The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Counseling

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Genetic testing is frequently used to determine certain hereditary diseases that are predominate in individuals and/or families. The nurse’s guidance and support will have a positive influence on the families that are unfortunate enough to be a carrier for the life-threatening gene. When couples consider undergoing genetic testing, we as nurses should respect those decisions. In the following discussion, a couple with a genetic disorder seeking preconception genetic counseling will be assessed along with the potential issues addressed. At a preconception-counseling meeting, the couple can complete a genogram questionnaire that outlines three generation of family information including disease, age of onset and age of death. The genogram …show more content…

With this prior knowledge, the couple can conduct research on the topic as well as understand the many struggles the couple could face in the future. Couples can find out whether they are carriers of genetic factors that increase the probability of adverse pregnancy outcomes, most commonly for autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive disorders, for which there is, respectively, half or quarter percent chance of producing the disorder in one’s offspring (Bonte, Pennings, & Sterckx, 2014). The disadvantages could be the emotional stress associated with taking care of a child with special needs or conceiving an unhealthy child. As part of the disease, the child could encounter years of taunting from other children then later endure prejudice from others. Furthermore, the child could be itself a carrier for the disease passing it on to his or her future off springs. Genetic testing could bring into light many preconception uncertainties by offering some emotion assurance of knowing beforehand if genetic defects are present. It is imperative that nurses provide support for couples enduring such a tough ethical and moral …show more content…

It is a difficult decision for the couple to make, that is why the nurse needs to offer emotional support and provide adequate information to facilities them. The couple has the final verdict so the nurse should remain unbiased and not disclosing her own opinion on the subject matter.
References
Bonte, P., Pennings, G., & Sterckx, S. (2014). Is there a moral obligation to conceive children under the best possible conditions? A preliminary framework for identifying the preconception responsibilities of potential parents. BMC Medical Ethics, 15(1), 1-18. Retrieved from http://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com.proxy.library.ohiou.edu/articles/10.1186/1472-6939-15-5
Coehlo, D. P., Hanson, S. M. H., Kaakinen, J. R., Steele, R., & Tabacco, A. (2015). Family health care nursing: Theory, practice, and research (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis