23 and Me and Genes Essay

Total Length: 671 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

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Genetics testing has become a recent innovation in figuring out one's probability of becoming ill and also helps people figure out their roots, where their ancestors were from. Anne Wojciciki, the founder and CEO of 23 and Me Inc. has developed a way for regular people to order a personal genetic testing kit where they can spit and within a short time learn what they could be susceptible for and where they originate. While this may be fun to see where one comes from in terms of race and geographic area, it may not be as exciting when it comes to health outcomes. If someone is, for example, a carrier of the BRCA1 gene, a mutation that dramatically increases the risk of breast cancer, this fun experience could quickly become one of terror and fear.

Some people do not want to know what they may die of and genetics testing not only gives one exactly what they might die of, but also the chances. Still, it is not a certainty that the person carrying whatever gene could contract the disease. Even though genetics testing could be a scary experience, it is better to know than not know. This because when one knows, prevention then takes the forefront.


Angelina Jolie discovered she had the BRCA1 gene in 2012. After she discovered it thanks to genetics testing, she opted for a double mastectomy. "The procedure is only recommended for patients with a very high risk of breast cancer. A mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes give women between a 45 and 90 per cent chance of developing breast cancer" (Cooper, 2014). Some people may think it extreme that someone would do something like this. However, in reality she was just doing what enabled the best possible outcome, no breast cancer. With her mom having died of breast cancer and her aunt dying just two weeks after Jolie got the mastectomy, preventative efforts in Jolie's case could very have saved her life.

The founder of 23 and Me, Wojcicki, found out after her significant other got tested, that he could develop Parkinson's in the future. While Parkinson's is not as deadly as cancer, it severely affects the person and the ones they love. It is great that she not only supports her significant other by taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of Parkinson's, but also acknowledges that knowing this….....

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