The complexity of genetics

As a medical student, I am currently in the process of learning a lot more about genetics than I had ever thought existed. The sheer complexity and volume of information we are being taught (and we’re barely scratching the surface) is almost enough to make me give up on ever really understanding genetics. There is so much knowledge to gain on the subject – and the rate at which more knowledge is being added to the pool is astounding – that it may seem to be too much.

How can I attempt to understand this large pool of information with clarity and confidence enough to form an opinion about the use of genetic technology? Furthermore, I am required to try and learn this information because, as a student, it is all I really have to do; almost all of my time is spent in this learning. How can people with a basic working knowledge of the sciences, but also with families, hobbies, and jobs of their own, really take the time to understand the complex and ever-changing world of genetics?

There is a seemingly insurmountable mountain of information to learn, and yet, we must climb this mountain to become informed enough to know about genetics, think about genetics, and become active in our society with respect to genetic issues. How should we approach this? How can we frame it so that even those with little time can have the opportunity and motivation to learn at least a little about this growing field which will (and already has) affected us all?

Parth, IHC Facilitator

Kickoff!

Tonight’s presentation was a great start to the Future Perfect program series. The panelists and audience raised a number of important questions that simply cannot be resolved in just a two-hour production. This blog exists to continue that discussion in an interactive community based format. After every event, a facilitator will post a brief summary for anyone who missed the event or wants a quick reminder. While the facilitator will then suggest several possible topics of discussion, please use this space to discuss anything related to genetics. Attendance at the event is certainly not a requirement for posting – the genetics revolution will affect us all, and we should all have something to say about it.

Jon Miller of Michigan State University described a growing body of technical knowledge that citizen’s will be expected to know to partake in the democratic process. The American democratic tradition allows us, citizens, to influence public policy and the government will need to set and change many policies to account for the scientific advances of the genetic revolution. There is a substantial discrepancy between the technical needs of the average 18^th century farmer and the modern 21^st century city-dweller. Are we up to the challenge of educating ourselves and others? And how are we to do it? What happens to a democracy if citizens do not know enough to elect or censure our officials?

Rex Chisholm of Northwestern University presented a bit of the technical side of the issue. Differences in an individual’s genes can cause disease, prevent disease, and influence the effectiveness of medical treatment. Modern medicine has just begun to tap into the ability to tailor treatment regimens for each individual patient, but where should we stop? Or should we? Treating patients more effectively will save lives, but there are issues of privacy – what if your boss knew you were at high risk for a heart attack, what if your insurance knew? What if you could pick the gender of your children? Would you?

Liz Lerman, a choreographer and performer, brought to light some of the humane aspects of the genetic revolution. The debate about genetics should not be relegated to public policy, it’s bigger than that and more complicated. It will touch our daily lives and may change the way we think about each other and about those ‘big questions’ of free will and destiny. Art might be able to help us achieve harmony with the perplexing aspects of science, it may allow us to internalize it on a more personal level. Can art do this, can it help resolve some of the personal and social turmoil which might result from genetic science? Can it bring genetics to a broad public audience?

Feel free to respond to these or any other thoughts or concerns raised by the program tonight or genetics in general. If you would like more information about some part of the science, address a facilitator and we’ll be happy to help.

 To Post:  While it may be a bit confusing, you can post easily by clicking below on the blue word ‘comment’.

Eric

Facilitator

 

Welcome!

Hi! Thanks for visiting IHC’s Future Perfect Blog. We are looking forward to an exciting year of dialogue about the genetics revolution and where it’s taking us.

This blog will be open to all discussion about genetics but will focus especially on the themes presented during the Future Perfect series. For more information on the series schedule, go to www.prairie.org/genetics. But please don’t hesitate to contribute even if you did not attend the event. Everyone is welcome to comment.

The first program in the series, “Why Should We Care About Genetics?” took place Tuesday September 26, 2006 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Theatre. Presented as a town hall meeting, the program featured:

Rex Chisholm, Ph.D., Director, Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University

Liz Lerman, Founding Artistic Director, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

Jon Miller, Ph.D., John A. Hannah Professor of Integrative Studies, Michigan State University

We look forward to an engaging and dynamic discussion on this and other programs ahead.

Amanda, Eric, Parth

Future Perfect Blog Facilitators