The other day someone sent me a link to an article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution about your body knowing how you will die(<--free subscription). Studies at Emory University are headed right toward Gattaca. The insurance and medical communities are keeping an eye on the research.
If you have watched either of my two favorite movies from recent times, you know there are all sorts of implications and flaws with this concept. On the mental side, if you "knew" you were going to die next week of a heart attack, how would do things differently this week? Quit your job, take out a big life insurance policy, suicide, attack your 6th grade bully, spend time with family?
Lot's of ways that different folks would deal with the situation. On the other hand, if you get hit by a bus this week, while you are doing the stuff that you decided to do instead of your normal routine, does that make your demise the fault of someone else? In the world of Minority Report, maybe the knowledge of upcoming death makes you more liable for things that week.
On the fiscal side, the insurance companies would love to terminate coverage for folks that they think are going to run up medical or life insurance claims. Now, it is harder to live a normal life because the DNA police are messing with perceptions of your existence. Would you do an Anna Nicole for someone in this situation (marry for money assuming death is coming soon?)
For now, nothing changes, but know that we are getting closer to a world where the more society understands about individuals, the more likely that information will be used strategically against you.
Look out for the pre-cogs!
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