It is amazing to think about how interrelated all of our genes,
as humans, are to one another, even though our appearances make us look so
different. Scientists have found that the same inherited genetic variations in
humans lead to some of the most common mental illnesses in America. Often
times, knowing that someone has a mental disorder such as schizophrenia, they
are looked down upon as being “not normal” and perhaps in some cases this could
be the defining factor of keeping a friendship or not. If you knew that someone
close to you had a variation in these genes, would your opinion of them change?
If you yourself had this genetic variation and could change your genes to
“normal”, would you?
I'm not surprised by these findings, as it as been understood for sometime that certain mental disorders are inherited. With that said, I believe it is important to continue to investigate the genetic sources of such debilitating illnesses like schizophrenia and autism in order to provide better treatment and resources to those afflicted.
ReplyDeleteWe should not be asking ourselves if we would change our genes to "normal" if given the opportunity, because an overwhelming majority would answer "yes" to this somewhat rhetorical question. We should be asking what else we can do to support these individuals on the macro-level instead of intensely investigating on/off switches.
It was surprising to read this article and learn about the overlap between mental illnesses such as depressing and schizophrenia or ADHD and depression. Depression and ADHD seem more normalized, so to think of them as linked to other mental illnesses is strange. I will be honest, if I knew someone with schizophrenia, I would consider them "not normal." I haven't known anyone with it, but the accompanying symptoms of it are more rare. Whereas with ADHD and depression, people can have moments where they might feel like they are depressed or can't sit still more often. I have known people with ADHD and depression, and my opinion of them has not changed, so it would be hypocritical to say the same for someone with the gene variation for schizophrenia. Yet, that would probably happen. Society has normalized ADHD and depression so much so that some people may even question they are considered mental illnesses. Schizophrenia is not as common and makes a person with schizophrenia seem scarier. If I had this genetic variation and could change my genes, I probably would. I would want people to think of me as normal and would not want to experience what it is like to have schizophrenia.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is very interested in the connection between psychology and science, I was interested to see how genomics interplays in determining similarities between individuals with different mental illnesses. The article speculates that individuals with 5 major disorders (schizophrenia, ADHD, depression, autism and bipolar) are likely to have variation at the same four chromosomal sites Some of these disorders may also be more interrelated in terms of their genetic dispositions than others. If these findings are further researched and replicated successfully, it could mean that people could go through genetic screening to see if they are carriers for specific mental illnesses, which could greatly enhance preventative care.
ReplyDeleteHowever, one thing that this article didn't discuss in depth was that these disorders are often developed from nature AND nurture...yes, genetic tendencies do play a large role in someone's liklihood of getting a disorder, but they don't tell the whole story. Environmental factors play a huge role and the intersection of how much is environmental and how much is genetic would be something scientists should look into.
I thought the findings in this article were very interesting and I was surprised to see which genetic variations were closely related. That being said, I know many people who had ADHD and I know a few with depression but my opinion of them has never changed. I think that autism and schizophrenia are a bit more severe and while I would not want to judge someone based on a genetic variation they couldn't control, I do think it is harder to just casually overlook the fact that someone may have severe autism or is schizophrenic. I don't think these should be used as ways to judge someone's character or morals, but they definitely would make it harder to ignore since they may inhibit the persons social skills. If I had a genetic variation for any one of these disease, I would probably want to change my genes to "normal". I just think that not having a disability makes getting through everyday tasks easier. That being said, if I did have one of these genetic variations, I would hope that people would not just judge me based on knowing I had a mental illness. I find that that would be dehumanizing, and although I know it would be hard to look past something like schizophrenia, I would hope that people would try to.
ReplyDeleteI think that the idea of normal is, unfortunately, formed off of the media and the image they present. After seeing celebrities like Amanda Bynes go crazy and the news reporting speculations that she is a schizophrenic, people can't help but form an opinion against a mental disorder like that. Like mentioned before, ADHD and depression are a different story. Now a days it's almost "cool" to have ADHD because the use of adderall is so common on campus. Depression is often something that can be private and hidden so its not noticeable to the general public. I do have friends who are depressed or have ADHD and do not look at them any different then I would my "normal" friends. However, the different symptoms and ways a persons personality is affected when they have something like autism or schizophrenia can make it hard to have a functioning relationship with them. If I myself had a genetic variation that effected the way in which I go about life in a negative way, of course I would change it given the chance. No one wants to live with a disorder. I especially would jump at the chance to eliminate it from my genes so that it would not be passed on to my children. However, if I had a genetic variation that did not have any negative consequences and was not harmful then I wouldn't see a need to change it.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting that five major mental illnesses are caused by the same inherited genetic variations, though not very surprising. It would be noteworthy to figure out the phenotypic change in the mind caused by these variations. This would demonstrate how genes directly affect certain area’s of the mind and provide a way to repair and fix them so they are less likely to occur. The healthcare sector will drastically change when technology exists that can alter your genetic code at reasonable cost. If someone close I knew had a disorder my opinion of them would not change. I would most likely try to help them with the illness and provide support. If given the opportunity I would change my genes to “normal”. It would be silly to live with a costly time consuming illness if there was no need to.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense that genetic variations are predispositions for mental illness. However, having the genes that are more likely to cause a mental illness does not necessarily mean a person is guaranteed to develop one in their lifetime. That is where the diathesis-stress model comes in which reveals the relationship between biological factors and environmental triggers in contribution to the development of a mental illness. I can understand why many people in the world would rather not form or keep relationships with people who have schizophrenia, autism, or bipolar disorder. On the other hand, I, personally, do not think I would let a friendship go if the person developed a mental disorder; I am saying that partially due to the fact that I do have people in my life who have what are considered to be more serious disorders. Also, if I knew a person had a genetic variation that can bring about a mental disorder, I would not avoid them or act differently with them. Mental illness is never someone’s fault, and I think that if I had a serious disorder then I would not want to be alienated and treated differently. This idea is why I would make it a point to not let myself treat anyone else differently if they suffer from any mental illness. All of that being said, I can see why one would want to change their genetic variation if it implied development of mental illness. It does not make sense to potentially suffer due to a mental illness when one could live a much more stable life. However, I do not think that I would change my genetic variation to manipulate whether or not I develop mental illness. I do think that I would consider changing my genes to “normal” because of the idea of passing this on to my children and the possibility that they could develop a mental illness and therefore might be a target for alienation and judgment in society.
ReplyDeleteIt is extremely interesting to find that these 5 mental disorders are caused by similiar genetic variations. Unfortunately, some of these disorders have become more acceptable in society while others still cause those who are diagnosed with them social lepers. It seems that half of college populations have students diagnosed with ADHD now. Many of my friends have been diagnosed with ADHD and I have never judged them when I found out, in fact it has often fixed our friendship since I was able to understand they had a disorder that made them act in a certain way. The same goes for depression. It's hard to always accept that people with mental disorders, especially the more severe ones, are not acting that way on purpose and it's because of a chemical imbalance in their brain. So I believe these findings might make people more aware of disorders and understanding that it's because of genetic variations might make the disorders seem less daunting and cause less friendships from dissolving. I would choose to make my genes normal if I was in this position because these disorders can cause a lot negative consequences.
ReplyDeleteMost of these disorders are neurological and are also correlated with inherited genes, it makes sense that these neurological problems are highly correlated with each other.
ReplyDeleteHowever what did surprise me was their findings...
"The study revealed that the overlap is highest between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; moderate for bipolar and depression, and for ADHD and depression; and low between schizophrenia and depression"
The reason why this was a surprise for me is because scientists are able to quantify which neurological disorder have more correlation with each other. The findings also suggest that depression could be more of a "nurture" rather than genetics, "nature".
