Smithtown High School East junior, Dharahaas Nalla, has placed 3rd out of more than 1,200 participants worldwide in the American Society of Human Genetics DNA Essay Contest. This year, students weighed the risks and benefits of using artificial intelligence (AI) in genetic testing.
Dharahaas had to respond to the following essay prompt:
"Artificial intelligence (AI)—advanced computer systems that can quickly analyze large amounts of data—is being used in many areas of healthcare, from diagnosing diseases to recommending treatments. Now, experts are also using AI to help interpret genetic testing results, which examine your DNA to understand your risk for certain diseases or guide treatments. If you had to undergo genetic testing, would you want AI to be used to help make sense of your results?"
The contest included 45 states and 59 countries. For his efforts, Dharahaas has earned $400.
Pictured from left: Ms. Maria Zeitlin, ThINK Discovery Science Research Coordinator, Dharahaas Nalla, and Dr. Stephanie O'Brien, Smithtown Central School District Science Dept. Director
