NOVA Online | Cracking the Code of Life | Our Genetic Future (A Survey)

Our Genetic Future (A Survey)

What are your thoughts about our genetic future? Take this survey and let us know what you think. After selecting your response to a question, click "Count My Vote" before moving on to the next question. For more information on a question's topic, choose the "Tell Me More" link or visit our Resources section. If you prefer not to answer all the questions, but wish to see how others have voted, select view all results.

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Question 1:
Would you want yourself or a loved one to be tested for a gene that increases your risk for a disease, but does not determine whether you will actually develop the disease?
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Question 2:
Would you want yourself and your mate to be tested before having offspring to determine whether you were both carriers for a disease, in which case you are at high risk for having a child who contracts the disease?
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Question 3:
Should testing of unborn children be restricted to traits that are commonly considered deleterious, such as disease genes?
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Question 4:
Should altering a newly conceived person to improve normal qualities -- such as innate intelligence, appearance, strength, etcetera -- be allowed?
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Question 5:
Should genes or other genomic material be patented?
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Question 6:
Should employers have access to your genetic information?
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Question 7:
Should life insurance companies have access to your genetic information?
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Question 8:
Do you believe that what we are learning from the Human Genome Project will significantly change your life in the next 20 years?
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Question 9:
Is it surprising to you that much of our genetic material is similar to that found in lower organisms, like mice, roundworms, and even yeast?
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Question 10:
Based on what you know now, do you think we as a society are prepared to deal with all of the information that will come out of the Human Genome project?

Watch the Program Here | Our Genetic Future (A Survey)
Manipulating Genes: How Much is Too Much? | Understanding Heredity
Explore a Stretch of Code | Nature vs Nurture Revisited
Sequence for Yourself | Journey into DNA | Meet the Decoders
Resources | Transcript | Site Map | Cracking the Code of Life Home