posted on November 27, 2001 12:57:19 PM
I wonder how many employers are drooling over the ability to weed out prospective employees that have a high liklihood of premature heart failure ? As these genetic breakthroughs mount, I think a genetic underclass will be created.
posted on November 27, 2001 01:39:01 PM
I'm sure that the possibility for abuse exists. Discrimination based on physical and mental weaknesses is something that will have to be examined. The whole field of genetics with its resulting applications is both wildly exciting and scarey.
posted on November 27, 2001 06:53:44 PM
While I too think gentic research is exciting and holds much promise, discovering the genetic markers long before any curitive measures are available will leave many people exposed to various forms of discrimination.
As Helen points out, insurance is certainly one area these markers will be used in.
It seems Hilary Clinton's universal health care proposal while First lady was not wrong, just premature.
It will be quite interesting if she is in the Senate when the health insurance system begins using markers to cherry pick for coverage.
A staggering number of people in this country don't have health insurance. They cannot get the medical attention that they need and nothing is being done about it. The insurance industry would love to have the genetic information that you are discussing in order to reduce liability and increase profits.
I hope that Hilary will be more successful in the future!
Helen
Exerpt...
"But when a single mother can't take her child to the doctor because her job doesn't provide health insurance and she can't afford the visit on her own, then yes, the government should do something about that. Such is the raison d'etre of government."
There are millions of people in this country who currently don't have health insurance. Anyone on the edge of poverty can easily be thrown into destitution by an unexpected medical problem. Inadequate care--preventative and otherwise--plagues poor and lower-middle class families. People are not getting the medical attention they need, and it's a crisis with an obvious cause: profiteering by the insurance industry."
posted on November 27, 2001 07:41:59 PM
I love it when the detractors of universal health care point out how people in Canada have to be on a waiting list to get surgery etc..
But what they don't point out is that the reason there is no waiting list in the U.S. is because the poor are not allowed in the line to begin with.
The only people in "line" for care in the U.S. are those with insurance and the wealthy. I should think that those without health care would rather be on a waiting list than not be considered at all.
posted on November 27, 2001 08:09:23 PM
OMG you all are talking about another pet peeve of mine.
I am very much in favor of a national health care system ever since I lived in England. My experiences with the NHS were quite favorable compared to what's it like to live in the US with no insurance.
I believe a civilized society has an obligation to take care of its members that need health care. For people to go without health care in the USA is a shame.
