DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Betsy Risner — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:59:45 GMT

I was adopted as an infant. Yes, I would like to know what the DNA testing shows. The older I get the more concerned I become about health matters. I don't have a 'family history.' Three consecutive nights of indigestion set me to the hospital with fears of having a heart attack. Thankfully the tests were negative. I would also like to know my where my ancestors came from.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

ge``pa~ — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:40:38 GMT

I personally would not do any DNA Testing. I really do not want to know if I am predisposed to get genetic conditions. My parents were fairly healthy and thats all I need to know. I already am somewhat of a worrier -- and the last thing I need is more things to worry about. How can you enjoy your life if it is filled with worry? P.S Please give Ann Curry the rest of the afternoon off. That clip you showed this morning makes me think you are working that poor girl to death. With her doing the Today Show, Nightly News, and Dateline--she looks a bit tired. "But she always does a good job--thats why we love her."

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Bill, Washington, DC — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:40:56 GMT

As an adoptee, this is a God send. When I was adopted, my biological mother and father were in their mid-teens, so there were nearly four generations alive when I was born. Also, many of the diseases associated with a genetic predisposition were not even known at the time. I am grateful for the report and will be talking to my physician to find out how we can have this done.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Jayann Sepich, Carlsbad, New Mexico — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:03:29 GMT

DNA is of vital importance to me. My concern with your segment this morning is that people do not understand there is a vast difference between forensic DNA, used to solve crime, and the type of genetic profiling your show highlighted. I have become impassioned to see DNA used in its fullest potential to not only solve crimes, but to prevent crime and save lives. For the past three years I have been working to change our current DNA laws. (Please go to our website for more information on "Katie's Law", named after my murdered daughter) DNA, as used for forensic databasing contains no genetic information. Privacy is important, but people should understand that their privacy is NOT at risk through DNA databasing. I feel it is vital that your show explore all sides of this very important issue. Since my daughter was murdered, I have learned a great deal about DNA and the potential it holds. My home state of New Mexico passed "Katie's Law" in 2006, and implemented it on January 1, 2007. In the first eleven months, DNA taken upon felony arrest matched crime scene DNA in nine unsolved crimes--two homicides, two sexual assaults and five property crimes--in a state with a population of only about 1.2 million people. Twelve states have now passed laws to take DNA upon felony arrest, and as of today, similar legislation is being considered in sixteen more states, including New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois. This is an important issue being debated in the statehouses of sixteen states, and your viewers should be educated on this issue, and especially the difference between forensic DNA and genetic DNA profiling.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Ballance, Orlando, Florida — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:21:33 GMT

Yes! I would do this in a heartbeat. My father was adopted at birth and then died in Vietnam just after I was born. I'm very interested my family history!

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Ciel, Concord, California — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:33:13 GMT

I would love toget my DNA tested because there are some possibly inherited diseases in my family - some of which I can now work on (changing diet, etc) to minimize their effects or even prevent their appearance. On the other hand, I would be concerned about confidentiality and whether insurance companies would try to obtain the information and use it to exclude people from coverage. That would be devastating!

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Ditty Coogan, Middleboro, Ma 02346 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:56:30 GMT

DNA testing is very important to me. I just found out on Thursday, 3/13/08 that the man that I thougt was my father for over 50 years in not my biological father. My mother is type b blood, the man I have believe to be my father is type o blood and my blood type is A. It is impossible for him to be my father. I would like to know what is in my DNA that will tell me where my paternal ancestors came from and what genetic history I have. This report was very informative to me and I will seek out to have testing done.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Mike (Mojo) Sunrise,Fl — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:32:22 GMT

I like the idea, because if I know that I have a genetic condition like heart, mental, diabetes, Alzheimer etc. Then I would change my diet and exercise, and start take supplements like more vitamin C, antioxidants and whatever that has been found to help that particular type of condition. There are plenty of supplements that help many health conditions.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Tom, Phoenix, AZ — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:12:45 GMT

Yeah I would. 100%!!! I don't even care about all this predisposed stuff, knowing my DNA is just plain cool!!!

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Autumn Cerasani Phillip, Sacremento, California — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:04:44 GMT

Yes, I would do DNA testing to see if any medical conditions were passed down.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

uber bitsy, florida — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:07:00 GMT

I don't want to worry about conditions that I MIGHT face, especially if there isn't anything I can do about them. My bigger fear, though, is that it absolutely will be used against us at some point. Employers, insurance companies and the government will tell us in 15 or 20 years (maybe sooner) that they need to know what risk factors turn up in our DNA profiles. They'll use the excuses that it will save money or help them help us, etc. We'll be told that the information will be private, but it will be released to potential employers, insurers, maybe even corporations. We'll be told that it won't be used against us, and then it will be used to deny jobs, insurance, benefits of all kinds. The potential for abuse is horrifying. I am the last person to go in for conspiracy theories, and I don't think government is inherently evil, but this is the kind of thing that will gradually take away our last vestiges of privacy, and will be used to make our lives worse.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Chris Providence RI — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:43:12 GMT

I have eczema which is caused by genetics in my situation (as far as I can tell) and if it meant finding a cure for my eczema, Yeah I'd do it in a heartbeat.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

A. Jackson Memphis, TN — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:56:40 GMT

Yes, I would love to know. Preventive care is a huge part of living a long and healthy life, so why not. This would just better equip us to do so.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Barbara L. DelConte — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:16:38 GMT

