Why Do Children Undergo Genetic Testing

The view over genetic testing starts with establishing necessary definitions and discussing its purpose in our world. To start off, the human body is a complex multicellular system. Every cell in the body is comprised of the same DNA (with some exceptions), which stores our genes. These genes are the set of instructions that encode the proteins necessary to create and maintain the human body. The issue is that some genes can undergo a variety of mutations during development that cause an array of complications or disease. Gene therapy can modify the designated abnormal genes to reach normalcy, while genetic engineering focuses on enhancement and surpassing what is normal. However, the goal of genetic testing is to identify the abnormalities

I think that everybody should do a genetic test at a very early age in order to know what is going on with their genes. Even if a genetic test is positive, a genetic counselor, doctor, or other health care professional trained in genetics can help an individual or family understand their test results. These professionals can also help explain the incidental findings that a test may yield, such as a genetic risk factor for a disease that is unrelated to the reason for administering the test, so they can clarify the implications of test results for other family members. Doing a genetic test is crucial because on an expanded panel, certain cancer can be entirely reversed with an early intervention like dietary

Another big benefit of testing is the ability to know in advance the health of a baby. It is no longer necessary for parents to be to have to worry about the health of their child. The technology is there to know in advance. Some people have major health problems in their family. This testing could make it possible for them to give birth to healthy long living children. The whole point of prenatal genetic testing is to improve life through good health. There are enough things

If they still choose to have prenatal testing done and received a positive result, they would need to make a choice. One of those choices could be to terminate the pregnancy. Another one is to be as prepared as possible and get ready to have a baby with medical issues. If there was going to be a problem, “parents can use the information they receive from the testing to prepare for the possibility that their child may have special needs” (healthguidance.org). Although these results can help the parents make informed decisions, there is the possibility of false positives. Parents will assume the worst case scenario and the baby could be born perfectly healthy. Another mindset of many parents, especially those who are religious, believe they are only given what they can handle and would rather not know of any issues in advance since they do not approve of abortions anyway.

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

The first issue that comes up with having more broadened tests is that the parents of the child might worry. If the child is born and a DNA test is taken of their and shows that the person has a 50% change of dying from cancer before age 30, the parents are going to worry about this. If the parents worry about the possibility of the child dying before age 30 the relationship between the child and parents might be affected negatively because of the worry that is in place. From the movie GATTACA, Vincent and his parents relationship was strained because he had a 99% chance of having a heart condition and dying before 30. So in the

I think in an advancing society it is necessary but, with limitations. A person has a right to know about their future children and is entitled to avoid anything they may consider to be too troubling to handle; however, patients should be made aware that the results may be negative or defamatory. But, access to this kind of information requires a serious amount of sensitivity and the person handling it should be aware of this and understand that the only ethics that have entitlement in this situation are the subjects’ . I think it’s all very delicate and subjective. There should be many considerations when having a child or dealing with one’s genetics but, the most important one is quality of life. As long as the ethics support that they are not only beneficial but,

Firstly, being able to detect genetic disorders, such as Down Syndrome, could result in the parents aborting the fetus. Margaret Somerville said in Choosing The Perfect Child,"In short, the new genetics is functioning as eugenics, but that fact is not identified. Decisions by individuals based on preimplantation genetic diagnosis of IVF embryos, or prenatal screening of foetuses mean we will eliminate certain groups of people, for example, Down's Syndrome children, from our society. In short, an outcome that would never be acceptable as public policy is being implemented through the accumulation of individual choices”(actionlife.org). To abort a child because of their genes are incorrect and need extra assistance with daily chores is selfish and inhuman. Not to mention, if a family had PGD on their child and received a false positive result, the unborn child could very well be killed needlessly. Then secondly, if all PGD got rid of all genetically transferred diseases, it could affect the world’s population. Since more lives would be saved, the world’s population would increase at an alarming rate. It would cause the the world’s resources dwindle down extensively and make the resources very

The testing is not a bad idea as such but it should not be done to children. This regards to personal autonomy where it would be better if the testing is delayed until an individual is old enough to make his or her own decision about the test. A person’s genetic information should be private and counselling should be done to elucidate the basis for and consequences of the test in question. Individuals should be allowed to choose when and which

There are many pros and cons to prenatal genetic testing but overall it comes down to the ethical issues that have begun to arise as the possibilities begin to expand. I believe that prenatal genetic testing should only be used to avoid genetic disorders that could cause a couple any further emotional or financial strain. If a couple must resort to using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to conceive a child, should they be entitled to a healthy child after all the stress and heartbreak they have been through? I support a couple’s choice to have prenatal genetic testing done if it is to prevent a genetic disorder, and that is where the line should be drawn. Any other mutation of genes, in my eyes, would be unnecessary and barbaric. “A great many

It comes with many different pros and cons. Actually the cons out way the pros when it comes to this topic. The first pro that comes to mind is that the capacity to acquire individual hereditary data rapidly and secretly without a "remedy". The data can incorporate illness inclination and transporter status. This means that genetics cane me cloned faster and easier then we all think. The second pro that I came up with is the ability to make lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, based on the testing results. The third pro is Access to intriguing data about parentage. Many organizations offer testing administrations that will focus the vicinity and rate of ethnic, geographic and even Neanderthal DNA. The last and final pro that I came up with is that the relative moderateness of DTC testing contrasted with different types of hereditary testing. Numerous organizations offer administrations for a couple of hundred

Some parents say that the tests are important to family-planning, while some of the others say that they don’t like the tests because they are sometimes used for research. Those thoughts are their beliefs on the matter and more people also think that the tests will lead to unnecessary testing and treatments for babies who wouldn’t have gotten sick at all. I believe all of those

Frasers article discusses that, “those who test for genetic disabilities sends a message that devalues people who already have disabilities, and views prenatal diagnosis simply as a way to avoid the distress of having a child with a serious disorder” (Fraser). He makes a great point that it already affects those whom have the disability and degrades them as an experiment that could have been prevented (Fraser). Those with disabilities are humans too, who require a little more attention and guidance. It’s

This would mean that this testing would be more affordable for the commoner. Once testing has been completed and data interpreted, someone will know if they are a carrier for a genetic disorder. If it turns out that they are, instead of waiting for symptoms to arise, genetic treatment of the disease can be done to save the person’s life before it is even in jeopardy. This could prove to be very helpful. People spend thousands of dollars on treatments for a genetic disorder, and the treatments do not even fully rid the patient of the disease. The patient will have to take the medication for the rest of their life to calm the symptoms of that disease. With the advancement of gene therapy, a patient could receive a minimal number of treatments which will not just calm the symptoms but rid the patient of their genetic disorder completely. This, in the long run, could save the patient time, money, suffering, and ultimately it will save their life. This is only the beginning. As time passes, doctors will have the knowledge to save many more lives in the same manner.

Some might say in response to the above announcement, “This is positive medical news—both for Iceland and the world. Nothing here should concern the American public. Genetic testing for abnormalities saves children from a life of significant disability and spares their parents painful stress. The subsequent abortions avoid a wretched existence for the children and improves the quality of life for their surviving families. That is not genocide; it is compassion and mercy. Moreover, it relieves both the parents and society from having to shoulder severe medical expenses for care. That reduces insurance rates and liberates medical resources for those who really need them. So