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The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testing

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As a way to access one’s genetic information, genetic testing has been an option for those who desired to utilize the information to predict, assess, and evaluate the likelihood of their susceptibility to a disease or even gain knowledge of their ancestry. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (also known as DTC), provided by companies like 23 and Me, has made the service more accessible. With its prevalence in the realm of genetic testing, the lack of federal protection regarding direct access to testing results in DTC testing has become a primary issue. Along with direct access, the lack of a law regarding the requirement of a medical professional or a genetic counselor in genetic testing has also added concerns to the viability of DTC genetic testing. As such, while it is paramount that patients and consumers are guaranteed direct access to their genetic information, medical professionals or genetic counselors should be …show more content…

Even so, the absence of a medical professional may result in a misguided understanding of the results as the tested disease may be caused by other factors as well (i.e. choice of lifestyle). Take breast cancer: the risk of breast cancer not only involves genetics but also involves lack of physical activity and consumption of oral contraceptives and alcohol (CDC, 2017). Though it may provide references that other factors may influence results, DTC testing results alone may not always reflect the lifestyle of an individual. Especially with tests like the BRCA gene test, which are specific towards the identification of mutations in the BRCA genes known cause breast cancer, results may not reflect other factors such as one’s lifestyle. The addition of a professional in interpreting the results of the testing adds the cofactor of lifestyle into the equation, helping with a more accurate evaluation of the

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The practice of prenatal genetic testing, although becoming commonplace, has been put at the center of the abortion debate in the United States. Doctors should only perform prenatal genetic testing in rare cases and very sparingly in order to protect the lives of the unborn whose genome sequence may deviate from what is considered genetically ¨normal¨. Although ¨testing and abortion are not synonymous¨ (Rebouché and Rothenberg 993) these two have begun to form a clear connection in a world where abortion is now acceptable. While prenatal genetic testing makes improvements every year, there still is a risk of harming the unborn, yet living child. Not only can testing bring harm to the child, it may also lead to the parent´s terminating a

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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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On the other hand, genetic testing can be a lifesaving aid for those with a severe ailment. For example, say that your family has a risk for colon cancer. If you get testing, you will know if you are at risk. If so, you will know your treatment paths that you could take. Doctors like Dr. Leonard state that they would like to have every person get genetic testing so that ailments like cancer could be caught before they even begin.

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According to the Mayo Clinic, “If you were having gene testing to determine if you might develop a certain disease, a positive test doesn't necessarily mean you will get that disorder” (“Genetic Testing Results”). While a positive result leans towards an increased likelihood, many other factors will be added into the chances. Sometimes the tests even project the wrong allele. “In a study in which researchers gave nine labs a genetic variant and asked them to analyze it, the labs gave different answers 22% of the time” (Schumaker). The tests work well enough to get a basis for a talk with a doctor, but alone the tests only tell what could

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The thought of mapping out the human genome can be both exhilarating yet unsettling. There are many benefits and disadvantages that can arise from any genetic testing. Altshuler, Daly and Lander (2008) consider human genome mapping provides a powerful approach to identify genes and biological processes underlying any trait influenced by inheritance, including human diseases. For individuals, the main advantage from genetic mapping would have to be the prevention of diseases. Knowing which genes can pre-dispose us to certain diseases will bring a public health awareness and health promotion to a lot of individuals causing a positive impact on not only the individual themselves but on society and medicine as a whole.

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