Ronald Bailey: Do You Have a Right to Genetic Ignorance?
Whole genome testing is becoming ever cheaper and more widespread, enabling testing clinics to find not only the genetic mutations relevant to specific illnesses being investigated but also incidental genetic variants that may be associated with other disease risks. In response to this rapid progress, a panel of experts convened by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics issued a new policy statement in March on the medical and ethical implications of incidental genetic findings for patients and physicians. Some prominent bioethicists object to the college's recommendations, claiming that they violate your right to remain ignorant of your genetic risks. Reason Science Correspondent Ronald Bailey wonders if protecting genetic ignorance is such a good idea.
