RJA 11

What is the current impact of genetic discovery, and where could it lead us?

1)     Research has already provided us ways to diagnose and potentially treat many diseases, such as certain forms of childhood leukemia, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (X-SCID), and many others (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml)

a.      Overpopulation and rapid resource usage are running rampant; helping people live longer is making it more difficult for everyone to live a good life

b.     Playing with the building blocks of what makes us, “us,” is bound to have consequences – not letting life run its course the way it was intended could create a problem on some yet-unknown scale

2)     There is the potential of organ replication using only a small sample of cells; imagine being able to have a spare heart in case yours stops.  In addition, genes are common among all organisms, and unlocking them could give us the answers to questions like, "how are trees able to process carbon monoxide and turn it into oxygen?" -- answers that could help provide solutions for other issues such as sustainable energy

a.      At what point is an ethical boundary crossed?  If someone has a heart condition from birth, it’s possible that a healthy heart could be grown for them from their own cells.  On the other hand, a 2-pack-a-day smoker could have a healthy heart grown too.  Does money make a difference, i.e. would the smoker get ahead in line because he or she was wealthier and could afford better insurance?  Would insurance costs skyrocket?  At what point would accountability be put on the patients?

b.     While the idea of genetics influencing the growth of sustainable energy isn’t terribly far-fetched, the question remains:  how can this knowledge get utilized?  Learning how a tree can recycle carbon-dioxide into oxygen is fantastic, but how does that help us replicate the process when clear-cutting is so prominent throughout the world?

3)     People are constantly hungry for knowledge, and this is one of the few areas outside of deep space and deep marine which are still open for exploration.  The cartographers of today are genetic scientists, mapping out the millions of routes and channels that make "us."

a.      This research goes into previously uncharted territory.  The questions being asked and the potential answers that lie over the horizon are not something we’re prepared for.  All outcomes cannot be planned, and as with the Internet, governing for all new technologies is a trial-and-error process; one that cannot be afforded given the value of the information at hand.

b.     The inevitable question of stem-cells will divide people – these are the “holy grail” of genetic research: a cell that can turn into anything it’s put next to.  Imagine a cell that could replicate a cancerous cell, so we could study cancer in a way that’s never been done; a cell that, put next to a severed spinal cord, could regenerate it; a cell that could re-create neurons so even those in the most aggressive states of catatonia could be revived.  Unfortunately, the only known sources of stem-cells are unborn fetuses.  The debate of when a fetus is actually considered a living being rages on, with many staunch supporters on one side or the other, and a few riding the fence.

RJA 10c

1)  The privacy of genetic information is important and unless shored up, could be left open to exploitation
2)  The promise of "solving any problem" could give people reason to act however they like without consequence
3)  The cost and effort of integration of a completely new mindset in an industry inundated with red tape, and one which is incredibly difficult to audit, would outweigh any benefits.

RJA 10b

1)   Research has already provided us ways to diagnose and potentially treat many diseases, such as certain forms of childhood leukemia, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (X-SCID), and many others (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml)
2)  Genes are common among all organisms, and unlocking them could give us the answers to questions like, "how are trees able to process carbon monoxide and turn it into oxygen?" -- answers that could help provide solutions for other issues such as sustainable energy
3)  Genetic disorders, especially those that are unavoidable, could be treated and diagnosed before birth
4)  People are constantly hungry for knowledge, and this is one of the few areas outside of deep space and deep marine which are still open for exploration.  The cartographers of today are genetic scientists, mapping out the millions of routes and channels that make "us."
5)  There is the potential of organ replication using only a small sample of cells; imagine being able to have a spare heart in case yours stops... the possibilities are endless!

RJA 10a

What is the current impact of genetic discovery, and where could it lead us?

Although much of the progressive research is still highly controversial and theoretical, current applications of genomics already assist us in a variety of preventative diagnoses (certain cancers, cystic fibrosis, Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, and many more).  Although there are plenty of questions to be asked regarding the exponential growth of genomics, the fact that it can provide us previously unfathomable insight into nature is reason enough to pursue the research.

