Persuasive Essay On Genetic Testing

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The Human Genome Project was completed within the last twenty years. DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick in 1953, which is only sixty-five years ago. Our culture is discovering new areas of genetics each day; genetic information is growing exponentially. Scientists learned from the Human Genome Project that there are “more than 1,800 disease genes” (NIH Research Timelines). Upon discovering this, many genetic tests have been made available to the general public. These tests can reveal details about family history and possible inherited diseases as well as predicting what diseases your offspring could receive. There has been controversy surrounding the role of medical professionals in the world of genetic testing. I think medical professionals should be required for genetic testing when they involve a person’s health and well-being. I believe it is essential for medical professionals to be involved when the testing being done could affect the person’s knowledge of their health. I have had genetic testing done to determine whether I had certain genes to help diagnose Celiac disease. However, I learned that genetic testing can only tell you so …show more content…

I do not believe that medical professionals should be required for this kind of testing because it does not involve the person’s well-being. Although it may be helpful to have advice regarding your family history, I do not believe that it is necessary to have a medical professional involved. If the genetic testing reveals an inherited disease passed down from other generations, I think medical professionals should deliver this news. There are many companies, such as 23andMe, that have customers independently send in their saliva and receive information about their ancestry. Customers should not have to go through a medical professional to receive this kind of information because it does not affect their personal health or