps we are just marionettes being tugged along by the strands of our DNA. Perhaps our lives are nothing more than a formulaic drama, with a plot line that was finalized before our birth.

``Fortunately, ten years of intensive study of the human genome have provided ample evidence that these fears of genetic determinism are unwarranted. It has shown us definitively that we human beings are far more than the sum of our genetic parts. Needless to say, our genes play a major, formative role in human development--and in many of the processes of human disease; but high-tech molecular studies as well as low-tech (but still eminently useful) studies of identical and fraternal twins make it perfectly evident that our genes are not all-determining factors in the human experience.''

Full story at The New Republic:
http://www.tnr.com/062501/collins062501_print.html

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displasia arritmogenica de ventriculo derecho

Submitted by Nobody ; posted on Friday, October 24, 2003

Mi nombre es Myriam Bourdetti Tengo un hijo de 22 años, hace 6 años se le diagnostico displasia arritmogenica de ventriculo derecho, tiene implantado un cardiodesfibrilador,debido a esto ha cambiado radicalmente su vida, ya que tiene mucho miedo a los choques, ha tenido ataques de panico y grandes periodos de depresion. Los medicos nos han dicho que la unica posibilidad de cura es encontrar los genes Agradeceria me dijeran si hay adelantos al respecto y que posibilidades existen Si es posible me respondan en español Atentamente

displasia arritmogenica de ventriculo derecho

Submitted by Nobody ; posted on Friday, October 24, 2003

Mi nombre es Myriam Bourdetti horliard@adinet.com.uy Vivimos en Montevideo. Uruguay Tengo un hijo de 22 años, hace 6 años se le diagnostico displasia arritmogenica de ventriculo derecho, tiene implantado un cardiodesfibrilador Tiene mucho miedo a los choques y por este motivo ha cambiado radicalmente su vida,practicaba mucho deporte pero por temor ha dejado totalmente, ha tenido ataques de panico y depresiones Los medicos nos han dicho que la unica posibilidad es el descubrimiento de los genes Deseo saber si se esta trabajando en esto y que adelantos hay Agradezco me contesten en español Atentamente

displasia arritmogenica de ventriculo derecho

Submitted by Nobody ; posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004

me llamo jose aguilar y tengo la enfermedad desde hace 6 años quisiera saber de las limitaciones de la enfermedad, como por ejemplo si puedo conducir un automovil, o efectuar algun tipo de deporte, en este momento tengo un marcapasos desfibrilador, y me limita para hacer algun deporte de competencia favor contestar a: arcangel972@hotmail.com

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