Is this the future, online DNA testing and results?

[Brendan]

I just came across this post on TechCrunch - My 23andMe DNA Results (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/02/my-23andme-dna-results/)

Some extremely interesting stuff, basically you send in a sample of spit to 23andme and they do a DNA test and post your results to your account with some pretty amazing results about your genetic makeup..

The question I am pondering is, will this be the future of social networking? will we log into Facebook and do a search for someone who has the same genetic makeup as us? Or will employers be able to search a database of people and choose the person who has the best gene pool for the job?

What social impact do you think these kind of results could yield?

[crackers]

Its interesting.

I really hope its not the future, or we will have a situation such as that from movies such as gattaca.

I can see the benefits for employers, but I believe there would be alot of equal opportunity things which man come in the way.

Scares me really.

[Slade]

Agree.. it is very scary, while its very cool and interesting to know what your genetic makeup means, what does this hold for the future?

maybe I should start a website genedating.com and you can search people who meet your genetic requirements.

Or maybe there will be a website makemeababy.com and you can design your perfect child.

I think while it is great for medical science and helping cure disease, I think there may be a huge social impact if used in the wrong context.

[rosshill]

I think Gattaca is an interesting look at things. I really don't see the world being quite that extreme though. Privacy is a massive issue, and I know I wouldn't want to promote on social networks that I "have potential lower back pain". I certainly don't care that much that Mike Arrington has wet earwax and could get breast cancer - but I'd probably like my doctor to know those things.

[crackers]

Yeah, It has some massive Medical benefits which I could see as being helpful.