RJA 9

Works Cited

 Juengst, Ph.D., Eric T.. "Can Enhancement Be Distinguished from Prevention in Genetic Medicine?." The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 22.2 (1997): 125-142. Oxford Journals. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.  Although an older article, the issues that it addresses are becoming more real than the theoretic approach this author takes.
Emery, Dr. Jon. "The challenge of integrating genetic medicine into primary care." BMJ Journals - Helping doctors make better decisions 322.1027 (2001): n. pag. BMJ. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.  This particular article goes into the issues that might cause transitioning genetics into current medicinal practice; where it is, where it could go, and what might hold it up.
"Pharmacogenomics: Medicine and the New Genetics." Oak Ridge National Laboratory. US Government, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/pharma.shtml>.  This resource is a broad one that goes into the various details of current genomic medicine, pharmacogenetics, their history, and future.

RJA 8b

In conducting my field research, I plan on speaking to several people about genetic medicine and the impacts it could have.

1)  A doctor - my girlfriend is an ophthalmic nurse, and the generation of the retina (brain tissue) is at the forefront of genomic research.  Dr. Kimura is the executive president of the practice she works at, and is currently writing a dissertation on genetic medicine.  I plan on having a lunch meeting with Dr. Kimura to discuss further, but I'm waiting to learn when our schedules might mesh.

Questions:

a)  What are some of the advances in the ophthalmic field regarding genetic medicine and genomics?

b)  How can you see genomics changing the face of medicine, from detection and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, or even prevention?

c)  What are some barriers that genetic medicine might face?

d)  What might be some ethical/moral issues that might surface when it comes to research or application of genetic medicine?

e)  Is the idea of individualized medicine that far-fetched?  In our lifetimes?

f)  What sort of big-picture impacts do you see in a society that has a cure for everything?  Overpopulation, depleted resources, etc. come to mind, but I want your take.

g)  There are medicines out there right now that have serious impact -- we know that MAOI inhibitors and SSRI's can create new neural pathways and literlly change the chemistry of our brain -- but are considered by many to be the only cure for severe depression.  How might genetic medicine impact some of these serious side effects?  Could there be new, unconsidered side effects?

2)  A pharmaceutical representative - I have researched several pharmaceutical companies and have a few friends that are in the pharmaceutical sales field... however I'd really like to try and find someone who works in the R&D department at pharmaceutical company.  I'd like to make a visit to the representative's office if at all possible, and if not, conduct a phone interview.

Questions:

a)  What are some pros and cons of genetic medicine?

b)  What sort of comparisons might be made between genetic medicine and current pharmaceuticals?

c)  There are many drugs currently that over time can change the chemistry of the brain, create new neural pathways, etc.; how might genetic medicine impact side effects?  What side effects could occur that we haven't considered in comparison to traditional medicine?

d)  What do you see on the horizon for pharmaceutical companies and products?

RJA 8a

The field of genomics is incredibly interesting.  For hundreds of years, we as a race have been finding ways to react to disease, but here we have the possibility to proactively prevent it by essentially changing our building blocks; our genetic structure.  While practical application on that high a level isn’t in the near future, the fledgling science that is genomics is catching on.  There are already tests that can be conducted via spinal tap that can determine if a fetus has Downs’ Syndrome or Turner’s Syndrome.  Criminal forensics has been using a DNA database to match criminals with DNA found at the scene of a crime, and these matches are within 99.9%.  In addition, the developments of cloned sheep and cloned organs have shown us just how far-reaching this science is.  There has been recent study done on heart-attack patients in conjunction with stem-cell research.  In a small group of 18 patients who had suffered heart attacks; myocardial infarctions typically leave behind irreparable scar tissue.  Cells were drawn from the healthier portions of the patients’ hearts and used to develop new tissue.  This tissue was then implanted into the scarred portions of the heart.  In patients who had this procedure was done, doctors observed a significant improvement; over two years, nearly 70% of the scar tissue had regenerated.  Patients who did not participate saw little to no improvement.  It’s crazy to think that healthy tissue generated by your own body could help essentially rebuild organs.  My grandmother passed away due to complications from cystic fibrosis, which is passed genetically.  It also skips generations, so my cousins and I are at a higher risk for it.  It’s wild to think that people with cystic fibrosis could eventually be able to regrow lung tissue and live a healthy life.