Educational Media Reviews Online

These two Canadian public television documentaries focus on the medical and social issues surrounding the general topic of genetic testing and disease diagnosis, and the specific topic of genetic mapping and cystic fibrosis.

The first video, Measuring Up looks at the ways that medical advances in genetic testing have forced hard choices on families and society, but most immediately on families. Different perspectives are examined through interviews with genetics researchers, medical ethicists and genetic disease victims and their families, with an admirably balanced and realistic approach. This tightly constructed yet thorough review would serve very well as an introduction to the issues for health care professionals, religious and social concerns groups and students alike.

DNA and Cystic Fibrosis sharpens the focus to a specific genetic disease, which happens to also have been among the first to have its particular genetic makeup identified fifteen years ago. Unfortunately the initial rosy predictions of improved treatment and even a cure for CF that followed this discovery and gave families like the one followed in the film so much hope were not immediately realized. This documentary examines the advances that have been made since those earliest genetic codes for diseases were deciphered, with both the current realities and the future promise of genetic mapping laid out in frank, understandable terms. Another excellent introduction for both students and professionals as well as concerned laymen.