A world witnessing a sporadic growth in technology, you talk of cloning, gene therapy, effective information technology, and the likes is bound to wake up one day in order to find a lasting solution to its arch-enemy, death. The Gene Life Map is actually a service or a device to map individual's entire genetic codes that could then help predict how and when they might die. A leading figure in this new development, Craig Venter, an American, who once helped to decipher the human genomes (man's genetic code) plans to provide details of all a person's genes within a week. According to him, an individual possessing his or her gene life map would be to check for mutations linked with illnesses such as cancer and Alzheimer's. At present, scientists can only discern the genetic abnormalities to blame for only few dozen diseases, thousands more are expected to be discovered in the coming decades through the help of this device.

Let's examine this critically well, if indeed the gene life map will be the latest discovery in the science world to checkmate the danger ailments might pose to human health in the nearest future, then the issue of analgesic, operations in the theater may be reduced on the long-run. But, will that stand against the potency of some diseases especially AIDS, which possess the minutest viruses? How cheap will it be, so that the badly hit regions of the world can afford it? Let's listen to what Venter have to say, "I have been approached by a number of people (several millionaires) who want to have their individual genome decoded." Considering this statement, definitely it (gene life map) would be out of the reach of those that deserve to have them (the poor). I am not against the rich from possessing such, but I do begrudge the indifferences coming from the WEST towards the needy countries. where majorities of their population could not afford their daily breads. I do begrudge the manner of approach the world's poorest poor are being marginalized, frustrated. The truth is, Gene Life Map or not, death rules! Of all the epidemics that had ever befallen humanity, diseases had over the years recorded the greatest number of deaths.

The cost is put at $400,000 (see what I mean), the reason for the outrageous cost is that within a week perhaps within a day now, the details of all a person's genes will be provided. To get started, an individual will get a CD (compact disc) enshrining a full description of all his or her genes to pass on to his or her descendants. The technique maps the genes unique to the individual and then marries them up with DNA common to all humans. To achieve this, banks of DNA sequencing machines and computers will do the work showing the increasing power of modern genetics. Truly, this development was made possible as a result of the February 2001 publication of the draft sequence of the human genome.

Though Venter claimed that he intended to use the money realized through his customers to test out new ultra-fast techniques for analyzing DNA that could one day enable everyone to have a map of their genome. But the question is, do we really need Gene Life Map? Share your views!

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"We care to exist on this planet, let's live out this one notion to survive"

Clearly no one needs the Gene Map, but its another useful tool people can use to ensure good health.

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"The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. " — John Stuart Mill

The genome could be extremely useful. And it has to start somewhere before the cost can be reduced. I'm not so sure, with the costs of medicine these days, whether the cost will actually be manageable any time in the near future. But a genetic map will give people more information to make wise choices about their individual health.
On the other hand, most people would do just as well to live a healthy lifestyle regardless of genes. And as you pointed out, the poor especially in the third world do not have so much choice in the matter of healthy lifestyle.
What worries me more is the concept of genetic manipulation, not the type to remove ailments but the type to enhance abilities. This will undoubtedly be expensive and will lead to an unbreakable heirarchy based on a new form of racism. Hopefully it will remain science fiction forever. But I've heard some troubling reports of scientists working on such things.

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"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside