In light of pop legend Prince’s reported painkiller addiction, CNBC featured a new gene-based test that determines if patients have a high risk of addiction to painkillers, before a prescription can be written.
Experts worry that genetic testing could be an overly simple solution to the problem.
“There is danger associated with people assuming that any problems that they have with addictions are entirely genetically determined. It can lead to fatalism or overestimation of risk for children experiencing similar problems,” said Jehannine Austin, president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and a UBC professor of psychiatry and medical genetics.
