What does our genetic code tell us?

This Wednesday, 19/12/2007, there will be a scientific and moral discussion on genetic prediction in Hamada * How will we ensure that the genetic information that the various authorities will accumulate about us will not be used against us * Background material for the discussion

We have known for a long time that the genes we carry in each of our body cells greatly influence our lives. One defective gene can cause a heart attack at a young age. As a result of a defect in another gene, we may lose the light of our eyes. Even our children are not immune to the influence of our private gardens. Some of the genetic tests offered today in hospitals try to determine whether we should marry this or that woman, and what our chances are of having a healthy child together.

Decoding the human genome was not an easy task, which took several years. But with the improvement of technology, we are not far from the day when we can within a few hours receive the same document, which contains the building instructions for our body. But this is still a secret code. We cannot read the same building instructions for our own Tower of Babel. It consists of four repeating letters - A, C, T and G - and only the molecular machines found in our cells can turn the hidden code into active proteins that break down and reassemble cells and even whole tissues.

The human genome project ended in April 2003 and lasted 13 years. In these 13 years, the researchers produced the body's instruction book - the genetic code common to all human beings. We still do not know the full meaning of each of the 30,000 genes revealed in the project (note, the number is controversial and is updated from study to study, such as the one that stated thatWe have just over 20 thousand genes. A.B.). The operation of many genes is still not understood by us, but thousands of laboratories all over the world are working day and night on the deciphering of that greatest secret script in the world. Indeed, the day is not far when we can browse the human genome and read it as if it were a book before bed. This person has a good chance of developing skin cancer. This woman will be bald by the age of 40. Your child, dear sir, is lazy. You can clearly see this in his genes.

What will be the effects on society?

We can imagine a situation where insurance companies force their customers to release the information contained in their genetic code into their possession. People whose genetic code indicates excessive recklessness will surely have to pay a considerable amount on their car insurance. Other people, whose genetic code indicates an extremely increased risk of heart disease, may not be able to find adequate health insurance at all. Employers will refuse to hire workers whose genetic code can be found with 'criminal' genes - those that may lead to addiction to dangerous substances, or that encourage violence.

Such an abundance of information can be very harmful if it falls into the wrong hands. Only recently was a study published claiming that the gene responsible for human generosity was discovered. Imagine what would happen if the information about the people carrying this gene was widely distributed. All the scoundrels of the world - and every typical schnorer - will flock to the doorstep of those genetic benefactors. Most likely those generous people will quickly learn that generosity is in their nature, at least in this case.

If so, who can be trusted to hold in his hands that most precious treasure of all - our medical present and future?

The government believes in protecting the public, and therefore it can be argued that the genetic code of every citizen should be entrusted to it. At the same time, what will happen once the security authorities and the police can label people under categories such as: 'prone to violence', 'not considerate of others', 'reckless to the point of criminal negligence', etc.? Will a person whose genes indicate a tendency to violence be allowed to enter discotheques? probably not. Is it true or fair? good or bad? It's hard to say.

It is possible that we can only trust ourselves, that we will take good care of our genetic code. But what about the genetic code of our children? Will parents be allowed to peek into the intricacies of the womb, extract from there the characteristics of the developing fetus and decide its fate - to continue the pregnancy or undergo an abortion? What will be the criteria according to which the parents will be allowed to decide on aborting the fetus? It is clear that there are cases in which it is better to have an early abortion. In these cases, usually the genetic code of the fetus has gone wrong in such a severe and sweeping way that the fetus will not survive the birth. But will the parents be allowed to punish the fetus just because his genes indicate his inability to deal with differential equations of the fourth order or higher? Or maybe because the soft baby's genes show 'stubbornness' and unwillingness to obey the social restrictions imposed on women in certain societies?

All of these, of course, are horror scenarios of the worst kind. But we must not ignore the other side of the coin.

Imagine a society where all human beings are kind and generous to each other. In which everyone loves everyone equally, and is not ready to resort to violence towards each other. In such a company you can walk around the most neglected alleys in Tel Aviv in the dark of night, without fear of robbers or drug addicts. There are almost no more drug addicts - fetuses that have a high chance of becoming addicted to dangerous substances, are aborted in the first days of their formation. There are no more robbers - fetuses that have genes for laziness, or lack of empathy, or violence, are simply not born anymore. The strict genetic screening selects them while still in their mother's womb, and prevents them from being born.

No more heart disease. No one is too fat, too thin or too short. Everyone is exactly the right height, the right weight, the right shape. There are no more hereditary diseases. They passed away. Sickle cell anemia, breast cancer, congenital deafness and blindness, disabilities and genetic defects - all of these are no longer present. All thanks to genetic screening.

No more genocides. Hitler and Stalin would not have been born in such a society. There is no Ahmadinejad who will threaten, lie and claim that "there are no homosexuals in our country like you have in America". And who knows? If Ahmadinejad could genetically screen the embryos in his country, he might indeed have succeeded in preventing the birth of homosexual babies.

But even when we weigh the advantages, even when we weigh the disadvantages, we must see reality as it is. Currently, it is very difficult to find a single gene - or even a set of genes - that we can say is responsible for certain traits. The gene for laziness or diligence, violence or kindness has not yet been discovered. Even if such genes were discovered, the existence of which is still in doubt, their effect would have been statistical only. Do we reserve the right to determine a person's fate based on a 50:50 chance of being a criminal or a law-abiding citizen?

Different factions in Judaism claim that people have an innate tendency. A person born with a penchant for blood can grow up to be a murderer, or he can become a butcher or sap who serves his community faithfully. Even if genes are discovered that predispose a person to violence and murder, can we ignore the possibility that providing a proper education in childhood will cause him to become a law-abiding citizen?

Do we dare to take the risk?

There is no doubt that the issue of genetic screening is complicated and complex, and everyone has something to say on the subject. Readers are invited to a panel discussion to be held in Tel Aviv next week on genetic prediction, information protection and privacy. The discussion will be held in the Hebrew language, in the format of open discussions with the participation of a team of experts and the audience. The discussion will be moderated by Arad Nir, editor and news presenter on Channel 2.

The participants in the panel will be:
• British researcher Dr. Armand Leroy, who is coming to Israel specifically to participate in the discussion. Dr. LeRoy is a genetics researcher from Imperial College London, a filmmaker and a writer of popular science books. Known for his books "Mutants" serves as the basis for a TV documentary series on the subject, and his film "What Makes Us Human?" Aired this month on Channel 8.
• Prof. Eitan Friedman, director of the oncogenetics unit at Tel Hashomer and host of TV segments on health issues
• Attorney Gali Ben Or from the Ministry of Justice
• Dr. Yehuda Meltzer, philosopher and CEO of the "Attic Books" publishing house.

The discussion is one of a series of scientific discussions within the regional science project of the British Council - Beautiful Science. As part of the project, the British Council brings up for discussion scientific-social issues that are on the public agenda, and organizes other events involving young scientists and a wide audience, such as the Famelab competition that will be held in 2008 between the months of March and May.

The exact date for the discussion: December 19, 19:00 p.m., Hamada Center, 7 Pardes St., Tel Aviv. The general public is invited and admission is free, but recommended Register in advance on the website