"Isn't it a little disturbing that genetic science has caused Angelina Jolie to remove a perfectly fine pair of breasts? A "faulty gene" gave her good reason to watch them carefully, but preventive surgery? Now that science has mapped the human genome, is this the future? I have seen no criticism of her decision since her article appeared in the OpEd pages of the New York Times this week and I don't particularly want to be the first. Cancer is a fearful prospect and personal health decisions have to be respected even when someone wants to share her ordeal with the world. But the article went much further. She said, "I am writing about it now because I hope other women can benefit from my experience ... today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action. To "any woman reading this", she said, "I hope it helps you to know you have options ... It has got to be a priority to ensure that more women can access gene testing and lifesaving preventive treatment, whatever their means and background, wherever they live"."
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