Posted by Scott L. Schofield on January 29, 2000, at 21:57:00
In reply to Re: "Suicide linked to defective gene", posted by Adam on January 28, 2000, at 18:54:36
> > The researchers found a mutation in the gene encoding for the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, a protein that transmits brain signals, which more than doubles the risk of suicidal behaviour in those who carry it.
> I think this is wonderful. This is exactly the kind of information we need.
This *is* wonderful. It looks as though things are beginning to come together... PLEASE!
> I have had problems with suicidal ideation and OCD much of my life. The 5-HT2A receptor is implicated in both. While on Serzone (nefazodone), a 5-HT2A antagonist, my condition worsened so badly so quickly I felt like I was losing my mind. I have wondered about that coincidence so much. What happened to me?> Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were a test some day that maybe said, at the very least, "keep this man off of nefazodone. Give him (drugX) instead. It works for people with this mutation."
> I think once the paper gets published I may try to find out if I have the mutation (or one similar) myself.
That would certainly be worth a blurb in some medical journal.
> I worry that future diagnostics based on such information could be used unethically too, but as far as I can see, we're already faced with that issue, since numerous, incontrovertable correlations between mutations and disease already exist, including neurological diseases. The genie is already out of the bottle.> Such discoveries WILL come, more and more, at a faster and faster pace, as the human genome is completely sequenced and the differentials are exposed. Mark my words, the information revolution that gives us Dr. Bob and the WWW has facilitated the next big revolution, one far more radical, IMO: the genomic revolution. It won't be that long before there are complete databases on just about everything that makes you tick. That knowledge will give a certain subset of the population an enormous amount of power over you, for good or ill. Please, please, please: Go to the polls. Go to debates. Vote for candidates and laws that uphold medical ethics which will protect us all from depredation and denial.
GENOMIC REVOLUTION - Your words are marked and they do scare me.
Thanks Adam.
Very much.
- Scott
poster:Scott L. Schofield
thread:19909
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000128/msgs/20039.html