Born to Die

The researchers behind this study insist that a diagnostic test would save more lives than it would ruin. They cite medical help, including gene therapy, can stop suicide in its tracks, once the faulty gene is discovered. While most people would agree to this, others point out that gene therapy is expensive, and rarely covered by insurance plans. If an insurance plans could get a hold of someone's medical records, and it showed that this person has the suicide gene, they can deny any or all mental health services to that individual, based on a "pre-existing condition".

Then of course, there is the never-ending problem of stigma. Knowing that you have the suicide gene can be as damaging as a scarlet letter. The knowledge alone can make someone despondent enough to consider suicide.

Yes, it would be wonderful to identify all the biological causes of mental illness within our DNA map and eliminate them. But mental illness occurs for other reasons besides the biological; suicide does as well. Instead of attacking a mutant gene in the body, perhaps we should address the whole picture. Mental health is something that needs to be encouraged on all platforms, especially sociological ones. Pointing fingers at a genetic mutation may help that particular chapter, but it doesn't write the book.

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