Freakonomics Radio 131. Do You Really Want to Know Your Future?
Jun 20, 2013
The podcast discusses the desire for certainty in knowing one's medical future, specifically focusing on Huntington's disease. It explores the journey of Nancy Wexler in finding a cure, the choices individuals make regarding testing and education, the impact of bad test results on depression levels, and the surprising preference for living with uncertainty. The podcast also touches on the limited treatment options for Huntington's disease and the stress of being a public figure with a potential genetic condition.
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Leonor's Diagnosis
- Nancy Wexler's mother, Leonor, experienced strange symptoms, like unsteady gait, initially mistaken for drunkenness.
- Leonor was diagnosed with Huntington's disease, a fatal neurological disorder, that afternoon.
Huntington's Disease: Hereditary and Devastating
- Huntington's disease is hereditary, with a 50% inheritance chance if one parent has it.
- The disease affects mind and body, causing uncontrollable movements, depression, and cognitive issues.
Family Tragedy and Foundation's Origin
- Leonor's family history was tragically marked by Huntington's, with her father and brothers succumbing to it.
- Driven by Leonor's suicide attempt, Nancy's father initiated the Hereditary Disease Foundation in 1967.