Posted: August 1st, 2015

Biology Discussion board

Biology Discussion board

After reading the linked article below please discuss the following question.  Researchers have identified certain gene mutations that indicate a high likelyhood of developing the inherited form of alzheimer’s disease later in life.  Screening for these mutations could lead to early treatment of the disease and a prolonging of neuronal health.  Of course, once these mutations have been detected, they would become part of a person’s health reacord.  The question is, who should have access to this type of information and how should it be used?  For example, is it acceptible for health insurance or life insurance companies to have access to this informaton and use it to deny coverage or raise premiums?  Would you want to know if you had this mutation?

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110722/full/news.2011.433.html