When I was told that I was going to get my DNA test results back, I felt two distinct emotions during that moment of waiting. Nervousness and excitement followed. True fully, I’ve always thought I knew what I’m susceptible to getting in the future or right now in the present. Due to the fact, I’ve had a talk with both my parents about what family diseases are getting passed along in both my family trees. It’s pretty common diseases: diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson, asthma, hearing loss, and COPD, etc. The few minutes of waiting to get my test results back, made my anxiety levels increase as well as my emotions increasing. When I was given my test results, I immediately ripped open the envelope and read the company’s informational letter. It described to me what PersonaGen Cooperation stands for, Privacy Policy, and how they were capable of finding out certain information about me through viewing my genetic data. I then seemed at my test result paper seeing that I have three different chromosomes that show I’m homozygous or heterozygous for those traits. These results will either show what I need to commute on my health of living style, and what precautions I might need to take in the near future. All I know is that it’s make or break time. My results indicated that I’m heterozygous to carrying Jacobsen syndrome trait. I’m homozygous to having or passing along with brownish eyes and carrying hypertension (or susceptible to getting it). Jacobsen syndrome is when a
It is patients’ right to opt for genetic testing on their own DNA, although they are accepting a great risk by doing so.
Here is a real life story of a woman who has been greatly affected by genetic testing and has seen both the good and the bad of genetic testing. This is a story that was posted in an article called “6 Moms Share Their Real Prenatal Testing Stories” on the website “What to Expect” from Courtney from Lake Stevens, Washington about how genetic testing has affected her life. So for Courtney, a few weeks after her 13 week ultrasound and her quad screen her doctors told her she had a positive screen for Down syndrome. So at 17 weeks she had to go back in for another ultrasound and genetic counseling which according to kids health.org is counseling that allows a genetic counselor to evaluate the results of a genetic test with the parents and helps the parents understand and reach decisions on what to do next. Her ultrasound looked great but still had a positive screen for Down syndrome. So she was was recommended for either an amnio or verifi test. Courtney then went to genetic counseling and choose to have the verifi test done over the amnio. A week later her results came back negative for Down syndrome and confirmed the baby was a girl. Courtney said “I am glad we opted to get the verifi test done especially after the stress of getting a positive screening before. I like how that if the NIPT did turn out positive for Down syndrome, I could have prepared ahead of time for the care of a special needs child would require, rather than feeling completely caught off-guard at birth.”
There are two main ways genetic testing places a constraint on a child’s right to an open future. The first of these is that the revelation of a child’s disease status can change his life narrative and the way parents and others treat him, and substantially alter his or her life’s trajectory (Davis _____). Parents may feel guilty or shelter their not-yet-sick
Genetics has become a very important topic of discussion in the healthcare field. There are more and more diseases being linked to certain genes in the DNA. Carrier: Untangling the danger in my DNA, by Bonnie J. Rough, is one example of the modern problems people have to deal with in regards to genetics and genetic testing. The author writes about the problems she faced. She had some very difficult decisions about her possible offspring as well as herself. Rough writes about her struggle with deciding if she should get a genetic test for a gene that causes a disease that has been passed on through her families for generations. The reader also learns about her and her husband’s experience of getting pregnant and the steps they took to try
Genetic testing has become a highly controversial issue among both the general population and the scientific community. It is a process that exposes a person’s entire genome sequence, allowing it to be read and evaluated to identify potential risks for genetic diseases or diseases that could be passed onto offspring (Holt Productions, 2012). With thousands of genetic tests already being used, and more being established, it seems logical to put this growing technology to use. Some agree that it is a person’s right to know and understand his or her genetic makeup. However, others argue that, despite the benefits of genetic testing, caution should be used to carefully inspect the risks associated with this new technology.
Due to the lack of adequate interpretation, I do not foresee buying my genome sequencing in the near future. A few of my close relatives have certain medical conditions that concern me, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Even so, I prefer to live a life without the fear of what my DNA profile might uncover. If the test determined that I have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, my stress level may increase every time I lose my keys. For example, I have a friend that was terrified of having a child that may have schizophrenia because the child’s grandmother suffered from the condition. During her daughter’s infant years, my friend suffered from stress as she watched for any sign of mental illness in her daughter. My friend suffered from constant worry and guilt that her child would become ill. Her daughter is almost thirty now and she shows no sign of the disease. Even though the test may reveal an increased risk for certain conditions, it is not advanced enough to predict with certainty what my health picture will be in thirty years. I believe in knowing what family risk factors affect me and
<br>4. The rights of knowing someone's own health status and keeping that information private to oneself should be provided to all members of a society. Only the individual should have full access to information about his own genetic constitution and others should be prevented by legal regulations. As we have said above, the results of genetic tests can sometimes be detrimental to the individual. If a person does not want to know the information, its nobody's business nor right to declare it. This includes even not explaining favorable test results without the individual's request.
