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As part of the Risk exhibition in the Science Gallery Dublin during the summer, Futureproof presenter Jonathan McCrea decided to make himself the guinea pig and undergo genetic testing in front of a live audience.
With a history of Alzheimer’s in his family, Jonathan is particularly worried that he may be at risk of developing the disease, "My father is very sharp and I'm told so was my grandmother before him. I saw how that disease affected her, though, and that scared me."
The recent US court ruling against the company Myriad Genetics, who tried to claim a patent over the BRCA cancer genes (now known as the ‘Angelina Jolie’ gene since the actress revealed she carries it), means genetic testing is set to become even more of a level playing field.
10 weeks prior to the broadcast Jonathan sent his saliva sample to a personal genomics corporation in the U.S. Once an expensive, time-consuming and exclusive procedure, testing can now be performed for less than the cost of a filling.
San Francisco-based personal genomics company 23andMe provide partial sequencing of DNA and provide online results on genes known to be factors for over 200 inherited diseases for just €75 plus postage.
Any one of us can take the test; the question is whether or not we should?
Before Jonathan found out the results he underwent genetic counselling in front of the 300-strong audience gathered at The Science Gallery. “Once you decide to find out, there’s no going back...you can’t put that genie back in the bottle,” genetic counsellor Tara O’Neill explained.
Dr Kevin Mitchell, a geneticist and neuroscientist from Trinity College Dublin explored the genetic traits that Jonathan unique, such as, what percentage Neanderthal he is; whether he contains a certain gene that nearly all Olympian athletes are said to have; and more bizarrely, how wet his ear wax is.
In the final section of the show, clinical geneticist Dr Shane McKee from Belfast City University delivered a very real prognosis on the more serious conditions. There are some genes that have great significance when it comes to disease.
But what do people do with the knowledge that they are in the high risk category for heart disease, or breast cancer? If people are found to be genetically pre-disposed to certain conditions, should health insurers be informed and would premiums rise as a result?
"I can't get breast cancer myself – well, certainly not the most prevalent types – but I may be passing a gene to my daughters," says Jonathan. "That can be a big factor when it comes to having kids. Many cystic fibrosis sufferers choose not to have children if they are likely to suffer from it too." It’s a dilemma that may become all too common in the future.
Listen to the show IN FULL here:
