#92, Mortality

mortality: the state of being subject to death

Huntington's disease is a fatal neurological disorder that affects approximately 1 in every 10,000 people (it mostly affects people of European descent, do not worry Asian babies).  It is a purely hereditary disease.  If one of your parents has it, there is a 50% chance it will be passed on to you.

Huntington's affects every aspect of mind, thinking and body. It causes all kinds of uncontrollable movements throughout your body. Your face wiggles, your arms move. And then also people very often have very severe depression, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive disorders. And also cognitive problems, so difficulty thinking, remembering, executive functions, you know so every aspect really of mind and body and thought.

People who may develop Huntington's can take a simple blood test to see if they will be affected.  It will tell them whether or not their life will be cut short.

SOURCE: http://www.freakonomics.com/2013/06/20/do-you-really-want-to-know-your-future-full-transcript/

This week in class we discussed the idea of hypothetical test that would tell you the exact date of your death.  Each of the four classes was split almost exactly 50/50 as to whether or not they would or would not get the test.  The discourse was very enlightening so we will be extending it outside the classroom.  If a test existed that could tell you the year of your death, would you take it?

Optional: What is one thing on your to-do list of life?

-Brenden Lee Teacher

can't believe you're mine