The topic of genetic testing is laced with controversy in today’s society. An abundance of well-researched and well-articulated arguments exists on each side of the discussion. It is beneficial that one considers both sides before making assertions in favor or against the institution of genetic testing. Some of the benefits of genetic testing include assisting doctors in making healthcare decisions, providing patients with clarity for an illness that would otherwise go undiagnosed, and screening newborn babies for specific diseases or mutations. Despite its benefits, however, there is a plethora of complications that accompany genetic testing. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, potential discrimination, and unnecessary anxiety and even depression
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The results of genetic testing are not 100% indicative of whether or not a person will develop a particular disease further along in life. One’s results could be completely normal, yet, they may still contract the disease later in life. The opposite is also true. One could also show abnormal results from genetic testing yet never develop the disease. “She wants to think about kids. And the clock is ticking for her age-wise. But (genetic testing) is a really big factor for her. She’s so, so afraid that she’s going to be responsible for passing this mutation along,” said Susan Mcdevit, author of Will Genetic Testing Make You Anxious? (McDevit). McDevit, the executive director of Lynch Syndrome International, is describing a woman she recently met who was about to get married and had tested positive for the Lynch Syndrome genetic mutation. While the screening test was positive for the mutation, there was nothing to indicate she had the disease or would even develop the disease later. Still, she became anxious about what the future held for her just because of a screening result with no guarantee of becoming reality. (McDevit). This poor woman was unjustifiably anxious over the positive result of a genetic mutation that had no guarantee of being passed on to her future children. There are many doctors and scientists who are opposed to genetic testing. In 2015, Dr. Mauro Bertolotti wrote an article on …show more content…
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, potential discrimination against patients, and no guarantee of disease development are a few of the disadvantages of genetic testing that have helped develop my stance. This does not mean we are to ignore the benefits of genetic testing. However, after taking into account both the advantages and the disadvantages discussed and weighing them with each other, I have come to the conclusion that the disadvantages of genetic testing outweigh the
The results of genetic testing are not 100% indicative of whether or not a person will develop a particular disease further along in life. One’s results could be completely normal, yet, they may still contract the disease later in life. The opposite is also true. One could also show abnormal results from genetic testing yet never develop the disease. “She wants to think about kids. And the clock is ticking for her age-wise. But (genetic testing) is a really big factor for her. She’s so, so afraid that she’s going to be responsible for passing this mutation along,” said Susan Mcdevit, author of Will Genetic Testing Make You Anxious? (McDevit). McDevit, the executive director of Lynch Syndrome International, is describing a woman she recently met who was about to get married and had tested positive for the Lynch Syndrome genetic mutation. While the screening test was positive for the mutation, there was nothing to indicate she had the disease or would even develop the disease later. Still, she became anxious about what the future held for her just because of a screening result with no guarantee of becoming reality. (McDevit). This poor woman was unjustifiably anxious over the positive result of a genetic mutation that had no guarantee of being passed on to her future children. There are many doctors and scientists who are opposed to genetic testing. In 2015, Dr. Mauro Bertolotti wrote an article on …show more content…
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, potential discrimination against patients, and no guarantee of disease development are a few of the disadvantages of genetic testing that have helped develop my stance. This does not mean we are to ignore the benefits of genetic testing. However, after taking into account both the advantages and the disadvantages discussed and weighing them with each other, I have come to the conclusion that the disadvantages of genetic testing outweigh the