Also, keeping a friendship with someone who has a neurological disorder would be difficult since it would be hard to maintain. My opinion would change if my friend has a neurological disorder only because I may have to be careful with my speech as well as not to be offended too easily.
If I were to change my genes to prevent risk or chances of schizophrenia, ADHD, or bipolar disorder I would. If being normal is defined as having an improved life without neurological obstacles then I believe it is worth the trouble of actually manipulating my genes.
The findings in this article are interesting and not too surprising. It makes sense that mental disorders have genetic linkages due to variation. One issue with this article is that environmental factors on genetic variation are not addressed. Sure, someone could have a potential risk for mental disability based on his or her genetic makeup, but that does not mean they will end up living with the disability. As we know, epigenetic and environmental influences can change genetic expression, and therefore the predictability of inheriting a mental disability is more complicated than a simple genetic test.
ReplyDeleteThe findings in this article, however, should not affect our treatment of the people who have mental disabilities. I completely agree with Danielle, who said that our efforts should be put toward better support for these individuals who live with a mental disorder, rather than focusing on which disorders show similar genetic origin. The question of whether you would want to switch your genes to "normal" already categorizes people who do have the disorder as abnormal, which is discrimination. Obviously no one would choose to live with a mental disorder. I find it offensive that someone would "look down" at those who do have a mental disorder, as if they had a choice in the matter. Although it may be important for scientists to determine inheritance patterns and "potential risk" for future generations, it is massively more important to me to protect and respect those who need support for their mental disabilities.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how closely everyone is genetically linked, and also how there is an overlap of certain mental illnesses. The article describes that individuals with 5 major disorders (schizophrenia, ADHD, depression, autism and bipolar) are likely to have variation at the same four chromosomal sites. If I knew someone had some variation in the genes wouldn’t change my opinion of them. Obviously, if I had the possibility to change the genetic variation to “normal” I would, rather than live with a disorder that could affect my day-to-day life.
Also, just because someone has the genes that make him or her more likely to develop a neurological disorder in the future, doesn’t mean they are going to develop that disorder indefinitely. There are other factors that lie outside the realm of nature, such as environmental factors (nurture) that leads to the development of such disorders.
I know a lot of people who have mental health disorders but it in no way effects my view/opinion of them. I still consider them a "normal" person. I think "normal" is a difficult word to explain and it means different things in different contexts. I definitely would not look at others differently if they had a mental health disorder but it is something to keep in mind when communicating with them because different opinions/words/events trigger different emotions in everybody, especially those in people with mental health disorders. So I would not treat them as if they were abnormal but would make sure I don't cross any boundaries which might be less detrimental to cross with those without a mental health disorder.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a mental health disorder and had the ability to change my genes to be "normal" or "without the disorder", I definitely would. I'm a firm believer in the fact that if you were born with something you should deal with it (i.e., I disagree with designer babies), but if you have the opportunity to change something that makes you unhappy, you should go ahead and do it, rather than living with something that is effecting you in a way that you cannot handle. However, I do think this decision is relative and differs from person to person (depending on severity and overall mental status/strength).
I found it interesting that the scientists were able to link 5 mental disorders with genetic variation at the same four chromosomal sites. This study helps to show that genetics is related to mental disorders and that it is important to understand how genetic variations can be attributed to increased risk in developing mental disorders. However, I agree with Caitlyn that there are other important environmental factors that can influence whether someone develops the disease or not. Just because someone has a genetic variant that can increase his/her risk of developing the disease, doesn't mean that he/she will develop the disease indefinitely. I think it is important to provide support to the people who are at an increased risk, and try to focus on preventive measures that may be able to reduce the chance of getting the neurological disorder.
ReplyDeleteEven though I think it is discriminative and wrong that people with metal disorders are labeled as "not normal", it would be hard for me to not view a friend differently if I found out he/she had a mental disorder. I would be more concerned about how I acted around him/her and careful of my speech (I wouldn't want to offend or trigger something that could make his/her condition worse). I haven't known anyone with a mental disorder so I would be more cautious and/or judgmental (unintentionally) because I've never had a personal experience working with someone with a neurological issue. Therefore, I base my assumptions of mental diseases based on what I have learned in classes, news, media, family, etc.
Obviously if I had a mental disorder and was able to change my genes back to "normal", I would because who would deliberately choose to live with a disorder if he/she had the option not to. I think it is more important to consider how we can increase our support and help people who have a mental diagnosis improve his/her quality of life. I think it is also important that advocacy and education on mental disorders is addressed so that the negative stigma associated with these disorders can hopefully be reduced or eliminated.
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ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how science is bringing us closer and closer to answers for the questions we have been stuck on. The fact that we have now linked five mental illnesses to the same genetic variations at four chromosomal sites is extraordinary. This advancement in science is astounding, and is one that we should be proud of. This will allow us to look more closely at mental illnesses, and to determine how best we could help those struggling with these illnesses.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachel in that "mental illness is never a person's fault." These scientific findings help support this idea by contributing hard evidence for how exactly genes play roles in mental illness. There is definitely something going on at the genetic level, something that individuals are not responsible for, that is affecting people's mental health. However, it is also important to keep in mind that environmental factors can ALSO affect people's mental health, just as Sarah pointed out.
I, myself, would not let gene variations change my opinion of people. I am very cautious in approaching people and interacting with them. It takes a while for me to let people in, and for me to embrace them as friends. Therefore, something that happens at the GENETIC level, something that we have no control over, will not affect my opinion of people. The way people express themselves is how I understand them, and is how I know them. The genetic variations do not define who they are: their behaviors define who they are. Since I am basing my friendships on people's personalities and their behaviors, what their GENES might say will not affect how I treat them.
There are mental health issues in my family, so I probably DO have a genetic variation in my genes that predisposes me to mental illnesses. This is why I would not judge people on what their genes say. People are making friends on a social level, not on a biological level. Therefore, genetic variations should never get in the way of friendships. In addition, there is more to life than just nature; nurture is really important as well. The way mental illnesses affect people also depends on how they express and manage themselves. You are responsible for how you live your life. Just because you have some variation in genes, does not mean you MUST act a certain way. So even if I had this genetic variation, I would not change it to "normal." Normal is a social construct: it is what people deem as socially appropriate. I would not change who I am just to fit myself into that social construct. My genes make me unique, so I do not want that to be taken from me. It might make it more difficult to fit in and to live, but it makes me who I am. If it affects me, so be it! It will only make me stronger when I overcome the things I might go through because I am "not normal." It will help me become more resilient.
This article is very interesting and the findings do not really surprise me. These findings can definitely be used to determine the risk of mental illness. However, environment can affect genetics and therefore it is crucial that genetic counselors look to how those at risk can reduce their risk - with exercise, diet, etc. I also think these findings could be used to find better treatments of the mental illness. Knowing the location on the chromosome, scientists could be able to advance to medicine or treatments that specifically target those chromosomes and inhibit the gene from being expressed.
ReplyDeleteMental illness can be very difficult to live with, especially in a society where it is still highly stigmatized. If I tested positive for the genes and was given the option to change that, of course I would. That being said, my opinion for someone with a mental illness does not change when I learn about their illness. I definitely agree with Rachel who said "mental illness is never a person's fault". This statement is true and therefore, it would be extremely unfair to that person if we judged them for their genetic make-up that they had no control over. I don't think a diagnosis of a mental illness in a friend would cause me to question my relationship with them or end the friendship. I think I would just modify my behavior to be more sensitive to their illness.
I hope that with more findings like this, people become better educated and more aware of mental illness. Hopefully with more education and awareness, the stigma that comes with a diagnosis of a mental disorder is reduced.
