The Independent reports that scientists have developed a genetic test that can fairly accurately predict whether someone will live to 100. According to the newspaper, scientists examined the genomes of 1,055 centenarians from different parts of the world and compared slight variations in their DNA with the genetic makeup of a set of people younger than 100. They found that by concentrating on just 150 individual mutations in the human genome, they could predict with 77% accuracy whether someone belonged to the group of centenarians.
The ethical implications of this research are frightening. As philosopher AC Grayling says, there's a lot to be said about the natural uncertainties with live with. We plan our lives around these uncertainties. Most of us assume we will live to a good age. But if we knew we were going to die sooner than later, we'd never get anything done.
Grayling also points out that this sort of information could be abused. He warns: "One issue in all this that poses a serious dilemma is: what if third parties like employers or insurance companies began to discriminate against people on the basis of their genetic makeup? There is a danger, particularly in the next few years as this knowledge trickles out in partial dribs and drabs, that third parties begin to use it against us."
As we release more an more of this research, society needs to be prepared for the ethical implications. Safeguards need to be put in place to protect the public interest.
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