I am interested in researching human genomic sequencing and its importance in a holistic health care approach. My research question is: Should personal genetic sequencing be utilized as part of an approach to disease prevention and holistic health? This particular research question does not have a huge effect on my values. My experience with personal genomic sequencing has definitely influenced my opinion on the topic. I struggled greatly with a mood disorder, anxiety, and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Doctors knew that these medical conditions were biological but they were unable to find medication that worked. I was constantly switching from medication to medication and attended countless doctors' appointments trying to figure out the best way to support myself. This was not only difficult because I was struggling with mental illness, but also because no one could figure out the best way to help support or solve the issue. When I discovered personal genetic sequencing, I learned that it targets the biological source of the illness and doctors who are able to read the genome are able to pinpoint exactly what the source of the illness is and how to fix it through the means of diet and supplements. I was a little skeptical at first, but after experiencing the process, myself, I thoroughly believe that personal genomic sequencing should be utilized as an approach to disease prevention and holistic health. After looking at my genome, the doctors were able to find the exact biological reason as to why I was struggling and then were able to give me the supplements and dietary instructions as to how to fix it. I saw results immediately. My personal experience makes me qualified to write about this topic. 

Claim and Major Evidence: This informative article discusses what genome sequencing is, its importance, and how to sequence a genome. It describes a genome as being written in an unfamiliar language. Decoding a genome does not mean that all the information on a species is readily available. Scientists must continue to gather information to learn what exactly the different variants of a genome mean and how they are related and work in the body.

Values and Interests at Stake: The Genome News Network has a clear stake in the world of personal genomic sequencing because the support spreading information about the topic. This organization clearly values the idea of genomic sequencing as it informs people about current news regarding genomes. This affiliation makes the organization a clear stake holder in regards to personal genomic sequencing.

Credibility and Bias: This article is written by the Genome News Network. This ".org" organization is credible because it is a licensed organization focused mainly on genetic news. The information is more likely to be accurate when it is solely focused on the single topic of genomic news. This article is an informative article, meaning that there should not be any bias. A purely informative article allows readers to form their own opinions based on the information they are given and an absence of bias. 


Claim and Major Evidence: This argumentative article describes the health benefits, social connections, and consequences regarding personal genetics and personal genome sequencing. It includes both pros and cons to the debate as to whether or not personal genome sequencing is beneficial. It discusses that early discovery of possible diseases can be beneficial or detrimental depending on whether or not the individual actually ends up acquiring the disease.

Values and Interests at Stake: The organization that wrote this article is a clear stake holder. The Personal Genetics Education Project fully supports the usage of personal genetic sequencing and therefore they have a bias towards the usage of personal genetic sequencing. They clearly value disease prevention and support it through human genetic sequencing. This combined with their affiliation as an organization makes the Personal Genetics Education Project a clear stake holder in this argument. 

Credibility and Bias: This article is written by the Personal Genetics Education Project. This organization focuses specifically on personal genetics; therefore, the information is very credible. Licensed organizations, like the Personal Genetics Education Project are usually more likely to have credible organization than other sources where anyone can create a website and post information. This argumentative article provides information while arguing mainly for the use of personal genetic testing. In an argumentative article like this, the reader receives information about the topic but may be swayed one way or another because of the author's bias opinion. 

Claim and Major Evidence: This article talked about DNA methylation and epigenetic modification. DNA methylation is extremely important when it comes to developmental processes and the state of diseases. Specifically, the article discussed DNA cytosine methylation and the biological processes and how methylation effects them. Methylation is an extremely important because it is necessary for the cell's normal developmental processes. It also discusses the fact that the dysregulation of DNA methylation happens when the cells are in diseased states (cancerous states).

Values and Interests at Stake: There are not any clear stake holders in this article. Since the article serves as an informative source, the author does not have a stake in the matter. As far as values go, the article does not really discuss any. It is purely dry information about genomic sequencing, rather than an opinion on whether or not it is beneficial and should be used. 

Credibility and Bias: All three authors are affiliated with the Genomic Medicine Institute. This is an extremely credible institute that focuses on genomic work, meaning that the authors' affiliation makes them very credible. Author credibility matters because it determines the whether or not the article is relevant or credible. There is not much bias in this article since it is a primary article focused on the experiment. This text serves as purely informative rather than including a bias.

The research question is arguable because there are clear arguments that can be used on each side. I have found some sources stating that personal genomic sequencing is positive and should be used because it assists in disease prevention and it attends to the condition at a biological level, which provides a more complete health care experience. Others have argued that the assessment of what disease an individual might have later in life is not always accurate. Some view the usage of dietary changes and supplements as "hippy health" mainly because the world is wrapped up in the business of pharmaceuticals. I am able to see the perspective of how finding out the chances of actually acquiring a disease may effect a person's way of life; however, I would argue this with the fact that people need to be educated thoroughly about the possibilities and have the ability to confide in a genetic counselor to support them in making decisions after obtaining their genomic information. I think I need to be more specific in my research question. I will discuss more about the importance of personal genomic sequencing in health care and less about it disease prevention. Each of the two aspects are very broad and have many different facets, so I am going to choose one to focus on.
