MEMORANDUM
TO: Editors and Reporters
FROM: Marjorie Centofanti
410-955-8725
DATE: July 10, 2000
SUBJECT: Genohype: Scientists Warn Predictions Of Genome's Benefits May Be Modern Version of The Emperor's New Clothes
Scientists at Johns Hopkins and Kings College in London don't enjoy being nay-sayers at the parade of potential benefits suggested by those close to the Human Genome Project. But in an article in the July 13 New England Journal of Medicine, they say we may, in part, be seeing what we want to see.
Hopkins' Neil Holtzman, M.D., and Theresa Marteau of Kings College argue that the new genetics will not spark a revolution in predicting or preventing common illnesses. The diseases most of us suffer, they say, result from a number of genes acting together so that a single gene seldom plays a predominant (and easily targeted) role. It's all too complex, they say, for the simple fix.
Further, the researchers say, in the likelihood of getting most diseases, genetic factors are the least of our worries. On top of that, studies show that unless they're in a small, high risk group, most people don't want to know they're carrying flawed genes.
Holtzman is available for interviews prior to the publication of the NEJM article which is embargoed for Wednesday, July 12 at 4 p.m. EDT. Call Marjorie Centofanti or e-mail at [email protected].
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