If the genetic information is only accessible to the individual then there is a decreased chance of such discrimination occurring because the information is disclosed to who the individual wishes to. Genetic information can raise questions about personal responsibility, personal choice versus genetic determinism, and concepts of health and disease. Personal factors, family values, and community and cultural beliefs can mould the reactions to these issues. For example the response to the genetic information and suggestion from physicians after the test will be drastically different in a society where traditions and religion determine life choices, such as India, than to a more individually liberal society like the USA. Even in a progressive society that has had specific ethnic groups for multiple generations disparities with medical technology are common. A study conducted, using the national representative data, in the USA with the sample that consisted of 1724 men and women of non-Hispanic whites, Latinos, and African American background. Results exposed significant differences by racial/ethnic groups in knowledge and concerns about the potential misuse of genetic testing. Significantly higher levels of mistrust in a physician and the medical system was a common thread within minorities. The genetic tests can be a way of ridding anxiety attached to the assumed inheritance of genetic disease due to family background whilst for others the genetic test reveals their reality. The results can have a great deal of a psychological impact upon the individual. The possibility of developing a genetic disease alone can create anxiety within some. The psychological impact from the results revealed is another issue that society is concerned about. A
The Human Genome Project introduces significant scientific findings to the world, but raises a lot of controversies. Many of these controversies concern the application of this new scientific finding and its ethicality. Genetic information from a project, once aimed towards mapping the human genome in hope for curing diseases, are now being used in businesses. It shouldn’t be permissible for employers to require that all employees, as well as potential employees, be screened for genetic vulnerabilities and to use the results of such screening when they make hiring, retention, and job assignment decisions. These genetic vulnerabilities may include diseases, unsuitable personality traits and other traits the company deems undesirable. Employees shouldn’t be judged by their genes, because the results do not adequately speak for what the employees will do in life, the employee’s position in the society, and the employee’s financial standing. Genetic testing should be an option for the employees to decide on job assignment rather than influence the hiring decisions of employers. Genetic testing only shows genetic potential, not potential growth. Conducting genetic testings on employees infringes on their privacy and encourage more social gaps with genetic classes.
“Fear is not real. It is the product of thoughts you create. Danger is very real, but fear is a choice.” Personally, I would not take a genetics test to find out if I was at high risk; and, to many this might sound odd coming from someone who is planning to pursue a career in the sciences. I am uncertain if my DNA holds the BRCA gene but like Cynthia Graber I am certain of one thing, myself.
Prenatal genetic testing has become one of the largest and most influencial advances in clinical genetics today. "Of the over 4000 genetic traits which have been distinguished to date, more than 300 are identifiable via prenatal genetic testing" (Morris, 1993). Every year, thousands of couples are subjecting their lives to the results of prenatal tests. For some, the information may be a sigh of relief, for others a tear of terror. The psychological effects following a prenatal test can be devastating, leaving the woman with a decision which will affect the rest of her life.
I dislike when the DNA data from performing a lab can’t be truly explained performing because it means I had to have done something wrong somewhere along the line. That then results with me running the test an additional time. I suppose it isn’t so bad though since I do eventually get results that can be analyzed.
Personal DNA testing is not completely accurate and can cause unnecessary stress. This tool is relatively new and needs further developments to be completely reliable. I realize that people give their consent to get tested, but is it fair to offer such an unreliable test? I am sure people have taken their lives over the results from genetic testing because it scared them to death. Nothing should ever make people feel like they are not worth living for. This procedure was designed to allow individuals to prevent diseases that they were unaware of. Although, it may have done the opposite. To add, the cost is unreasonable for the average person. It is important for people to consider the consequences and benefits of such a practice before giving consent. I will recommend this video to my friends or family who consider personal DNA testing. I think Neil Tyson touched on some very great points that are worth
Genetic genealogy can set the stage for discrimination and inequality for those seeking minority status, for benefits and government handouts, or alternately, it can hold individuals back because of racism or bigotry; and lead to ‘genetically repackaged discrimination’. There is an uneven playing field, with some entities recognizing genetic testing results, yet others are rejecting it. While seeking personal identity is a worthwhile endeavor, another perspective brings a host of psychological, social, legal, political, and ethical worries. It is possible to uncover undesirable, or unexpected genetic ancestral ties that could lead to diverse identity issues, and other emotional, or financial consequences. Increasingly, genetic testing, or DNA, is used as a genealogical resource; it has potential to be used as a tool by narrowing down possibilities, but it can, also, be scientifically inaccurate. There are limitations in the science, both with interpretation of tests results, and with the databases. Avoiding inaccuracies requires sampling strategies and creating human population margins from genetic data. In addition, interpretation of ancestry tracing needs to be made less complicated for the consumer. While uncertainties are inherent, geneticists are optimistic about the future of genealogy using DNA.
I understand that what I find out can change my life forever, so I would be sure to speak to a genetic counselor before and after. I think that knowing what diseases that I am genetically predisposed to can motivate me to lead a healthier life. With today’s new discoveries linking food intolerances to certain disease, I can study about diets or eliminating foods to hopefully prevent whatever diseases that I can possibly get. I think that everyone should have the choice of whether or not they want to know, but I would definitely choose to find out more about what makes me who I am. Although the use of DTC testing is very controversial, limiting the at home information and requiring everyone to go through a doctor can make learning about genetic makeup very safe and informative for