Institute For The Future

Infectious Disease Previews

According to the WSJ, a Pentagon project has identified several genes that activate shortly before a person begins to show signs of/experience the flu—opening up opportunities to let people effectively preview if they’re going to get the flu. The Journal notes that this technology could be used by other institutions—schools, for example—during pandemic outbreaks or fears to make decisions about keeping institutions open, and so on. But I think the public health implications for adults are more interesting—would employers use the technology to ban sick employees? Would airlines prevent pre-sick people from getting onto planes?