Would you want to know?

[Ed62]

I think it was one of the founders of Google who had DNA testing done to see if he was likely to get a dreaded health issue in his life. I don't remember what it was, but he is one of the unlucky (lucky?) ones to find out he is. I guess the good thing about it for him is the fact that he's young, and can probably fund a lot of research that might help him.

I don't think I'd want to know what lies ahead for me. I'll just take it as it comes. How could a person live a happy life knowing the has a high probability for something like that? Would you want to know?

Ed

[dlminehart]

Well, life is tough for all of us -- no one escapes alive! I'd hope that, after getting my head around the unfairness of the prospect of dying younger than normal, I'd be able to put those remaining years to better use.

[Daryl]

I think if there was a family history of, say heart disease or cancer or such, I would want to know so I could make an informed decision as to future planning.

[LinuxRandal]

Well, life is tough for all of us -- no one escapes alive! I'd hope that, after getting my head around the unfairness of the prospect of dying younger than normal, I'd be able to put those remaining years to better use.

Exactly. Some people would use that information, to live life to the fullest. Others would get that information and mope, then B&M about the inevitable rise of insurance.
There are other things that I would like to know, that DNA isn't up to yet. There is also the fact that knowing you have a higher propensity for something, doesn't mean you will actually get or become it. DNA mixes as generations go on, you could (as far as we know), both have a higher propensity for something, and from another side, have a higher immunity for that same thing.