In this issue, Greer Donley, Sara Chandros Hull,
and Benjamin E. Berkman explore the implications of using whole genome
sequencing in the prenatal context. They focus on how whole genome sequencing
may refine pregnancy expectations, impact child-rearing decisions, and
foreclose children’s desire not to know more about their future. Their paper
inspired me to reimagine the predominant worldviews of genomics prediction. One
worldview is characterized by woe: the world as we know it will be forever
changed unless we avoid the perils of genomics. I found myself thinking of this
as the Eeyore phenotype. The Tigger phenotype is a worldview characterized by
confidence: the world as we know it is forever changed, and we should embrace
our genomic future. Donley, Hull,
and Berkman adopt a new phenotype, one that perhaps resembles Christopher
Robin. This worldview is characterized by its commitment to moving forward,
nurturing relationships, and deliberating thoughtfully: it applies the
evidentiary model to whole genome sequencing. Like Christopher Robin, who
accepted that growing up was inevitable, the authors appreciate that progress
is inevitable. Their response is to offer recommendations for research that
might help the Eeyores and Tiggers find common ground.
In this issue, Greer Donley, Sara Chandros Hull,
and Benjamin E. Berkman explore the implications of using whole genome
sequencing in the prenatal context. They focus on how whole genome sequencing
may refine pregnancy expectations, impact child-rearing decisions, and
foreclose children’s desire not to know more about their future. Their paper
inspired me to reimagine the predominant worldviews of genomics prediction. One
worldview is characterized by woe: the world as we know it will be forever
changed unless we avoid the perils of genomics. I found myself thinking of this
as the Eeyore phenotype. The Tigger phenotype is a worldview characterized by
confidence: the world as we know it is forever changed, and we should embrace
our genomic future. Donley, Hull,
and Berkman adopt a new phenotype, one that perhaps resembles Christopher
Robin. This worldview is characterized by its commitment to moving forward,
nurturing relationships, and deliberating thoughtfully: it applies the
evidentiary model to whole genome sequencing. Like Christopher Robin, who
accepted that growing up was inevitable, the authors appreciate that progress
is inevitable. Their response is to offer recommendations for research that
might help the Eeyores and Tiggers find common ground.