I was actually surprised to learn through this article that the five major mental illnesses discussed are traceable to the same genetic variations. It is encouraging that mental illnesses seem to be inheritable because this will lead to opportunities of possibly pinpointing exactly what is causing these mental illnesses and discovering ways to reduce the incidence of these illnesses.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, our society created the idea of "normal" when in actuality, none of us are truly normal. It is the sad truth that people who have the mental illnesses explained in the article are looked down upon as inferior members of society because they do not fit the mold of how we have been trained to expect a person to behave. If one of my friends was diagnosed with a mental illness, I would do my best to be understanding, but I think many other people would be hesitant to continue the friendship because they would not want to be associated with someone "weird". And if I, myself, had one of these genetic variations, I would absolutely take the opportunity to reverse it because I am aware of the harsh stigmas that surround mental illness.
The study of genetic variations that cause mental illness is very important in order to educate the population about what actually causes these impairments. The idea of "normal" is one that is forced upon us from a very young age, but it is important to understand that a mental illness does not mean that one is not "normal". Hopefully, with continued research and education on the subject, the stigma associated with mental illness will be reduced, and those living with these illnesses will have the opportunity to live a life free of judgment.
As the article points out, these genetic variations count for only about a quarter of the risk of the top five mental illnesses in the United States. Simply having these genetic variations is not a guarantee that you or anyone you know will experience the debilitating effects of severe mental illness at any point in their lifetimes. If I knew that somebody I was close too had these genetic variations, my opinion of them would not change in the slightest. I would, however encourage them to be aware that there is a real possibility that they could develop one of these illnesses which tend to become apparent during and immediately after adolescence. Should I myself obtain the information that I have these variations in my genes, I don’t think that I would want to undergo any type of genetic therapy to change my genes back to “normal.” My reason for not wanting to repair my genes is that since there isn't an overwhelmingly large risk of developing these conditions simply from having the genetic variations I would rather take my chances instead of spending whatever princely sum it would cost to have my genes altered preemptively.
ReplyDeleteEssentially, the main idea of genomics is that we are the sum of our genetic coding however that doesn't stop there. We are also a sum of our experiences that help define who we are as a person. These variations in genes are essentially just a combination of chemicals that were linked together a little differently than the majority of the population. Although this discovery that linked these mental illnesses to an actual physical variation in the gene is a breakthrough in the scientific community, it still doesn't define to what extent that the gene is expressed. Mental illnesses are complex and can be a combination of factors that lead to the illness, not just your genes.
ReplyDeleteRealistically, if I knew someone close to me who had a variation in these genes, I would still continue to treat them the same but at the same time, be sensitive to how they're feeling, especially if they had confided to me that they were sensitive to certain subjects. If I knew I had this genetic variation, I would change my genes because I would not want to be predisposed to a certain condition and have a more likely chance of developing the illness. However, if I did not know I had the variation, I would not try to get tested to see if I had the variations. I firmly believe that your genes don't define who you are as a whole person. This stigma of mental illnesses needs to be shed in a less negative light in order for those that are suffering from it to be able to find confidence for help and recovery.
The way our genes interact to create a unique phenotype is a miraculous and almost unfathomable phenomenon. Furthermore, to think that our genetic makeup only differs by .1%, yet we are all possess distinct qualities and traits that make us one of a kind is beyond amazing. Because our view of genetic material has greatly transformed since the completion of the Human Genome Project, I am not surprised that scientists have found that some of the major mental disorders are linked to similar genetic variations. Currently, it is understood by most scientists that certain mental disorders are inherited or cause an increased predisposition. In addition, it is well known that many people with mental disorders experience comorbidity, meaning that they experience two or more disorders simultaneously. Therefore, many mental illnesses already present as linked. This new information only further solidifies the association by revealing a genetic component.
ReplyDeleteDespite this new discovery, I doubt society will be quick to change the stigma it places on mental illness. Unfortunately, we live in a world where anyone we deem “not normal” is automatically discriminated against. I think the real problem lies in our definition of “normal.” What if many of us have this genetic variation, but our epigenome functions to prevent the expression of this “abnormal” phenotype? As genetic research continues to uncover new mysteries embedded in our genes, I am certain that “normal,” as we know it, will be redefined.
I found this information to be really interesting. Although I never put a lot of thought into the connection between different mental illnesses, I had always assumed that their relation to one another was more along the “nurture” concept, rather than the “nature” side of things. For example, maybe someone’s serious ADHD could decrease their quality of life and lead to them becoming depressed. However, this study explained that there is a genetic link, as well. This genetic information could be extremely useful in accurately diagnosing people with mental disorders, which often get misdiagnosed and could potentially be used in future treatment programs after more extensive research is done. Knowing that someone I knew had a genetic variation would not change my opinion of him or her, because they are still the same person I have known all along. It seems like we are still a long way from being able to alter our genes in this capacity, but if that were a realistic and feasible option and I felt that my mental illness was severely impacting my quality of life, I may consider altering my genes if that were an available and well-studied method of treatment.
ReplyDeleteThe correlation among schizophrenia, biopolar disorder, depression, and ADHD isn't surprising. All four are mental diseases and I could definitely understand why there would be some genetic overlap. However, it is interesting to see these correlations coming to fruit through physical, genetic evidence.
ReplyDeleteIn a future world I could definitely see a stigma forming around those with genetic variations that are unfavorable. If possible, a large majority would probably want to remove such variation because raising children with mental disorders is a challenge. However that is not to say genetic research should be stopped. Humanity as a whole should not only be progressing it's scientific knowledge, but it's moral code as well. Hopefully society will adapt in a positive way to genetic technology as it continues to grow.
It is interesting that the same inherited genetic variations cause five mental illnesses. That being said, it makes sense that genetic variations are prone to different illnesses. It is true that people who suffer from a mental illness, such as schizophrenia are sometimes discriminated against, however, that shouldn’t be the case. There shouldn’t be a stigma against people who have a mental illness. I don’t think people will truly understand what it means to have a mental illness until they develop one. It will dramatically change their lives and some relationships will change. That doesn’t mean they have to change for the worse, but naturally, some people are going to treat a person with a mental illness differently. If I knew someone had a variation in these genes my opinion would not change of them. Just because they carry the genes, doesn’t mean they will develop the disease. Regardless, I am not going to change my relationship with someone because they develop a disease or illness.
ReplyDeleteHaving a mental disorder should not be associated with a stigma, especially if it is associated with a person's genetics. A person does not have any control over their genetic makeup, so they do not deserve to be blamed when it contributes to mental illness. Likewise, if I found out that someone close to me had a gene that predisposed them to mental illness, I would not think any less of them. However, I would be on the lookout for signs that their mental illness was manifesting itself, and I would probably be quicker to recommend that they speak with a professional.
ReplyDeleteAssuming that changing the genes associated with mental illness would not cause any other harm to my health or drastically change my personality I would certainly do it. Living with mental illness can be very difficult, just like living with any other serious disorder and I would do whatever I could to alleviate those symptoms.
It's interesting to observe the correlations between these 5 mental disorders, in respect to where they come from. It makes sense to me that there could be this kind of link considering that these are all mental illnesses, even though these disorders are so different. I feel like genetics will eventually play a role in more acurate diagnosis of pstchiactric/mental diseases because the article says, "Such evidence quantifying shared genetic risk factors among traditional psychiatric diagnoses will help us move toward classification that will be more faithful to nature." I think if we could learn exactly what the genetic overlap of these disorders is and learn which factors distinguish them it would be very helpful in diagnosis. From what I know about mental disorders I feel like they can sometimes be hard to diagnose because there's a sort of continuum of symptoms that overlap between illnesses, and each patient can vary greatly in symptoms. That being said, I think further research needs to be conducted to move forward with this knowledge and to try to apply these findings.
