http://online.sfsu.edu/%7Erone/GEessays/gedanger.htm
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http://www.i-sis.org.uk/genomicsforhealth.php

" . . . . Sir David Weatherall, one of UK�s most eminent geneticists, has warned, "the remarkable complexity of the genotype-phenotype relationship has undoubtedly been underestimated.... It has led to many statements being made about the imminence of accurate predictive genetics that are simply not true". Nevertheless, he still believes that more information will eventually result in accurate predictive genetics. But will it?

We already know that environmental variables - such as hygiene and living conditions, exposure to toxic substances, social class, diet and other �lifestyle� habits - can all significantly influence disease and disease progression across ethnic groups and major genetic differences. For the vast majority of diseases, the environmental variables will swamp the effects of �susceptibility genes�.

�Susceptibility�, by definition, denotes weak linkage, and can never give firm predictions. Moreover, it describes the population attribute of certain genes, and says nothing at all about the susceptibility of individual human beings. Thus, �personalised� medicine based on susceptibility genes or SNPs is scientific nonsense at best. At worst, it can be an excuse for genetic discrimination and eugenics.

Dr. Richard Strohman, Emeritus Professor of University of California, Berkeley, expressed doubts that genomic information will have much impact on human life-span and health in a commentary published in Nature biotechnology last year.

Genes influencing general health and longevity are numerous, perhaps hundreds or even thousands, but their effects are confounded by interaction with the environment. It is simply impossible to pin them down. Scientists face a �computational barrier� because the possible number of interactions that have to be taken into account far exceeds our ability to cope with them, even with the fastest, biggest computer.

The potential to longevity is equally present in a wide variety of genomes, with environmental factors dominating. And, if through genomics, both of our major diseases, cancer and cardiovascular disease, were eliminated, the total increase in life expectancy is estimated to be less than three years."
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http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/sr...e/past/Biotech25.htm

Here are some promising therapies, one considered alternative, the other the first mainstream gene therapy, for cancer treatment:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/en...t&list_uids=15035876


http://www.betterhumans.com/Er...le.2003-11-20-5.aspx


http://www.immunemedicine.com/...tic-cell-therapy.asp

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/en...t&list_uids=15846368


The last two links are re: the most efficacious form of cell therapy currently being researched, with a variety of clinical trials showing promise.