Variant of Uncertain Significance

Cass Barrett

I don’t know my intent
Until the conclusion is foregone
Until suddenly I am expounded
Flourishing, metastatic-
Fully realized.

Or else, I lay quiet a lifetime in anticipation
Unmanifest, I wait asking: Is it now?
Without this wondering, I could have been free
Instead, I feel the trickle of days…
Each passing as I hear you say:
I would rather have you take me than be a shadow in the corner of my dreams
I would rather have seen you corrode my flesh, so I could beat you back
I would rather have you be my blatant enemy than an unfaithful lover
Please be evil, so I can hang the hat of all my misery on you

The Science

A VUS or ‘Variant of Uncertain Significance’ is one of the possible results from genetic testing. A positive result means that a genetic change was found that is known to cause disease. A negative result means that no such change was found, or that any changes found are known to be benign. A VUS is a change in limbo. There is insufficient evidence to know what the implications of the change are. VUS’s often cause patients more distress than a positive result, because they leave the patient without answers or clinical action steps.

The Poet

Cass Barrett is a genetic counsellor in training with a background in biotechnology. Their professional work focuses on centring patient perspectives within technology development. Cass uses writing as a tool for the exploration of the emotional aspects of scientific concepts as well as the societal and interpersonal implications of imagined/emerging technologies.

Next poem: when i was in two bodies, halved by Peter Scalpello