Mercies in Disguise: When You Know How You'll Likely Die

(originally aired March 21, 2017) Guest: Gina Kolata, Author and Science Reporter, New York Times, Author of “Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, A Family’s Genetic Destiny, and the Science that Rescued Them” If a blood test could tell you that you would probably die of an incurable disease, would you get the test? Amanda Baxley faced that dilemma after watching her father, uncle, and grandfather succumb to a rare and fatal condition known as Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS), which has symptoms similar to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.  As Amanda pondered getting the blood test to see if she, too, had the gene for GSS, some in her family begged her not to. Just think of the Pandora’s box such knowledge could unlock for a family with deep religious beliefs. . .  The story of the Baxley clan of South Carolina and their wrestle with GSS is detailed a book by Gina Kolata titled “Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family’s Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them.”