CALLING ALL CAULICARROTS

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Sounds convenient, but what about accuracy? The Clinicard doesn't give results exact enough for a doctor's diagnosis, says the FDA. It does, however, give readings within three ranges: below 200 mg/dl (desirable level), 200 to 300 (borderline to high), and above. (The cards show 25 mg/dl gradations.) Manufacturers say the home kits are only screening devices, and not meant to replace lab tests (which are deemed "accurate" if they're within 150% of the true reading).

Gene-Therapy Taboos

Gene-Therapy Taboos Long ago, gene doctors agreed that gene therapy on fertilized eggs and embryos was off limits as far as humans are concerned. Reason: Once a gene is inserted into a fertilized egg, it becomes incorporated into every cell —including the sex cells. And that means the extra gene would be passed on to all future progeny—even offspring that don't need it. (Sanctioned gene-therapy would always target specific tissue to eliminate any and all possibilities of novel genes being passed on to future generations.)

Even though animal studies suggest that doctors could, for example, eventually wipe out insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes by inserting an insulin-producing gene in embryos, scientists worldwide have agreed not to try. The risk of mucking up the human gene pool is simply too high.

Another gene-therapy taboo is "eugenic" genetic engineering. That line of research would involve genetically altering such traits as intelligence, personality and organ formation. But rest assured, says a National Academy of Sciences report, these traits are controlled by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of interacting genes. "The genes involved have not been identified. Furthermore, scientists do not have the tools to manipulate these complex traits, and do not expect to have them in the foreseeable future."

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