Early Retirement at Genetics and Health

I find it very interesting that today’s big news has to do with why only humans have the capacity for language. First found in a vocally-impaired family, scientists discovered a large gene they named “TOSPEAK” that may explain how humans are the only primates to develop language.

Interesting I say because effective today, Genetics and Health will be retired, and in a nostalgic way, this is my last time “to-speak”.

Even then, the field of genetics has never been so exciting as these times. Genetics has spread into the language of cancer, HIV/AIDS, behavior/psychological issues from smoking to addictions, from autism to chronic health problems, infections like the H1N1 and MRSA, organic versus modified foods, our children’s sex, paternity issues, and what “bad” genes our children might carry. We’re using genetics to tell us how we want to live as we grow old. We’re “viewing” our genome through personalized medicine to help us prepare for what diseases we’re at risk of getting, and passing on. And did you know that people react to medicine in different ways based on certain genes they carry? Uh-huh.

And yet, genetics still lacks the audience it needs to be well understood and accepted as part of our healthcare decisions. Today, I read that physicians still don’t utilize genetics in providing treatment for their patients. And many are misinformed about the H1N1 flu virus and its vaccine so they’re scared to get immunized. They have concerns that are totally understandable and yet scary, as the world deals with more than 5,000 deaths from the H1N1 virus as of today.

Anyway, I am rambling on when I should be saying goodbye. I will definitely continue speak for genetics at some other venues. Hopefully someday the world will learn, too.

Talk to you later.