I'm a huge fan of the show NOVA that is on PBS, I have our DVR set to record all of the new episodes. (I may be a jock but the other half of me is a nerd) The episode on March 28th was about how the cost of getting ones DNA information has dropped tremendously over the past five years. The show then discusses the pluses and minuses of knowing ones risks for disease.
Diabetes wise I have been looking all over the internet at sites that discuss diabetes and the human genome. The first site that I found has supplied me with a lot of information WellcomeTrust an English based website, has a ton of information and a section of the site dedicated to diabetes. The second website is in a pdf format and provides a ton of information as well. The website can be visited by clicking here.
Before I go in to the main part of this blog I would like to remind the reader that these are my personal opinions. I'm not an expert or a doctor, however I do have an autoimmune disease that may be caused by genetic, environmental, or other factors. This does put me in an interesting position with the topic in hand however, these are my personal thoughts as someone who has been living with diabetes for twenty-three years.
My life with diabetes has been a very interesting one, it has made me who I am today. I have always said that if a cure was found for diabetes that I would not sign up to receive it. I was given this disease for a reason, it has almost killed me but at the same time it has saved my life and made me a better person. With that said I would never wish diabetes upon anyone, it is a very tough disease and I honestly get a little choked up every time I hear that a child is diagnosed with the disease. In my mind the disease ruins childhood for anyone diagnosed before college, so much goes in to controlling the disease that a "normal" childhood is almost impossible. Yes the child with disease can do anything but they don't have the luxury of doing things at the spur of the moment. If they want to go play with friends they need to have supplies with them and make sure that their blood sugar level will allow them to play without any worry.
Personally I would love to know my genome sequence, I would find it very interesting and would love to know what is going on inside of my body. Knowing that I was at a higher risk for certain diseases would certainly change how I lived. However I would not take any drugs to prevent the disease that I may be at high risk for. I feel that my body was made to be a certain way, I wouldn't want to change my destiny. I know that this paragraph contradicts itself in a way but I honestly want to know my body's future. I want to know that I may develop another chronic disease so when it does happen I'm mentally prepared.
These are my feelings, I know that everyone's feelings on this matter are different. I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and to ask any questions if they have them.
Diabetes wise I have been looking all over the internet at sites that discuss diabetes and the human genome. The first site that I found has supplied me with a lot of information WellcomeTrust an English based website, has a ton of information and a section of the site dedicated to diabetes. The second website is in a pdf format and provides a ton of information as well. The website can be visited by clicking here.
Before I go in to the main part of this blog I would like to remind the reader that these are my personal opinions. I'm not an expert or a doctor, however I do have an autoimmune disease that may be caused by genetic, environmental, or other factors. This does put me in an interesting position with the topic in hand however, these are my personal thoughts as someone who has been living with diabetes for twenty-three years.
My life with diabetes has been a very interesting one, it has made me who I am today. I have always said that if a cure was found for diabetes that I would not sign up to receive it. I was given this disease for a reason, it has almost killed me but at the same time it has saved my life and made me a better person. With that said I would never wish diabetes upon anyone, it is a very tough disease and I honestly get a little choked up every time I hear that a child is diagnosed with the disease. In my mind the disease ruins childhood for anyone diagnosed before college, so much goes in to controlling the disease that a "normal" childhood is almost impossible. Yes the child with disease can do anything but they don't have the luxury of doing things at the spur of the moment. If they want to go play with friends they need to have supplies with them and make sure that their blood sugar level will allow them to play without any worry.
Personally I would love to know my genome sequence, I would find it very interesting and would love to know what is going on inside of my body. Knowing that I was at a higher risk for certain diseases would certainly change how I lived. However I would not take any drugs to prevent the disease that I may be at high risk for. I feel that my body was made to be a certain way, I wouldn't want to change my destiny. I know that this paragraph contradicts itself in a way but I honestly want to know my body's future. I want to know that I may develop another chronic disease so when it does happen I'm mentally prepared.
These are my feelings, I know that everyone's feelings on this matter are different. I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and to ask any questions if they have them.
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