23andme

What has our world come to? I find it amazing that websites like 23andme even exist, let alone make a profit.  Although I can see how it can be a huge step for technology, and I guess even for mankind, to be able to develop and use the Internet for companies like this one, I am still left shocked and appalled when I learn about them. 

    23andme is something I am not sure I agree with.  Although many, many people may find it beneficial, or at least interesting, to have their genes read like some modern-day crystal ball, I think it is ludicrous that this website has the audacity to tell people their predicted date and cause of death, based off of family genealogy. 

     I am actually more stunned that there hasn’t been a lawsuit over this yet.  As mentioned in class, if insurance companies are able to get a hold of this information, would they be able to use it against a person and deny them insurance? Or would this information even be credible enough to actually be applied in real life? Also, if someone dies from an alternate cause, (besides a freak accident), than the one given by this so-called prediction, is 23andme reliable for not ‘seeing’ a premature death? 

    I feel as though in today’s culture it is very risky to start up a company like 23andme. Even though it is on the cusp of new technology, is it worth the potential risk to society or to the people who use it? I know that if I were to have my genes read and it was predicted that I would live a long healthy life, I would be very happy, but on the other hand, if it were predicted that I would die young of heart disease, I would be depressed and would spend a lot of free time getting checked out by doctors.  

    Overall, this website really boggles my mind.  I do not whether or not I agree with it, or if it even has the capability of being accurate at all.  Since there are so many questions up in the air, I am definitely going to personally avoid it, however I hope that it is able to produce some type of good, or at least an advancement in science.