Philosophy of Genetics

Spit Party at New York fashion show

At their recent spit party in Manhattan, "personalized genetics" company 23andMe wowed the stars, and invited them to have their DNA tested. Just spit in a cup, and have your sample analyzed for $399, a pretty good deal.

Better act fast though.  The FDA is currently cracking down on companies like 23andMe, in an apparent attempt to limit a citizen's right to self-knowledge.  Fortunately, some people are now fighting back against the regulators (see, for example, Wired Magazine's "Top 10 Reasons that Regulators should not hinder Genetic testing")

David Duchovny's "addiction" to become a disease in 2012

David Duchovny recently entered rehab for an addiction.  Or perhaps it should be called a compulsion?  In any case, according to the New York Times:

Sex addiction is not listed as a disorder in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the bible of psychiatric disorders, but it is being considered ... for inclusion in the next edition, the DSM-V due in 2012.

So Duchovny's lack of willpower in 2008 (for which he is responsible) will become a treatable disease in 2012 (for which he is not responsible). An act of free will is transformed -- magically! -- into an affliction, by the American Psychiatric Association, publisher of the DSM.  I smell conspiracy, Mulder!

In an age where certain drugs can trigger complex behaviors (like gambling), it's not to hard to see how our genes can cause "addictions" as well.  Duchuvny has free will to do whatever he wants, but he can't choose his wants themselves, since they're genetic. Your genes are not something you have, they are something you are.