ReplyDeleteBut I disagree with the stereotype based on the fact that these variation are "not normal." If anything, variation is very normal. Mutations happen all the time and add to the diversity of the human genome. Saying that these variation to cause an illness are not normal and therefore should be looked down upon is simply wrong.
Even though it's interesting that 5 illnesses share the same 5 genetic variations I would like to know more about this study like what statistical analysis they used. It would be really cool if they could find genetic cures to some of these diseases. That being said I don't think my opinion on a friendship would change if someone I knew had one of these variations because it doesn't mean that they're going to develop the disease and it would also make me a bad friend. Not only that there are probably a thousand more variations that they don't know about yet that could also cause the disease. It's true that having mental illness is looked down upon in our society but I think this is a changing theme especially for people in my generation. We have more knowledge than prior generations and we know that people can live normally with these illnesses but they didn't know that before. If I already knew I had a mental illness and they found a way to get rid of it I would definitely look into fixing them because most of the time illnesses like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder make daily life really hard. For a mental illness like autism I wouldn't because people learn a lot about themselves and their character when they have someone in their family with autism and it makes more of a positive impact in the long run (my personal experience).
ReplyDeleteThis article did not come as a surprise to me. I have always thought that all illnesses were because of certain "defects" of our genes. I put defects in quotes because some mutations actually have benefits such as the immunity to HIV in patients with sickle cell anemia. I have also known that our genes are somewhere around 98% identical to each other and hence we heavily rely on the epigenome to create our unique traits. So, therefore, this article did not surprise me when it stated that mental illnesses were traced to the same genetic inheritance. What did surprise me was the overlap in genetics factors leading to ADHD and depression. I never would have though that the same genetic variations could lead to ADHD and to depression because they seem so different.
ReplyDeleteIf I happen to have one of these mental illnesses and there was a cure, I would most likely get cured. People today that are diagnosed with ADHD already have medication available to them. Others can barely notice the difference between them and any other person. As for being "normal", I believe that there is no one person that is "normal". We are all different and although we share similar traits and characteristics, we should not label a certain one better than another. This would lead to what many geneticists fear, Ugenomics. Also, genetic variation is beneficial to society because mutations that occur in a certain race are more likely to occur if there is reproduction solely in that race due to the more likely that each parent is a carrier.
This particular issue hits very close to home for me. One of my closest friends and roommate for the past three years discovered she has bipolar disorder shortly after we moved into our first apartment. After knowing someone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder it is fascinating to me to learn that this is linked directly to her genetic variation. The question of whether I would remain friends with someone if I found out they had a genetic variation in their genes is easy for me to answer. Yes, I would. Ultimately, this variation doesn't change who the person really is. It adds an aspect to their personality that they must struggle with and can often be quite a burden on their friends. However, I believe we all have stuff that we have to deal with and fight through and just because someone has a genetic variation that labels their "stuff" doesn't all of a sudden make them not normal. Despite the fact that we are all 99.99% identical in our genetic make-up, the .01% that is different creates massive differences between all people. We can't afford to cut off everyone that has a genetic variability that may cause them to be a difficult friend. Knowing that someone has a genetic disposition to develop a mental disability isn't going to change how I feel about that friend as a person. I will still love them and want to be there for them in their difficult times. That being said, there are points where a person suffering from a mental disability can start to become so self destructive and detrimental to the people around them that you are forced to cut your ties. This, however, I don't consider to be simply because of their genetic variation, but because of their lack of discipline in taking care of themselves mentally. To me it is like a person with diabetes, they must take extra precautions to keep themselves physically healthy, a person with a mental disorder must do the same to keep themselves mentally healthy.
ReplyDeleteNow to answer the question about if I discovered I had the genetic variation and had the option to change my genes to "normal", the answer is absolutely yes, without a doubt! Again, to me that seems like asking if you had the option to change your genetic variation so that you no longer had cancer would you do it? We all want our lives to be as easy as possible and living with a mental disorder that causes depression, or difficulty focusing etc does not make life easier. It is something that I believe anyone can learn to live with and learn to be successful, but it certainly isn't something I would desire.
Discovering that these five mental disorders have some sort of relation is something that surprised me. I understand why it makes sense that they are related, but it is something that I never quite expected. I think it's good to be able to start pinpointing where mental disorders may originate from in a genetic sense, and potentially being able to predict whether someone is more or less likely to have a mental disorder could be useful for many people. If one of my close friends or family members were to have one of these variations, I don't think that I would view them any differently. I can't say this for sure because I feel that it would all depend on the situation, and perhaps viewing them in a different way wouldn't be a bad thing. If anything I would be able to be more supportive to them and try to help in any way they would let me. If I were to find out that I had one of the variations and there was a way to change them back to "normal" I think that I would. This is because there are different challenges that are involved with having a mental disorder so in my opinion if I could change the genes to make my life easier and simpler then that would be the choice that I would make.
ReplyDeleteI was rather surprised to learn that five major mental illnesses are traceable to the same inherited genetic variations and that these variations account for 17-28 percent of mental illness risk. The media, science and our willingness to discuss a topic in mental health often times plays a role in whether we believe that illness to be “normal” or not. Some mental illnesses, such as depression and ADHD, have become more accepted by society because of their prevalence in today’s world, while others, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, are considered “not normal”. I personally would like to think that a mental illness would not be a defining factor of keeping a friendship however in some instances a mental illness, such a schizophrenia, can severely alter a persons lifestyle, which in turn would alter their relationships with others. If a friend of mine were to have a variation in these genes that are associated with major mental illnesses it does not mean they will actually develop the disorder, therefore it would not affect our friendship or make me think they were “not normal”. Mental health is a topic that is not discussed enough in our society because of the sigma that accompanies many of the mental disorders. Because of this, many people consider those individuals who have a mental illness to be “not normal” and as a result these individuals are often times unwilling to seek help. This could ultimately lead to putting the individual in danger but also his or her family, friends or even society. With the numerous heinous acts against humanity that have occurred in the last couple of years, mental illness must become a topic of discussion in our society to make “normal” a broader term and “not normal” acceptable so those who need help can seek it without fear or stigmatization.
ReplyDeleteI found it to be very interesting that these 5 mental disorders are traceable to the same inherited genetic variations. However, this statement makes it seem that these illnesses are solely due to genetic factors, and I believe that the environment in which the individual lives in plays a large role in the onset of these disorders.
ReplyDeleteI know several people who are diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and even autism. The only disease I do not know of someone is schizophrenia. Because I have taken several health care classes, and have had guest lecturers with some form of illness, I understand the appropriate way to interact with people of similar disorders, and would never look down upon them. Some of the nicest people I have met have been diagnosed with autism, and while some people might be intimidated to talk to them, they have proven to be funny and have a great sense of humor. However, Schizophrenia is baffling to me and I would be hesitant to befriend someone who I knew was schizophrenic.
If I had this genetic variation and could change it to “normal”, I would. Although people with these disorders can sometimes function perfectly fine in life and might take pride in how their disorder has shaped their life and personality, no one would ever wish one of these illnesses on anyone. For the most part, these disorders affect their daily lives and can interfere with social and academic life. Having “normal” genes would enable me to be a healthier person who doesn’t have to struggle with illness, and can more heavily focus on family and friends.
To be completely frank, I probably would not willingly associate myself with someone who is schizophrenic or had another serious mental issue, unless they were someone in my family and whom I loved. I have many friends who could be clinically diagnosed as having depression or ADHD. As mentioned numerous times above, the criteria for diagnosis seems to be pretty lax, so it is not at all surprising to know people who have one of them, or both.
ReplyDeleteI also know a handful of people with autism, especially children, and although they do require a different set of social cues than most others, they are still people with whom you can be friends with; they just need a lot more work.
If I did have the possibility of changing my genes to "normal", I would do it in a heartbeat, as I'm sure almost everyone else would.
This article is not too shocking, as it has been well documented that many of these mental illness can be partly inheritable. The close association between some of them is what surprised me. For example, the 9% overlap between schizophrenia and depression was something I was not expecting, as they seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of intensity.
I think that it is very interesting how in addition to looking at how genes influence physiological disorders, we are also now looking into how genes can influence our susceptibility to psychological disorders as well. However, I think what we determine is “normal” depends a lot on how society and the media decides to portray certain mental disorders. ADHD and depression do seem to be more common in today’s society because we have directed much attention into educating and publicizing the public with facts and statistics about how common and treatable it is. On the other hand, the general public seldom hears about cases of schizophrenia besides the rare dangerous cases that puts the disorder in a negative light.
ReplyDeleteI feel that although it is unfair and biased, my opinion of someone would change if I knew that they had schizophrenia or autism simply due to the fact that these disorders tend to associated with some form of social impairment. If I knew I had genetic variations for these psychological disorder and had the option to change my genes, I probably would. For the future, knowledge about these variants and how they can contribute to psychological disorders could help us implement more preventative measures. Hopefully in the future, we will be able to locate these genes more specifically and have the scientific advancements to switch them on and off like we are doing with other genes.
I find this research to be interesting and provide hope for a greater breakthrough in the future. Now discovering that there is a link between these inherited genetic variations to these common mental illnesses, although the degrees of the link between certain disorders vary, hopefully there may be a chance for a cure or more effective treatment for all these disorders so that they are less common amongst people. If I had known someone who had a variation of these genes, I would not disregard our friendship or look down on them. I think I would choose to be more sensitive or considerate to how their feeling and how they would prefer to be treated. I would think that discovering that your friend has a mental illness (like Schizophrenia or depression) or had a variation of these genes, it's not a time to abandon them but to be there and support them. I know in severe cases of these mental disorders, people can be difficult to deal with so that may affect friendships, but if you put the effort to get them the help they need then things can be different. And of course if I had the option to change my genes to "normal," I would because I would not want my severe mental illness to be a burden to my family and friends and affect their daily lives.
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting, yet not too surprising. It makes sense that the gene variations for those specific mental illnesses would overlap, since some of their symptoms are similar. Being able to pinpoint these illnesses to specific variations will be very helpful with diagnosis. Since it is almost impossible to directly diagnosis some of these illnesses just based on symptoms, being able to look at genetic makeup as another option will be very beneficial to both the patient and physician. Getting diagnosed with a mental disorder is very serious and life changing for many patients and their families. Being able to look at a person’s genes and spot the variations ahead of time will be helpful, and aid doctors in making a more confident diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteIf I knew someone with a variation in these genes, my opinion of them would not be much different. Obviously, the variation is out of their control, therefore it would not be fair to treat them any differently. The only scenario where I would avoid association with someone would be if their mental illness were so severe that it became difficult to have a healthy relationship with them. With so many options for medications and therapies, there is a good chance their symptoms will stay under control, allowing them to live a normal life. If I personally had a genetic variation, I would opt to change my genes to “normal”. Living with a mental disorder would be challenging, and I would want not to risk passing on the variations if I were to have children.
Jamie, and other students, bring up very interesting points about the basis of diseases that manifest themselves psychologically. While it's somewhat comforting to know that there is a concrete cause to such horrible afflictions, knowledge of genetics only brings us part of the way. We may never, as a society, be able to completely eradicate the things that plague peoples' minds. Equal effort needs to be placed in researching genetic causes of disease, acquired causes of disease (such as different lifestyles, traumas, social determinants), and on lessening the stigma of disease. Too often we see in the news that lives are lost, unnecessarily, because of the mistreatment of people with psychological disorders. Rather than thinking of "normal" versus "not normal", we need to view humanity on a spectrum, where differences are valued and appreciated, because they provide our society with an engine that allows us to evolve and prosper.
ReplyDeleteHowever, even with that in mind, the fringes of this "spectrum" are arguably not-desirable. It's different wish that you liked to read more, or that you were better at math, or were better at learning different languages, then it is to wish that you could have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or chronic depression. But we cannot view the individuals that are fated with these disorders as a plague to society. They can often fight through their illness and add great value to the communities they live in. If society can stop thinking of them as "not-normal", we will benefit. Understanding the genetic components of these disorders is incredibly important, but it does not solve the puzzle.
The article for this week explaining how five major mental illnesses are traced to the same genetic variations does not come with a surprise. Due to the similar nature of the symptoms along with possible comorbidity, it makes sense that there is a suspect variation at the same four chromosomal sites. It is yet still fascinating to hear of this progress which can hopefully be used to help those with these illnesses.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to learn that a friend had one of these genetic variations leading to illness, my opinion of him/her would absolutely NOT change. The only thing that would change would be my approach to certain topics of conversation, knowing that sometimes subjects or words could trigger reactions. As a friend of mine, I would appreciate the fact that the variation is out of his/her control and I could maybe take advantage of what is in control - my support. Unfortunately in today’s society I feel that this approach is not common. Stigma is a serious issue- for some reason, maybe it’s fear or maybe it’s how society has taught us to approach mental illness, people shut out those who are considered different in any way or form. With a more scientific understanding at hand, there is hope that some people may start to look at mental illness in an accepting way. Mental illness is not just some disease you “catch,” but rather a variation of a gene- like most other diseases.
Without going into detail, but having plenty of experience with now-known genetic variations leading to mental illness, in my personal case I would NOT change my genes to “normal.” First, what is normal? I believe there is no such thing, rather it is a concept based off of societal expectations and judgments. How do you even measure “normal” and what would be a baseline? For me and what I have been through is my normal, but again and unfortunately others deem the illness and myself as “not normal.”
I find it interesting that our genomes are all so similar and that an overlap in genes in certain mental illnesses exists. The article states that individuals schizophrenia, ADHD, depression, autism and bipolar disorder can all be traced back to the same four chromosomal sites. I know people who suffer from these diseases and disorders and I'm sure that I know people that could potentially be predisposed to them. However, it does not change my opinion of them at all. If I had the opportunity to change my genetic variation to become "normal", I think that I would. Obviously I would not want to live with one of these disorders that was going to affect my everyday life if I had the choice.
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting that these five mental illnesses are linked together by the same genetic variations. Since they are all connected in some way to the brain and the mind, it makes sense that they are all somehow linked. I find it even more interesting that many of these mental illnesses are not diagnosed or do not present themselves until later on in life. Most babies aren’t born with clear signs of autism, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, or ADHD, but instead develop symptoms, which physicians and psychiatrists diagnose later on in life. I can’t help but think what the role of the environment and epigenetics are on the development or onset of these mental illnesses on people. Did the person experience a traumatic situation, which caused their depression, or are they just predisposed to have bipolar disease or schizophrenia?
ReplyDeleteAlex brings up a very interesting point about how merely understanding the genetics of these five mental illness does not solve the stigma or judgment that comes from society deeming people with these illnesses as “abnormal”. I completely agree with his point that society would be better off and would benefit more if society did not have these pre conceived notions of people with mental illnesses. It is not their fault or anyone’s fault for that matter that mental illnesses exist, so why should they be looked down upon? As difficult as it is to get all of society on the same page and level, respect and tolerance of the differences people have is extremely important.
