Attached is my resume and DNA
Imagine if the attempts by startups in the genome space like 23andMe were to succeed at cataloging everyone’s DNA. Would this piece of DNA become the ultimate representation of who and what you are? What would be the effects of having all the things that make you uniquely human be reduced to a string of characters?
It’s interesting to wonder if there would exist social networks around your DNA. Imagine a Facebook-style profile page that is uniquely identified by your DNA. Others could browse for the abilities that make you unique, your inherent strengths (and possibly your weaknesses), and possibly “friend” you based on your DNA. Maybe your DNA will be your OpenID or MicroID?
Here are a few interesting thoughts on how different applications could/would use your DNA:
- Dating sites – Matching people based on their DNA would outperform any complex dating algorithm out there right now (or so I believe). Imagine choosing your partner not just based on an algorithm’s recommendation, but based on specific scientific properties – maybe someone that complements your recessive genes?
- Recruiting – What if companies started asking for your genome in addition to your resume? It’s not that far fetched really – some companies already do extensive drug tests. Could companies accept/reject you solely based on your genes? Imagine if a company could pass on hiring a graphic designer just because he/she didn’t have the desired ‘creative’ gene?
- Insurance companies – Your DNA could easily identify the diseases that you’re most susceptible to. Could life insurance companies reject you based on that? Would that be fair?
If you notice, all the above have a common theme of solving the problem of selection (the irony of natural selection). A way to solve it is to carefully quantify the selection criteria and score individual candidates against each criteria. Fortunately, that’s not mathematically and/or scientifically possible right now (that’s why we have approximation models). But that may all change once each selection criteria can be mapped to a specific gene. The selection problem will not only be solved, but the answer may be very accurate – too accurate.
Do you think its a good idea to decode the entire human genome? Will companies like 23andMe have unfortunate and undesired side-effects? Should there be a fair-use clause for DNA samples?
PrasSarkar.com
3 Comments, Comment or Ping
There is such a thing as too much information (and truth). It’s a person’s birth right to reveal as much or as little of him/herself as he/she wants. The consequences of such actions are a different issue.
The very fact that you’ve picked two negative for one positive shows how wrong this can be. Even the example of dating sites. It might make some people social outcasts for no fault of their own, and without a chance to prove themselves either.
If DNA profiling does come into mainstream use, we will be killing off human interactions as we know it today. You will no longer judge them off their actions. You’ll look at their genes. And hence, the question must be asked. If a person commits a crime, can he use his genes as an excuse for violent behaviour?
The pitfalls seem too many compared to the upsides.
Apr 8th, 2008
Hi Pras,
Interesting post, kind of like the time for Gattaca is here,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gattaca
It might happen, particularly in field where employers have more leverage, like you pointed out about drug tests, etc.
Personally it is progress by any standards.
Amit
Apr 8th, 2008
@Aditya: I agree, the importance of human interactions may diminish over time if most of that information can be accurately verified by your DNA. On the flip side, genetic information may be able to prove/disprove the insanity plea.
@Amit: Gattaca is almost here :] Society at large has to be careful and monitor closely the extent of information employers can ask for legally.
Apr 8th, 2008
Reply to “Attached is my resume and DNA”