CLONING, GENE THERAPY, AND THE COMING MEDICAL REVOLUTION
As he chats with the young mother, the doctor flicks a cotton swab into the mouth of her infant son, he inserts the sample into a machine, which extracs DNA from the mucus cells and compares it with the genetic material on a dime – size chip. Minutes later a computer printer begins to spit out a list of the infant’s genes. Fortunately, all but a few of the genes are labeled “normal”. It is those few that the doctor discusses as he explains the result to the mother. “You son’s genetic inheritance is generally good, “ he says, “but he is somewhat predisposed to skin lesions. So starting right away; he should be protected againts excessive exposure to the sun. “and the doctor warns, “he may well be susceptible to cardiovascular disease later in life. To lessen his risk, after about age two he should be lifelong low – fat, high – fiber diet.”
Jaroff, 1663, p.24) Read the rest of this entry »



