8/11/2006; 2:30:48 AM

And so Gattica begins ...
For anyone who has not seen the movie Gattica, I can only suggest they they rent it and watch. It includes a wide range of very interesting perspectives on the implications of our advances in understanding genetics, and some of the social and community issues that will develop. One of the core conflicts is that of unstoppable genetic discrimination ...

We are on the verge of having some of the technology to create many of the scenarios that are shown in Gattica ... at one point in the movie they even show a "corner store" that provides instant genetic analysis. Although this seems sophisticated and a ways off, the ability of a corporation to do this type of analysis - even if it takes days - is just around the corner. The article below shows that this is something coming quickly ... and Gattica explains why these types of laws are going to be difficult to enforce. Go rent the movie ...

Insurers barred from using genetic tests. The Times Oct 23 2001 6:32PM ET [Genetics news]