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There are currently 38 member reviews
for Mercies in Disguise
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Sandra L. (Delray Beach, FL)
Mercies in Disguise
I found this 'medical mystery' very informative and extremely interesting and had a hard time putting it down! The family that was followed became my friends and I was quite emotionally involved in their story. The author does a good job balancing the technical information with the true circumstances of the Baxley family. If you liked "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" you will enjoy this book! Great for book clubs.
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Carol T. (Ankeny, IA)
Mercies and opportunities
Well-written, informative, well-developed characters. I found myself sad to see the book end. I will look for more books by Kolata.
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Peggy H. (North East, PA)
Fascinating Read
I wasn't sure what to expect when I received this book, but I couldn't put it down. It was so intriguing and so fascinating, I found it hard to believe that it was true. This is thought provoking, not only about the ethical questions raised regarding genetic testing for this rare disease, but for issues in IVF, and even BRCA testing.
And my heart breaks when I think about the Amanda's future.
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Barbara O. (Maryland Heights, MO)
Outstanding and Inspirational!
I devoured this book in less than a day. The author, Gina Kolata, does a masterful job introducing the reader to a little known genetically inherited disease with no cure. The story introduces us to a small town Southern family giving GSS a "real" face. You will love and admire these people as you follow their story and their quest to diagnose the illness that has manifested itself in the family's patriarch. The resultant questions and the individual decisions and impact on each family member keep you engaged and emotionally invested in their story. I cannot say enough about the dignity and courage of this family as they make their decisions once they learn the identity of this disease and it's physical impact on their loved ones. I was left wondering, what would I do? It's a beautiful story and hopeful despite this disease's inevitable physical impact.
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Maribeth R. (Indianapolis, IN)
What would your decision be?
What would you do if you knew that a genetically-transmitted, debilitating neuromuscular disease was lurking in your family AND you had the opportunity to undergo testing to discover if the gene resided inside you? And if you learned that you carried the gene, what accommodations would you make to your life in preparation for what lies in your future? Kolata tells the story of an endearing family who faced the consequences of such decisions. Unlike the fictionalized O'Briens (Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova), the Baxley family members are real and will touch your heart. This short volume lays bare what we face in the medical world where we can now learn whether some diseases are likely to touch us because of our genes and not because of our lifestyle. Do you want to know whether you have the probability of developing Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or Huntington's, and if you find out, what are the consequences that might occur? Loss of insurance, loss of job, a change in your attitude as to how you want to live your life - what do we want to know, and how can we determine if we should know our status, even if the test is easily accessible?
This book won't answer all those questions, but it should be a discussion starter for all of us as we face the expanding ability of medicine to answer questions that may be better unasked. This book will stimulate your thinking and will make you grieve for the family members who must face uncertainty (and certainty) in their futures. You won't be the same once you've come to know the Baxleys.
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Lisa G. (Wheeling, IL)
Mercies in Disguise
This book is not for everyone. It is rather scientific and not everyone's cup of tea. I read it in one sitting since it hit home for me on many levels, recently losing a loved one to a neurological disease and having a close family member go through the same embryo screening procedures at the same lab because of a different genetic condition. I find medical research extremely interesting and the author presented it in a way that kept my interest. I don't think most book groups would find this book a good fit although mine loved The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and this reminded me of that book.. The book brought up the ethical issue of wanting to know if you have a fatal genetic disease or not and how different family members made different choices.
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Dawn C. (Meridian, ID)
Mercies in Disguise by Gina Kolata
Th Baxley family has a history of a neurological disease similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Having lost a grandfather and now a father to this peculiar disease, two brothers who are doctors are looking for a reason for the disease and a possible cure. Other scientists are also searching for a cure. What if they find a gene that can be found with a simple test? Will Amanda be willing to find out if she has the gene that will potentially kill her? What would you do? These are questions faced by the family.
I like the chapters that discuss the family and you get to know them on a personal level. The chapters that explain the science of the disease and what they are doing to eradicate the disease are also very informative. All in all, what would I do is the prominent question here.
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