From the beginning, the committee engaged in proactive and forward thinking. Rhead explained, for example, that we now know five to ten percent of cancer is genetic. Even in cases where three previous generations had early breast cancer, only in a few cases is there a detectible gene mutation. Health professionals have an obligation to disclose information to all at high risk but, in his opinion, we should not let genetic research become sidetracked by furor over a few prominent cases. We ought to be able to divert resources to these issues.
Human beings are good at rising to challenges.
For most, the world is better than it was. We ought to be able to deal with these issues and care for our citizens. Rhead supports an appropriate balance with plenty of funding for practical clinical care. There are all kinds of examples of that. We have all kinds of tools we didn't have before, both for diagnosis and treatment, and it will get better.