In search of Chinggis Khan's genes

Abstract

"Genetic investigations at a population scale aim to reveal for various purposes the distribution of certain determinants in human population. Specialists may look for genes responsible for various disease or just for alleles specific to a certain group in order to gather a picture of one or more persons' genealogy. The usual ethical issue associated with type of investigation is thought to be the risk of discrimination that might arise for some subjects in certain contexts due to the results of genetic analysis. E.g., people carrying "bad" genes might not be able to get employment or a health insurance in spite of the fact that the relationship between genes, predisposition conferred by them and actual manifestations of the corresponding disease is not that easy to specify as in "you- have- the- gene- that- means- you- will- get- ill". But, the absence of an algorithm adequate for quantification of the genetic risk might very well lead from the perspective of an insurance agent to a refusal of insurance. "Unknown risk" is prudent to be read as "risk" only and insurance agents should be prudent by nature and training. "