Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testing

In chapter 12 the issues of genetic testing and their various controversies where discussed. In the book one of the diseases mentioned in genetic testing was Huntington’s Disease. This disease is spread from an affected person to their offspring with a 50% chance of the offspring developing the disease. Huntington’s is characterized by involuntary movements, mental deterioration, and a plethora of psychological issues that eventually lead to death. Since the disease does not appear in an affected person until their 30s to their 50s people that are infected might not even know they have it until it develops fully. Genetic testing can easily diagnose this incurable disease, but not everyone wants to know the results. As mentioned in a hypothetical

Withholding the testing on the account that it could definitively reveal her partner’s condition hurts her own personal liberty as she should be able to determine the next steps of her future after learning the results. On the other hand, by not doing the genetic testing the at-risk partner will be less likely to make irrational decisions and live their life without fear of dying early which is also their own personal liberty. If I was in this situation and found out that my partner might have the disease and therefore my future child might be as well, then I would get the genetic test. I think that it would be my right since I would by carrying the baby to know if my child would live a decreased lifespan even if that means my partner finding out that they have a debilitating disease. I think this could also be a character issue if I went against my partner’s wishes as it could cause the relationship to fall apart as they would view you

When a patient is put on life support many states have set standards of how long they can stay on which creates variations across the country. If the patient can no longer take care of themselves and therefore cannot decide when they are taken off life support it can be given to a friend or family member that has power of attorney and is supposed to make the best choice they see for their loved one. When it comes to patients that are fully conscience and are battling a terminal illness and they want to get off life support or medical take their own lives it brings up the controversy of death with dignity. In a CNN article, a young newlywed named Brittany Maynard was given six months to live after discovery a brain tumor. She lived a life surround by doctors and treatments, but nothing was working. Brittany’s considered her quality of life to be diminished as her treatments were causing personality changes and the risk of cognitive and motor loss. People like Brittany that are still mentally competent believe that they have the right to end their life on their own terms. She believes that it is her personal right to be able to live and die how she chooses due to her circumstances. On the other hand, some people believe that medical professionals should continue to fight to save a patient until they pass. However, noble that pursuit maybe it can be a burden economically as they