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Benefits Of Genetic Testing

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The Benefits of Genetic Testing Today, there is more genetic data available for humans than there has ever been. (Regalado 56) Genetic testing has been vital in learning this new information. A genetic test is a test that identifies changes in a patient’s chromosomes, genes or proteins. Genetic testing is completely voluntary and making the decision to have a test done is very complex (What are the Benefits of Genetic Testing? 1). While there are many benefits of genetic testing, there are also a few drawbacks. Test results can cause tension between family members; because not only can the tests reveal something about the patient, they can reveal information about people related to the patient… particularly information that makes people uncomfortable …show more content…

Prenatal testing or newborn testing can be completed on a child to ensure that the child is not at risk for diseases. Prenatal testing is testing for a baby that is still in the womb to determine if they have or carry a disease. Newborn screening tests a newborn baby for the same reasons as a prenatal test (Frequently Asked Questions About Genetic Testing. 1). Prenatal testing poses the risk of having a miscarriage because amniotic fluid around the fetus is required to complete the test (What are the benefits of genetic testing? 1). When amniotic fluid is extracted from around the fetus, the likelihood of having a miscarriage increases. A few other tests that can be run are carrier tests, pharmacogenomic tests, and presymptomatic tests. A carrier test is a test that can determine if the patient is a carrier for a disease. A pharmacogenomic test shows a doctor or researcher how the patient’s body reacts to certain medicines that could possibly be used to treat the disease. These tests can also show a doctor or researcher if a treatment is helping the body or hurting it. A presymptomatic test identifies gene changes that could increase the likelihood of developing a disease (Frequently Asked Questions About Genetic Testing. 1). A genetic counselor can aid a patient in making a decision about a particular genetic test by giving unbiased information …show more content…

Cancer comes from the accumulation of genetic abnormalities in somatic cells, which are all cells other than reproductive cells. The basic mechanism of cancer is mutation; and mutations can either be acquired because of exposure to carcinogens or inherited from blood related family. Germline mutations are passed through the family and appear in 5-10% of cancer cases. Sporadic or Somatic mutations are caused by exposure to carcinogens throughout someone’s lifetime. They are the result of deficiencies in DNA repair, endogenous and exogenous exposure to carcinogens, and enzymatic alterations in DNA. Endogenous means that the exposure originated inside the body while exogenous means that the exposure to carcinogens originated from outside the body. Normal and regulatory genes are the most common target of genetic damage (The Importance of Genetic Testing in Cancer 1). After years of testing, officials have been able to clarify genetic predisposition as well as learn more about cancer cells. Because of research and testing, there are 500 known genes involved in cancer development. Genetic testing in cancer is important because it allows the healthcare professional to determine what treatment the patient will most benefit from, the patient’s response to the therapy, what the drug is targeting and drug resistance in the patient.

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I agree. In some cases, knowing that you have a mutation and will be affected with the disease could be very emotional for an individual. One never knows how they will respond to the result and pretesting counseling may not fully prepare the individual for the result. One question that has been raised is should genetic counseling be allowed for diseases that are not treatable? It is thought that if an individual knows they will develop a condition that has no treatment it could cause psychological harm, stigmatization, and possible discrimination.

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Copeland’s purpose to inform, as well as engage or entertain, is developed through the structure of the article. Specifically, the structure of Copeland’s article consists of a personal story and other examples, along with statistical data. Copeland wants her readers to understand how DNA testing can be an emotional process, having positive outcomes for many families and yet also causing potential burdens for

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Maternal blood screening test is use to measures the mother blood to find any

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Through DNA testing we can now see which diseases we will likely pass down to our children. Although this ability can be life-saving in the aspect it can be used to prevent diseases in children, it also can affect the parents’ desires

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Copeland carefully selects words in the introduction to emphasize an overall nonchalance in compiling such comprehensive information, “Over the past five years, as the price of DNA testing kits has dropped and their quality has improved, the phenomenon of ‘recreational genomics’ has taken off,” (Copeland). The use of “recreational” suggests the practice of gathering broad scientific information lacks gravity. In fact, the author contrasts the word with more levity with the use of “genomics”, a concrete science that affects the structure and function of genetic information. The dramatic usage indicates to the audience that users of DNA testing are incapable of understanding all possible consequences of accessible genetic testing. Traditions of past generations provide a foundation for the identity of future generations.

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In chapter seven of Genetic Turning Points by James Peterson, the topic of genetic counselors is discussed in terms of their role in the genetic testing process. In my ethical opinion, genetic counselors are a necessary component of the genetic testing process. Without them, ethical lines are more likely to be crossed as I believe more patients would undergo genetic testing without fully understanding what he/ she is giving their consent for and also receive unrequested results. Additionally, I believe that the absence of genetic counselors leads to patients being pressured into receiving tests he/she did not want or ask to take. , and receive unrequested results as well.

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Introduction Dr. Gress’s view that the results of a genetic test should be withheld from patients if they are positive is paternalistic, immoral, and does not consider the autonomy of the individual. He holds the position that notifying patients of their genetic status is too harmful and that it is a doctor’s duty to withhold information that could be devastating; however, in doing so, he violates many ethical principles that doctors should exercise. This paper will give an overview on the topic of genetic testing and the ethical and moral problems associated with it, an analysis rejecting Dr. Gress’s view, and a response to an objection to the thesis of which this paper is based on. Presentation of Topic

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Yimaj Sherif ENG 1520 Dr. James 20 July 2015 Arresting DNA June 25, 1999 Roger E Carlson sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint, raping her multiple times; the woman was taken to a hospital where a swab of semen was extracted from her. The woman suffered a traumatic experience and was forced to live with her rapist being out in the world free. It wasn’t until October of 2013 when the sample of DNA that was taken had a match. When Carlson was arrested, a second sample was to be tested to validate the first sample.

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After reading the articles,”Why We Should Think Twice About Giving Genetic Tests to Our Kids” ,by Michael White, and “Genetic Testing for Kids:Is It a Good Idea?”, by Bonnie Rochman, parents should not give these tests to their children. If the children did take the test the result would outway the benefits, they would have anxiety, and the testing doesn’t always work. One main reason that a child should not the test is ,they could have anxiety for the rest of their lives. If a child took the genetic test they could learn they have a deadly disease they don’t know about yet.

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Letting insurance companies have access to these results gives them a better chance to determine the cost of one’s health insurance. Insurance companies have the right to differentiate premiums on the level of risk each applicant has (Morris, 2010). Having access to genetic testing allows them to be much more fair, as most of the time, insurance companies have to look at family history. This can be skewed, because your family members having a genetic disorder doesn’t automatically make you have it, even if most of your family members get it. This can cause someone who doesn’t have a genetic disorder having to pay more because their family has a history of a certain genetic disorder.

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Some argue that it is against Christianity. Nonetheless, holy books does not have an explicitly written text about genetic screening. The arguments are only constructed from implications of the holy texts. As the holy texts might hold many different meanings, who can know for sure, if genetic screening is just or unjust way? As this topic is very complicated dilemma and needs a further debates to come to a common consensus, one should consider two outcomes: when it is morally accepted and when it is condemned as unethical thing to do.

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