Questions surrounding breast cancer genesThe process of unlocking the mysteries of the human genome creates enormous possibilities in the world of science. Knowing where a specific gene is located on our chromosomes allows scientists to peer inside the human body more intensely than any x-ray ever could. By analyzing the genetic makeup of human beings, scientists can trace diseases back to their most fundamental stages. In recent years, scientists have discovered two genes that play a role in the development of various types of cancer in men and women. With the added ability to test individuals for possession of distorted copies of these genes, many ethical questions have been raised. Although the majority of objections to these tests appear to stem from economic and political issues, social concerns also remain. Over time, these questions will need to be resolved, because as is increasingly the case, scientific developments precede, rather than follow, serious ethical and legal reflection. In a healthy body, each of 30 trillion cells work together to regulate information transfer, movement, and countless other processes. One of the most crucial functions of each cell, however, is to regulate cell growth itself and that of neighboring cells. This is accomplished by creating controls on cell growth, such that no cell can reproduce unless the cells around it tell it to do so. When placed in a petri dish with food, a single cell divides until copies begin to reach the walls and come into contact with each other. At this point they will exhibit the contact inhibition property and stop growing. However, cancer cells "violate this pattern... middle of article...... Impact of Genetics on Health Care in the United States," Biology 4, Dartmouth College, February 13, 1997. Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. "BRACAnalysis: Comprehensive BRCA1 and BRCA2 Sequence Analysis for Susceptibility to Breast and Ovarian Cancer", http://www.myriad.com/Product_Reference, (February 26, 1997). “Genetic analysis of breast and ovarian cancer risk: Is it right for you?” http://www.myriad.com/Patient_pre-test, (February 26, 1997). “Myriad Genetics presents the first comprehensive breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility test." http://www.myriad.com/Launch_PR, (February 26, 1997). "Second localized breast cancer gene." http:// www.dukenews.duke.edu/Latest/Brca2, (February 26, 1997). “Is Genetic Testing Premature?” », Scientific American, September 1996, 62-70.