First off, I think it is amazing that we can pinpoint specific mutations in genes to mental illnesses, and that different illnesses have overlap in these mutations. I do not think that knowledge about a friend having a variation in these genes would change my perception of them, or our friendship or prospect thereof. If there are similarities, and common interests that drew us together as friends in the first place, knowledge of a genetic variation shouldn’t change that. They are no different than the person they were before knowledge of the variation. It is very difficult to provide answers in situations involving “ifs” especially when you have no experience with one of the alternatives.
ReplyDeleteAlthough completely different, one of my friends in high school had partial paralysis on the left side of her face, and she spent most of her life upset because of that because she didn’t view herself as “normal”. When she got to high school she was presented with the possibility to have a procedure to “correct” this, she decided against it because the partial paralysis was so ingrained in who she was that she didn’t want to change it. All that to say that the illness could become a huge part of who you are.
Since this is much different than a physical difficulty, but a mental and emotional one I think that I would be much more likely to seek ways to change the gene to “normal” as bad as that sounds.
This study is new to me so I found it very interesting how five major illnesses are traced to the same inherited genetic variation. It definitely seems to make sense because these five illnesses are quite similar. However, I feel that epigenetics would play a role in how these illnesses differ. Regardless, I personally would not look down on a person with a mental disorder. What we define as "normal" in today's society depends on many factors. I don't think anyone is "normal." Everyone is different in their own ways. Just because someone has a mental illness doesn't mean they aren't normal. Sometimes actions done by others can be considered normal or abnormal depending on different people. I would not change my opinion of my close friend just because he or she had a genetic variation.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I think it is great that illnesses that were once ignored or even just misunderstood by the general public are now at the forefront of investigative research - and we are not looking for a 'cure' but more understanding. It is clear that the diagnosis of these illnesses is not clear cut, you only have to travel from one side of the US to the other to see the variation in the prevalence and nature of ADHD. Maybe the elusive nature of these disorders is what has categorized them as 'abnormal' and the way to eradicate such public discomfort around the illnesses is education.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact these five genetic illnesses have been linked to the same inherited genetic variation is interesting as a lot of the features and symptoms of these disorders overlap, so when a patient was once labelled as a 'schizophrenic', future diagnosis (and more importantly medication) is not so readily given out and we can start to treat patients in a holistic manner in the hope for better treatment by looking at the 'bigger picture'.
If I could change my genetic make up to eradicate an inheritance like this I think I would. The severity of these problems can cause major issues and I think the goal of all clinicians should be to help tame any negative symptoms. If a close friend of mine was found to have this genetic inheritance I wouldn't change my opinion... I'd already made my mind up about them before this was discovered.
This article was interesting to read because it shows how much research is being devoted to understanding mental illness and their relation to genetic variants. And it is exciting that these new findings could play important roles in diagnostics and research. Though this article doesn’t go into much depth about what these connections really mean, it shows yet another great example of just how much research is advancing and how much we are learning about the human body and our genes.
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about mental disorders, I find it fascinating to try and put myself in the shoes of someone with one of these disorders. While these disorders are livable, and we are learning more about them, they have many implications, and therefore if I had a genetic variation that could lead to one of these conditions, I would change my genes if I could. But it is hard to say indefinitely because my answer may change in the situation or perhaps if I learned more about what it was like to live with all of these conditions. However, if I knew that a friend of mine had one of these gene variations, I would look at them differently in the sense that I know that this information would have an effect on them as a person, and I would be aware of this, but I would not let this negatively affect our relationship. The genes that you inherit are out of your control and therefore should not get in the way of forming or maintaining a relationship with someone.
While this article’s title was catchy and thought-provoking, I found the research to be inconclusive at best. The numbers thrown out as statistics were cited from questionably reliable sources and did not conclusively validate what the flashy headline indicated. I find the link between the five illnesses to be incredibly interesting, due not only to the inherent possible connections but also due to my family history. However, I was disappointed by the lack of evidence. It is very simple to claim a link, but to prove it is substantially more difficult. Even so, the advances in genetic knowledge and information seem to be somewhat promising. I think it would be in everyone’s best interest to discover what genes or mutations contribute to predisposition or inheritance of disease, especially with such terrible mental afflictions such as schizophrenia.
ReplyDeleteThe way in which our genes code for and express different traits is incredible. After reading this article, I must admit that I wasn’t too surprised that certain mental were linked to similar genetic variations. We learned in class that the deletion, change in sequence, or overall loss of maternal contribution of the UBE3A in chromosome 15 that is passed down to the child can lead to the child having Angleman Syndrome. However, if this loss of contribution of that same UBE3A in chromosome 15 was passed down from the paternal side, it can result in the child having Prader-Willi Syndrome. If a defect in the same area of the chromosome can cause two different syndromes, I am not really surprised that certain mental disorders can be linked to similar genetic variations. What did surprise me was how much they believe that certain disorders are linked together over other ones. I would have agreed with the researchers’ initial guesses of a significant overlap between autism and ADHD. However, their results showed that the highest overlap occurred with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while ADHD overlapped more with depression.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Nicole in saying that ADHD and depression seem to be more “normalized” in our society today. However, people who have mental disorders like schizophrenia, autism, and bipolar disorder are often treated differently. I have had friends who are diagnosed with ADHD and are treated the same as everyone else while those who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder are thought of as weird and even crazy. I, and most probably many others, say that the opinion of people wouldn’t/shouldn’t change if their mental disorders were to become evident to me (or other people). However, we often misconstrue that idea into just avoiding poking fun at or treating people with mental disorders badly. I feel that this doesn’t fully cover the idea of changing one’s opinion about someone with a mental disorder. Even pitying people with mental disorder can be seen as treating them differently. Now I can’t speak for those with mental disorders, but if I were to have one, I would feel uncomfortable if people were constantly feeling sorry for me or walking on eggshells around me when talking about certain topics or doing certain activities. I would just want to be treated the way everyone else was being treated. I would want to be defined by what I am and what I do, not by the mental disorder I have. I honestly think that if I was given the chance to change my genes so that I did not have a genetic variation that caused a mental disorder, I would take it. However, I would hope that if this was not a possibility, I would be able to live with it and not let it be my crutch.
The article for this week explaining how five major mental illnesses are traced to the same genetic variations. Although this is a great discovery, I do feel like it was something that has already been theorized and discussed about. Most of these mental illnesses somehow correlate with the brain function so their source of problems stems from a central location. What was interesting to me was the overlap betweenWhat did surprise me was the overlap in genetics factors leading to ADHD and depression. It is quite surprising that the same genetic variations could lead to ADHD and to depression. To answer the question in regards to being friends with someone who had these variation, I would say yes. But, I answer this question with a lack of experience. I have never had a friend who was diagnosed with any of these disorders so I do not know what it would feel like. With that being said, I am not the kind of person to be distant due to an uncontrollable diseases. At the end of the day we are 99.9% similar and we can relate to one another in different forms.Although that difference in genetic variation makes a huge difference, it does not have to in the value of your friendship and the relationship you may have with a person who has that genetic variation. To address the question on whether or not I would change my genes to normal if I had the genetic variation, I would also have to say yes! I believe any individual would , if they had the chance to. I would change my genes to normal because I do not want to be dependable on others to live my life. I would cause an undue burden on my family members and if I could save them from any financial and emotional struggle, I would do it.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I do not view individuals with mental health disorders as "abnormal" or of any less value than individuals without mental illness. I have friends who cope with various mental disorders. Yes, although they may act differently or may not be able to cope with certain situations the same way other people can, does not mean they should be treated any differently in terms of social fairness and respect. Because of having some of these disorders, my friends often experience discrimination, ridicule, and prejudice. I have also worked as a personal care attendant (PCA) for individuals who have both a mental health illness and physical disability. Some are able to lead relatively "normal" lives, while others are not capable of doing normal daily activities of living independently (eating, bathing, dressing themselves). Peoples with individuals should be treated as fairly as possible, taking into account their range of limitations. On the other hand, if I had the opportunity to "normalize" my genetic variation resulting in mental illness, I probably would. I would do so only to allow myself the opportunities that would otherwise not be available to me, the opportunities that will never be available to some of the people I've cared for as a PCA. I would want to give myself the best chance at survival by "standardizing" my abilities.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing how scientists can track five mental illnesses back to the same genetic variations. Mental illnesses, such as Schizophrenia, have such a negative connotation in today's society that it can be very hard not to think of someone differently. However, I think that if a close friend of mine had these genetic variations, I would not judge them differently unless they were to start acting differently or if their actions were to start affecting me in a negative manner. Without a tangible change in their personality, I would absolutely not distance myself from a friend just because of the knowledge of a genetic variation.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to find out that I had been affected by a genetic variation, I would change my genes back to 'normal' if that were a possibility. I would not want a mental illness negatively impacting my life, and if possible, I would do everything I could to prevent this.
