If there were a wonder gene

[Kulindahr]

... how much would you pay to get it copied into you?


I just caught the end of an item on the History Channel that claims a doctor who tracked down the gene that made people immune to the Black Death found that it makes people immune to a bunch of other diseases, including HIV/AIDS. I didn't hear the list itself, but the summary said it covered nearly every really bad disease known to mankind.

That's a kind of wonder gene. I know we're not to the place technologically where we can just copy it into people, but pretend for a moment we were. How much would you be willing to pay to get it for yourself? If you have kids, how much would you be willing to pay per kid to get it for them?

Or if it could only be given to those not yet born, by altering their genome while in embryo stage -- how should it be handled?

 

[rareboy]

Funny you should ask this today.

I think that I am rejecting the implant from surgery two weeks ago.

The entire thing is complicated by genetic hepatobiliary conditions...including the likelihood of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.



What would I pay. What would I pay?

 

[Benvolio]

It would not be good for people to live long unless they stayed young in all respects. World is already too crowded, and old people would crowd out the young.

 

[MisterMajestic]

Are you sure you wasnt watching a commercial for Wonder Bread?

I ain't paying but $3.50 for a loaf of bread...If it's 2 days old I want it half-price...

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

... how much would you pay to get it copied into you?


I just caught the end of an item on the History Channel that claims a doctor who tracked down the gene that made people immune to the Black Death found that it makes people immune to a bunch of other diseases, including HIV/AIDS. I didn't hear the list itself, but the summary said it covered nearly every really bad disease known to mankind.

That's a kind of wonder gene. I know we're not to the place technologically where we can just copy it into people, but pretend for a moment we were. How much would you be willing to pay to get it for yourself? If you have kids, how much would you be willing to pay per kid to get it for them?

Or if it could only be given to those not yet born, by altering their genome while in embryo stage -- how should it be handled?

world ova great folks ask so many a thang
but

anyway

me ear lands got wata ons tap ans stuff
but

 

[Kulindahr]

It would not be good for people to live long unless they stayed young in all respects. World is already too crowded, and old people would crowd out the young.

What???

What does living long have to do with being immune to a lot of diseases?

 

[Kulindahr]

To stay on topic... I'm not sure how much I'd pay for something like that. Truth be told, I probably wouldn't want it.

Whoa -- I can't imagine not wanting to be immune to just about all of the nasty diseases in the world. Just knowing I was safe from AIDS would be worth a thousand, I think.

 

[Kulindahr]

He clearly hasn't considered that many of the worlds most troublesome diseases effect the younger in society. Chickenpox, Measles, Mumps, Polio and Rubella all tend to effect the very young, and HIV is generally caught by the most sexually active. The black death was known to have been more devastating to those under 40.

It sounds almost as if Benvolio thinks we shouldn't bother combatting diseases until after we have discovered the fountain of youth.

Or at all, with the comment about the world being too crowded. Of course he's right about that.

 

[rareboy]

What???

What does living long have to do with being immune to a lot of diseases?

For Benvolio, it means there are too damn many immigrants. lol

 

[kallipolis]

I know people in their sixties who are in better health, living a more rewarding life than many in their twenties leading me to appreciate that our age does not determine the quality of our life.

A wonder gene could be a panacea for many of the ills that prematurely destroy the health, even the life of countless people yet, open the door to irresponsible, self destructive behaviour which would counter act the benefits of a wonder gene.

As the average life span of the human person has grown, so also has the realisation that length of life is much less relevant to our happiness, than our investment in creating a life worth living for.

At a time when worldwide prescriptions for anti-depressant medication has reached epidemic levels it should be said that our happiness, good health and well being are much more to do with our choices, and responses to our daily trials than fear of contracting, or developing a terminal illness.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

newton wanna put da apple back

defo gravity aint make differace

* Job openin Baby sitta fa human male ( race ) *

ha

right how many sand grain a thinkin left?
# 1 #
Kool

thankyou

 

[Kulindahr]

Just to clarify, I didn't get the impression that this disease protected against cancer, only against invaders from outside the body (pathogens). So I think it wouldn't affect Alzheimer's or arthritis, though it would probably protect against ebola and the flu as much as against HIV.

 

[YourBoyMatt]

mmm wonder bread

 

[bankside]

What is such a gene worth?

It would be worth the value of effective treatment, plus an additional amount for the convenience of not having to take the treatment, less a value for the inconvenience of having to have my dna reprogrammed, all multiplied by the probability of acquiring one of the infectious diseases mentioned.

At least in the aggregate. Most people will pay more to insure against unlikely things with sufficiently unpleasant consequences.

 

[palbert]

...[portion deleted before and after quote]....
I just caught the end of an item on the History Channel that claims a doctor who tracked down the gene that made people immune to the Black Death found that it makes people immune to a bunch of other diseases, including HIV/AIDS. I didn't hear the list itself, but the summary said it covered nearly every really bad disease known to mankind.

Rather than talk all around it and impress a monetary value on it, shouldn't we be searching out the original story?

I googled today and came up empty, at least for content that I thought matched the discussion.

^^Thanks Mitchymo for your meaningful contribution.

(Were such a drug in existence I conjecture we would have heard about it. Are we idiots?)

 

[Kulindahr]

(Were such a drug in existence I conjecture we would have heard about it. Are we idiots?)

What drug?

 

[MoufOfKhaos]

Yes, I would take it. Immunity is not immortality, and whoever suggests as much is a fool.

But to be free of the threat of disease, preventable or not? You bet your fucking life i'd take it.

 

[oakpope]

Funny you should ask this today.

I think that I am rejecting the implant from surgery two weeks ago.

The entire thing is complicated by genetic hepatobiliary conditions...including the likelihood of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.



What would I pay. What would I pay?

So sorry to read that
Have you seen yet your doctors ? Can the implant be changed safely ?

I hope you will be able to be well again as soon as possible.

Take care !

 

[oakpope]

As for the thread, thank you Mitchymo for your interesting insights (hot and knowledgeable, my god,I need restraint right now).

I think that if that possibility were to exit, in France it would be made available to all who would wish so, through our Social Security. We mutualize a part of our earnings so that medical care can be provided to anyone regardless of their income (well, it's the goal, the reality isn't quite the same alas).