I would like to have my dna tested so that I could plan for my future.I have one son and I would not ever put him through what I have been through for the past 11 years. I am 59 years of age and have had 11 years of terrible stress because a doctor failed to tell me my Mothers diagnose of vascular dementia. After getting my Mother home from the hospital(Presbyterian hospital in philadelphia, and rehabilitating her, we believed that she had diabetes and depression from loosing her husband, I sent my Mother to the local senior center thinking that it would help keep her mind occupied.I completely showered my Mother with love and affection and financially went in debt trying to please her.
A woman from the local senior center contacted police and said that I abused my Mother, charges were dismissed but she created a night mare.(she really thought my Mother had money from the way I was caring for her)
I was hand cuffed taken out of my home away from her after 5 years of caring for her. The courts took the house out of my name and Mother died 8 months later.
While out of my home a relative that I hadn't seen in 20 years retained a lawyer for a civil law suit stating that I took advantage of my Mother.
My parents had everything in order,
A Will, Durable power of attorney and Medical Representative. this adverse attorney terminated everthing without my knowledge and I am still fighting to get my home back. At this point everyone wants to shove it under the rug and I have been made the bad guy, they have even gone to the point of saying that I'm mental.The courts just want me to go away but I will fight for my Mothers dignity.They put charges against my record, I'm in the process of having them removed.They have went to extremes because of the courts unethical and corrupt behavior.
I have been trying to get the story out there to prevent this from ever happening to anyone else.
I would never want my son to go through this and that's why I would like dna.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Steven DeLano, Jackson, Michigan — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:16:58 GMT

Boy, does THIS ever hit home...I was adopted when I was 22 months old...I did not meet my biological parents until I was 38. There are some things that I know about their physical history, but, not nearly enough...In addition, my former Primary Care Physician thought that that I might have Marfans' Syndrome, so genetic testing would be of great benefit for someone like myself...

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Davra, Casselberry, Florida — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:44:01 GMT

Sure, I would do it. I have nothing to hide.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

L Redmond,Bay City, MI — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:53:40 GMT

I'd love to do it. Where can I get it done and how much does it cost?

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Brad, Fremont, CA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:48:00 GMT

I'd want to know want my chances are of giving a potential child live long problems with addiction or a deformity. I think its selfish to have children if you know that this is a good possibility.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Charles O, Gastonia, NC — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:22:50 GMT

I do not see a need for to go to the trouble of DNA testing when I can follow my family history and see the likenesses in health, stature, and personalities.

We can actually adjust ways by some of the mistakes that we think that they made: obesity, lack of exercise, bad personality traits, etc.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

linda Indianapolis, In. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:04:25 GMT

No, not really. There's enough to worry about today
without looking down the road. I try to take care of myself that should be enough.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Veronica, Dallas Texas — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:58:17 GMT

I would take the DNA tests. I want to know what may or may not be wrong with me, so that I can take the appropriate measures to ensure my offspring is taken care of.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Cincy Sue — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:41:26 GMT

I would be very interested in finding out what my DNA would show. And, I would especially like to know about my husband who was adopted when he was 10 days old. HOWEVER, since the cost is prohibitive I don't see this happening any time in my future, unless, like the people who are conspiritists are right and the government will eventually make DNA testing mandatory. Just think what could be done if we could identify persons who would eventually be sick and cause a medically financial burden on their family (or if they don't have insurance on the government) - well, it would be so easy to just euthanize them when they're first born.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Nick Graveline, Longmeadow Massachusetts — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:55:09 GMT

We're all going to die anyway. This kinda takes the fun out of it all!

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Crystal Eakins, Louisville, Mississippi — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:57:40 GMT

I am very interested in what my DNA would show. My family has alot of illnesses such as diabetes, I would also like to know about my family history.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Kathy — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:43:14 GMT

I have enough to be concerned about without having to worry about what diseases I may be dealing with in the future. Knowing my DNA makeup isn't likely to alter or extend my life. The only people I see benefiting from such a thing are the insurance companies - they would undoubedly use any available information to weed out individuals they wouldn't want to insure.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Dollybrains — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:21:55 GMT

To study things like this to possibly help find cures for diseases based on chromosonal info, and to use such as we do already in forensic science, is one thing, to sell it as "blueprints" to ones self, very narcisstic, and not wholly accurate, too many other factors not included to make any kind of rational based hypothesis towards anything having to do with the future of anyones anything . It is only science, not some sort of magic, fix everything and make it perfect wand. As Dolly the sheep has already proven.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Jennifer, Lanoka Harbor, NJ — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:57:26 GMT

No, I don't want to know. There is a history of cancer in my family, and my mom is a breast cancer survivor. I get regular mammograms and take care of myself. But if I knew I had the BRAC gene, I wouldn't have a pre-emptive mastectomy. I just wouldn't. I would continue to do what I am doing now. So I don't want to know. It's just my decision.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Jill, Lansing, MI — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:09:52 GMT

I'd be interested in knowing about my genetic make-up, but I don't like the risks to privacy that are bound to arise from DNA testing.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

silverfox — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:40:02 GMT

I'm with uber bitsy in Florida on this one. I LOVE the scientific possibilities of genetics but fear that big brother would have the tool it needs to create societal havoc. The dangers of your genetic profile in the wrong hands are enormous. Yes...it would be fun and informative to have my profile...but who else would get their hands on it? And, for what purpose? When I was in the pre-med program in college my interests were drawn to this field like a magnet. It still does. From a scientific perspective the field of DNA, specifically, holds the promise of so MANY positives in the health arena. BUT...I believe it should stay in that arena and any information gleaned from a person's DNA should be held more confidentially than one's bank pin number. The positive possibilities of this science are tremendous. The negative possibilities, outside of the field of science, are much more onerous.

DNA Testing: Would You Do It?

Karen, Maryland — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:08:55 GMT

My fear would be someone having my DNA not finding out the results of potential future diseases. We haven't quite mastered how to keep computer files safe so I don't think we should delve into giving people our DNA until we are sure it is protected.