Genetic Screening
By: Hamzah Alsaiegh and Caleb Tomas
What is Genetic Screening?
Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. Genetic testing is voluntary. Because testing has benefits as well as limitations and risks, the decision about whether to be tested is a personal and complex one. A geneticist or genetic counselor can help by providing information about the pros and cons of the test and discussing the social and emotional aspects of testing.
Benefits of Genetic Screening:
Genetic testing can also show disorders in someone’s family history. It can be important for people to do a genetic testing to know whether a disease can be prevented or treated. Test results might help a person make life decisions to help their health improve. By testing an embryo, the parent would be able to know what possible diseases and disorders their child can contract, so that the child can receive the required treatment.
Article:
Genetic testing has potential benefits whether the results are positive or negative for a gene mutation. Test results can provide a sense of relief from uncertainty and help people make informed decisions about managing their health care. For example, a negative result can eliminate the need for unnecessary checkups and screening tests in some cases. A positive result can direct a person toward available prevention, monitoring, and treatment options. Some test results can also help people make decisions about having children. Newborn screening can identify genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as early.
Genetic Testing (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://differentgenetictesting.yolasite.com/
Risks of Genetic Screening:
Though genetic testing can help, it has its own emotional and physical risks. Parental testing procedures carry a small risk of miscarriage ; due to the fact that they require a sample of amniotic fluid or tissue from around the fetus. Genetic testing results may affect family members emotionally. Since he feels guilty for transmitting the mutation to his child which can result in family tension . Another risk is that the test may not be accurate. People have many different genetic codes, where some may have not been deciphered correctly.
Article:
The physical risks associated with most genetic tests are very small, particularly for those tests that require only a blood sample or buccal smear (a procedure that samples cells from the inside surface of the cheek). The procedures used for prenatal testing carry a small but real risk of losing the pregnancy (miscarriage) because they require a sample of amniotic fluid or tissue from around the fetus.
Many of the risks associated with genetic testing involve the emotional, social, or financial consequences of the test results. People may feel angry, depressed, anxious, or guilty about their results. In some cases, genetic testing creates tension within a family because the results can reveal information about other family members in addition to the person who is tested. The possibility of genetic discrimination in employment or insurance is also a concern.
Genetic Testing and Pregnancy: Is it necessary? : Orlando Family Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.orlandofamilygazine.com/family-resources/health-and-wellness-archive/genetic-testing-and-pregnancy-is-it-necessary/
Interview Questions:
- If you had the chance to, would you want a genetic testing?
- How does genetic testing benefit your child?
- Do you think that genetic testing are worth the risk?
- In your opinion, is genetic testing ethical or unethical?
- Do you think that genetic testings should be more openly funded?
Reflection:
Genetic screening should be heavily funded, since it is a good way to try to prevent disease or disorders before they happen. Their funds should go towards trying to make risks, like miscarriage, become something that shouldn’t be worried about at all. Genetic screening does indeed impact the stage of life that I am currently in. If I were to get genetically tested while still in this stage, it would help me to plan out the way I am going to live in order to prevent potential disorders or diseases. Humans should consider re-designing life in a way where genetic screening could strongly help. It could help bring efficient changes in the lifestyles that humans have.
Resources:
Genetic Testing - Description of Context. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2015, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/genetictesting
Resource: Genetic Testing. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://differentgenetictesting.yolasite.com/
Resource: Genetic Testing and Pregnancy: Is it necessary? : Orlando Family Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.orlandofamilymagazine.com/family-resources/health-and-wellness-archive/genetic-testing-and-pregnancy-is-it-necessary/
What are the risks and limitations of genetic testing? Article. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/riskslimitations
What are the benefits of genetic testing? Article. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/benefits
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