The recent decoding of the human genome has lead to advances in determining genetic risk profiles for particular illnesses. The best known and scientifically credible discovery is the link between the BRCA genes and the development of breast cancer.
Now there are three companies offering genetic tests to determine one’s vulnerability to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression. Tests for Anxiety Disorders cannot be far behind.
The companies marketing these tests obviously believe that they are reliable and accurate. But the scientific community has been almost universally opposed to the tests.
Are there reliable genetic tests for mental illnesses given the current knowledge of the human genome? Can there ever be reliable tests? And what about the ethical questions genetic tests raise? All these issues and more are discussed in this post.
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