Posted by alexandra_k on September 26, 2006, at 23:05:33
In reply to Re: genetics of schizophrenia, posted by notfred on September 26, 2006, at 21:38:09
> Maths aside this part is very troubling:
> if the haplotype were - in theory - eliminated from the Icelandic populationThere are different ways that they could go about eliminating the gene in practice.
One option would be to screen pre-embryos and turn off the gene.
Another option (more controversial) would be to only implant embryos that didn't have the gene.
Another option (even more controversial) would be... Well I'm sure I don't need to say it... It is the latter option that I find most... Frightening.
The trouble is that it seems that a number of people with the gene don't get schizophrenia and also that a number of people without the gene do get schizophrenia. I'm not sure on the ethics of eliminating the gene because only around 14% of people with the gene develop schiozphrenia. Generally speaking... Genetic diversity is a good thing. It makes human beings (as a species) more resistent to mass extinction in the face of radical environmental change...In practice I'm sure the drug companies are more interested in discovering the developmental effects of the genes. So they can develop expensive medications that counter the developmental effects. More money in that over the long haul, I would imagine...
poster:alexandra_k
thread:689461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060919/msgs/689498.html