In this article, Ahmad Hariri, is using links between
people’s genetic code and their behavioral characteristics or responses to
certain stimuli. Patients were place in a fMRI machine and asked questions
about their personal history, drug and alcohol use, and stressful experiences.
In another they were asked to guess weather the number on a card would be high
or low and they were rewarded with money for getting it right. Hariri then
compares their responses to their DNA and looks for links among patients. This is
much faster than the traditional ways of research.
Hariri has already found associations between people with a
short copy of the serotonin transporter gene and anxiety-related disorders.
Hariri wants to make a “comprehensive genetic test for the mind”. This test
could show how well a person would react to certain drugs. It would also serve
as a warning to people by warning them that they are more prone to certain
psychological problems. For example, some people that Hariri found were more
prone to anxiety, but only if they did not have a strong social support.
Therefor they could make sure to surround themselves by loved ones and friends.
I am extremely interested in research like this. For there
to someday be a diagnostic test that can be run simply from a person’s DNA is
amazing. Babies could have their DNA tested at birth and the information could
be passed on the parents to assist in raising them. For example, if someone’s
DNA shows they have a strong tendency to drink, then their parents could know
that drinking will be a big issue they would have to address. Same can go for
anxiety and other psychological traits. By individually testing how certain DNA
components affect emotion, Hariri will most likely eventually be able to create
this (in my opinion).
I think this will create invaluable knowledge that may not
be directly known from family history or current psychological status.
I also think that this research is extremely interesting but it opens the door to a lot of moral questions about the amount of knowledge that the public should receive about a person. If it is found a person has a strong tendency toward aggressive actions, should people around them know? I think the research could be very helpful but it could also drastically change the way we interact with people.
ReplyDeleteI think this has a lot of implications. First, as you mentioned parents could be informed of their child's genetic predispositions in order to assist them in creating a family environment that meshes well with the child. For instance, if parents learn early on that their child is genetically predisposed to develop an eating disorder, they can attempt to create an environment that fosters a positive body image and high self esteem as these have been demonstrated to be protective factors.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there is obviously ethical issues with this. It would be imperative for parents to understand that these predispositions do not equate to destiny. For instance, it could lead to an increase in abortions in cases where parents learn that their baby is genetically predisposed to debilitating disorders such as Autism, antisocial personality disorder, and schizophrenia.