Biology Is Life !

Last week was New York Fashion Week. It was the fashionable “place to be,” for those in the industry. The runway, however, was not the only place to look for new fashion. To see, and to be seen, required invitations and attendance at all the best after show parties.

One of those parties, attended by both fashion elite and celebrities of all types was sponsored by the corporation 23andMe.

The company has recently developed a protocol for finding a person’s genome by using a vial of saliva a.k.a. spit. They hope to become the industry leader in genetic testing and storage of personal genetic information. Using their commercially available kit a person can gain insight into their personal probability to develop a number of genetically controlled traits. (See the entire list.)

Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing?

Read: NYTimes When in Doubt, Spit It Out
Explore: 23andMe

Respond to the following questions using complete sentences.

1. Would you take this “spit test?” Explain your response.
2. What would be one good or bad use of this technology?
3. List two facts you learned from the 23andMe site.
4. Take the anonymous poll below.