Cracking Your Genetic Code | PBS America – Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKvIpRI7xdU

Cracking Your Genetic Code | PBS America
Cracking Your Genetic Code - 7.50pm, Wednesday 2 January 2013 on PBS America Sky channel 166 / Virgin Media 243 / http://www.pbsamerica.co.uk The human genome is a coded sequence of a person #39;s genetic make-up, defining the unique nature of the individual. The sequence is highly complex, and to produce it in a form that can be stored and analysed is a costly and difficult task. As Sarah Holt #39;s documentary shows, however, this is about to change. Recent technological advances indicate that within a few years the majority of us will be able to have our DNA structure read and available for analysis. The medical benefits are potentially enormous -- genetic information can be used to diagnose, cure and even prevent disease. The programme features a cancer patient who appears to have cheated death and a cystic fibrosis sufferer who can now breathe easily because scientists have been able to pinpoint and neutralise the genetic abnormalities underlying their conditions. As is frequently the case, however, the new technology raises many moral and ethical questions. Information of such a personal nature can only too easily fall into the wrong hands. Should insurance companies or prospective employers be aware of our genetic abnormalities -- indeed, should we be aware of them ourselves? Would we want to know, for example, that the chances of our contracting Alzheimer #39;s in later life are far greater than the average? One thing is for certain -- scientific advances, for better or worse ...From:PBSukchannelViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:47More inScience Technology

Link:
Cracking Your Genetic Code | PBS America - Video