I think this article poses an interesting and concerning ethical issue for future geneticists, physicians, and their patients. The article gives support to the idea that mental illnesses are not individual traits or variations but rather different expressions of a singular gene. If this is true it could radically alter the scope of psychology and mental health interventions. It is a pandora's box kind of finding because it opens up a million questions. For example, if the same gene that causes schizophrenia also causes autism, and we know that autism is more prevalent in women that have children later in life, does this mean that the gene is modified through some measure of epigenetic to create different symptoms? And if this is the case, what do we tell mothers that are likely to pass on this gene? Is it better to wait (and thus increase the chances of autism) or have a child earlier (and thus increase the chances of schizophrenia)? Obviously these are not direct conclusions from this article but the connection between these disorders raise many ethical considerations. I also think this article challenges the lines that separate normal from abnormal. Some mental illnesses, such as anxiety or even depression, are seen as "more acceptable" or "treatable" in the public eye than other disorders such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive disorder, or drug addictions. If these disorders are expressed through the same gene than how can we, as the public, delineate between these disorders? I also wholeheartedly disagree with a few of my peers. I would not necessarily change my gene or encourage a friend to alter their genes if they found out they had this gene. I think there is a huge misconception concerning the possible quality of life for people with any of these disorders. Many people with these disorders have fulfilling lives and just because they do not match mainstream definitions of successful does not make them any less, it just makes them different. These disorder will not necessarily make someone fully dependent family members nor will they necessarily cause extreme burden. In short, I would not change my genes because having a mental illness does change the course of life but it does not define the quality of life.
ReplyDeleteVanessa Merta
ReplyDeleteLike many of my classmates I found this article not very surprising, but still interesting. It is true that society has normalized some mental health disabilities, and ostracized others. Disabilities like ADHD and depression seem as common as having blue eyes, while bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are really only commonly seen in movies and TV shows. Working in a pharmacy, I see the normalcy of Prozac and Adderall and the slight stigma that comes with the different drugs for schizophrenia. When I hear that a friend is on some anti-depressant or Adderall, I am not uncomfortable, if anything I want to get more involved in that relationship. There is a difference with the "not normal" disabilities, which can be unsettling to hear about. Because of this, if I was ever diagnosed with one of these genetic variations and there was a way to fix it, I would. Some other students have made the argument that fixing the variation is wrong or unnecessary because having a mental disability doesn't define you as a person. While I do agree with the fact that a disability doesn't make you who you are, if you are willing to take medications to control it, there should be no reason against taking the next step and removing it all together.
The article is interesting, it announces that 5 major mental illnesses are traced to have the same genetic variation. It provides a broad layer of inspection as to what this could mean for the future: better classification, diagnostics and more research. However the article still remains inconclusive. Yes, there may be connections to schizophrenia and depression, but what next? Perhaps the next best thought is how to regulate these genes being highlighted. Just like in the agouti gene discovery, perhaps their may be a way to turn on or off these genes preventing further progression of the mental illness.
ReplyDeleteIf someone close to me had one of these overlapping genetic variations, yes my opinion of them would change, but not in any belief of them being "normal" or "abnormal". It wouldt change in perspective of how I would treat them. For example, if someone close to me had a genetic susceptibility towards schizophrenia, I would understand he or she may also have an imbalance in regulating their serotonin and dopamine in the brain. With this knowledge, I would be careful not to overexcite or bring up any memories intertwined with emotions (perhaps easier said than done.) But when it comes down to it the genetic overlap is nothing more than a susceptibility.
Taking the information from the article and from the blog prompt, I would conclude that my opinion would not change about someone I know if I found out that they had these altered genes. I do not think that we should judge someone based on genotype, but rather their behaviors. If I am friends with someone who I already like, this is not going to change how I feel about them. However, there may be someone that I don’t like and likewise I would not start to like them if I found they had these gene variations. Similarly, if I found out that I had these gene alterations, I would not let that change how I feel about myself and I would not attempt to “normalize” them. This can go to show how much epigenetics can play a role in one’s life. For example, someone may have these genetic variations but not exhibit any of the symptoms. It makes me wonder how much of a role just knowing this information could contribute to someone exhibiting the conditions such as depression.
ReplyDeleteI would not alter my friendship with someone if I discovered they had the genetic mutations linked to mental disorders. First of all, the strength of association between having the mutation and phenotypic expression of the disorder is not incredibly strong. It is only a risk factor, which is not even as great as that of heritability. Even if a friend of mine had these mental disorders it would not likely affect the friendship. These disorders are only a variation in "normal" mental expression and should not dehumanize someone. Expressing ambivalence towards individuals having risk factors for these disorders that are not terribly significant only represents another form of shallow-minded discrimination that is likely to surface in the wake of genetic testing.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to discover that I had these genetic mutations and a an affordable and safe “cure” was available to modify the variants to sequences of lower attributable risk I would seek this cure. I would not if the cure was very expensive as having these mutations do directly lead to the disorder. I would also avoid this cure if it would affect any other functions of my body. While these mutations could cause disruption in daily life, I do not view them as life-threatening or disabling to the extent that I would sacrifice other functions or vast sums of money to “correct” them.
I found this article to be very interesting because it shows which genetic variations are closely related. If I found out that someone close had the mental disorders, I would not judge them. However, if I was given a choice to change to be "normal," then I would think about it. There are still stereotypes against mental illness. Also, there are some cultural aspects that view mental illness as absolutely "abnormal."
ReplyDeleteI feel this furthers the nature v nurture debate. The influence of epigenetic factors is the one thing that is most important, and should not be forgotten when taking gene expression into account. Some of the disorders caused by this overlap in heritability have an adult onset. The genetic variation may cause an increase in susceptibility, but in these cases of adult onset, there measures that can be taken to decrease the likelihood of actually developing one of the disorders mentioned in the article. For example, if I were to discover my genome expressed some of these variants, I could begin to practice coping or meditation methods proved to positively alter the hormonal chemistry in my brain. I am in no way arguing that these methods can cure depression or bipolar disorder, but they could potentially be preventative in some way. My opinion of someone with these variations would only be that they would have to be more introspective and emotionally aware than others if they would like to recognize and/or manage symptoms if they were to ever appear. Coping and other forms of treatment to improve well-being is a much less normative approach than trying to change someone.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post makes me think of when girls would ask their friends "If I was _____ would you stil be my friend?" Implying that if they had strange characteristics, features, or disorders their friends would not accept them.
