27 April 2008

In his article on E. coli, Carl Zimmer explains how two genetically identical microbes actually express individual and differentiated behaviors and (re)actions to the same stimulus (Carl Zimmer, "Expressing Our Individuality, the Way E. Coli Do," The New York Times, 22 April 2008). In other words, despite being identical clones with the exact same DNA - carrying identical genomes - the E. coli ultimately end up to be different.

Zimmer goes on to report the cycle of negative feedback loops and positive feedback loops and the fact that it is a matter of chance as to which the E. coli choose. Most poignant of all, he points out:

"At the very least, E. coli's individuality should be a warning to those who would put human nature down to any sort of simple genetic determinism. Living things are more than just programs run by genetic software. Even in miniscule microbes, the same genes and the same genetic network can lead to different fates."

More than poignant, however, this is fundamental and critical to every individual's health lifestyle and choice. I dare say, the survival and life expectancy of each is pivotal to his conscious decision of which loop to choose.

The human body is more sophisticated than the E. coli microbe; we have no excuse to leave the decision up to chance. No excuse at all.

Take into light everything we know about the anatomy and physiology of the body thus far, especially with the help of specialized software, courtesy of David L. Bassett's 25-volume "Stereoscopic Atlas of Human Anatomy" (John Schwartz, "The Body in Depth," The New York Times, 22 April 2008). For everything he knew and included within his 25-volume 'tome', he proves to us how much we are learning and discovering each day and how much we have yet to uncover. As his daughter once recalled him saying to her:

"I know every muscle, I know every nerve and every vessel in the hand. But there's so much I will never know."

Towards our quest to uncover the unknown, Congress is leading the way in what is touted by Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine as "the first civil rights act of the 21st century" (Andrew Pollack, "Congress Near Deal on Genetic Test Bias Bill," The New York Times, 23 April 2008). What the Senator is referring to is GINA, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, that prohibits discrimination by employers and health insurers on the basis of genetic tests and by so doing, advances personalized genetic medicine for the prediction and prevention of disease.

Although there is still a long way to go on health legislation, GINA is a bold and positive step to propel a PFL.

The question will be if we have the perspicacity to keep the motion moving forward or to halt it altogether...