ReplyDeleteIt is very strange how such different disorders have similar gene variations. If I knew someone close to me that was diagnosed with one of these, it would not change my opinions about them. I don't like the word "normal" because I don't understand what exact characteristics apply to it. Everyone is different and everyone is unique so I believe that despite someone having a disorder, they should be treated equally and fairly as everyone else. If I was diagnosed with a disorder, I don't think that I would seek to alter my DNA because I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe people can still live a beautiful and fulfilling life with a disorder.
I think this article just confirmed already known facts of how some diseases--depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia and autism--are genetically inherited. It was interesting how some of these diseases overlapped. As other students pointed out, I also believe that "normal" is defined by society, social media and other outlets that influence our way of thinking today. If someone that I knew had some of these genetic variation I wouldn't really think any differently of them - as I'm sure they wouldn't be treated any differently either. Genetic variation is something someone is born with, you can't and you shouldn't judge a person by the way there were born. We, just like them, had a 50/50 chance of inheriting certain genetic variations from either of our parents, or both. If I had these genetic variations and I had a choice to become "normal" I think I would consider doing so, depending on weight the risks and benefits of being "normal." I wouldn't want to take away a chance of someone's life because they had to spend all their time and effort in taking care of me because of these diseases. However, I can see how this can pose a problem in a bigger scale if people were able to change their genes to "normal." This would bring up the problem of discrimination since the more wealthier population would be able to have this change of genetic expression done more readily than middle, lower class (a classic example being the movie GATTACA).
ReplyDeleteI found this article very interesting, as did many of my classmates. Society's tolerance has definitely improved in regards to certain mental illnesses, such as autism and ADHD, but unfortunately, others such as schizophrenia are still considered "abnormal." However, I wouldn't let that bet he deciding factor in any of my friendships. If my friend developed a mental disorder, I would want to be more involved and try to help them, not cut them off entirely. That would be cruel and judgmental. Therefore, my opinion of them would definitely not change. It may be harder to get rid of the stigma accompanied to the more un-normalized mental disabilities, but I would try my hardest not to let those stigmas affect my relationship with said friend.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I would also definitely not urge them to change their genes to remove the disability. I feel like that is a more personal issue and up to them to decide. However, personally, if I were to find out that I had the genes for mental disabilities, I would probably go ahead and fix it. I agree with what Vanessa said above: "if you are willing to take medications to control [your mental disability], there should be no reason against taking the next step and removing it all together." I wouldn't want to have a mental disability, nor would I want to have to deal with controlling it. So I might as well just get rid of it altogether. It's the most logical and efficient choice.
Its something I haven't really thought about much but I found it very interesting that our genomes are all so similar and that genes in certain mental illnesses overlap. The fact that the five mental illnesses are linked together by the same genetic variations is incredible. Being able to pinpoint these illnesses specific variations will be helpful in both diagnosing and learning more for possible earlier detections. Being able to look at the genetic makeup of a person in order to directly diagnose someone with an illness will be extremely beneficial seeing as detecting some of these illnesses are not easy.
ReplyDeleteIf I was ever put in a situation where I had the chance to change into being considered "normal" I think would go forth with the cure. Though I do not believe in the term "normal", there are so many stereotypes against mental illnesses and it is just such a hard path to live, I believe I would.
I found this interesting because it's crazy that these 5 mental illnesses are so similarly related on a genetic level. It gives me hope to believe that will be able to identify other illnesses that are similar to one another and through identifying or like Louise said pinpointing those could help us find a cure. For example Alzheimer's disease is related to what other disease that we possibly might already have a cure or a prevention for. That medication could be a roadmap for Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteIf I knew someone with these genes', my opinion of them wouldn't change that much. It would change because I would now associate something that they used to do to their mental illness. I wouldn't however, discontinue being their friend. If I were given the chance for a cure if I had one of these illnesses, I would take it I had bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because out of all the illnesses, those are the ones that I have seen to be detrimental to social life. The other illnesses, I have seen people live "normal" lives.
If I possessed the genetic variation that caused any of these mental disorders, I would probably opt to change my genes to normal. However, I would not take this decision lightly. It is a huge decision, and while the benefits would be great, it is quite possible that there would be some negative effects associated with making the change. I would have to know more about the procedure itself, as well as the associated risks in order to make the decision in good faith. Also, opting to change your genes has a great deal of ethical implications, so considering the morality of the situation would be important.
ReplyDeleteI am fairly certain that the decision to change my genes in this situation would be considered moral because it would involve gene therapy rather than gene enhancement. Gene therapy involves bringing a person up to a baseline normal state in an effort to provide the individual with equal opportunity in society. Changing a genetic variation that causes a major mental illness such as schizophrenia certainly seems to fall into the “gene therapy” category, so this would likely be considered a moral decision. If the disease was less severe, such as mild ADHD, and did not effect my social opportunities (with my career or my social acceptance), it would be much more difficult to justify changing my genetic variation to normal. Some would argue that those with mild ADHD are pretty much normal, and that accepting the act of enhancing normal traits is consistent with values associated with eugenics, which is deeply immoral.
Another consideration is that it is possible that having a severe form of some of these disorders would interfere with my ability to make a rational, autonomous decision about whether I would want to change my genes to normal. For example, if I were severely autistic, it is doubtful that I would be capable of weighing the costs and benefits of changing my genes to “normal”.
My opinion of another person would not change if I were to find out that they had a genetic variation that made them more susceptible to mental illness; however, I might be more likely to encourage them to be aware of warning signs in themselves for such illnesses. I would always want to change my genes to as “normal” as possible if I had any predisposition to any illness, because I would ideally like to be as free of genetic risk factors as possible. This does not, however, mean that I would think less of myself if I did indeed have these genetic risk factors, and being aware of their presence would allow me to be more careful and self-aware concerning my own mental health.
ReplyDeleteShanika Gilmour
It was pretty astonishing to read that these five conditions can be linked to a single mutation. I have known people who know that one of these disorders runs in their family but rarely more than one. I was surprised to learn that presence of this particular mutation accounts for such a high risk for these various disorders. It would be interesting to see more studies done regarding this particular mutation. These various conditions seem like they would be completely unrelated but this one mutation links them, which is fascinating. As with other genetic mutations we know that presence of this particular gene would not guarantee the presence of any of these disorders and regardless I would never change my opinion of someone based on their genetic makeup. I am sure we all have mutations that could be deemed undesirable.
ReplyDeleteThe notion of “normal” is relative. Something is normal when it conforms to the majority. Over the years what is normal changes. For example, until a couple of years ago whites or Caucasians use to be the majority in the US, but now what had been collectively considered the minorities are the majority. When it comes to genes and mutation, I would not judge someone differently if they had an unnormal mutation. If I knew this information, I may suggest that see a mental health professional if their mood begins to change. In they end, I would not think of them any differently, because the normality of these mutations are relative. Furthermore, the artlice said that, “[t]hese variations account for 17-28 percent of mental illness risk,” which suggests that most people with these mutations will not even develop these mental illness. I thought it was really interested how the risk of some of the mental illness and their genetic heritability over lapped. Personally, if possible, I may consider altering my genes because I would not want the live with a disease that could drastically change my mental status and would challenge those around me. At the same time, I would be hesitant about changing that genetic piece, because I don’t know what else it could effect.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting that there is genetic link among these 4 illnesses. The scientific research is astounding however, the goal to make classification “more faithful to nature” this pursuit might lead to stricter diagnostic criteria, which might fail to recognize the spectrum qualities of mental illnesses like autism. If I knew someone who had a variation in these genes, my opinion of them would not change. Firstly because the genes do not equate to mental illness and secondly because a mental illness would not affect my opinion of people who are close to me. If I had a genetic variation and could change them to “normal” I most likely would but only because our society has stigmatized mental illness and made living with them much more difficult, which should be the goal of the public to change those views.
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