Why Is Genetic Testing Necessary

“The medical community is largely cheering advances in non­invasive fetal DNA tests, fetal genome mapping and chromosomal microarrays that scour fetal DNA. But some opponents of abortion see this new technology as a threat, and they 're responding by restricting when women can terminate a pregnancy. Advocates for the disabled are also concerned, fearing that women may end pregnancies based on misinformation or myths” (Szabo). By looking at the articles, it is evident that hundreds of newborns are currently being killed with an abundance more to come, stemming from the new technological advances of genetic testing. Not only that, but research suggests that women are having abortions solely based on the fact that their child may be born with …show more content…
One example may be down syndrome, which is a major cause for the use of genetic testing. While there are no cures, treatment may help it. This is a reason why either extreme is wrong: genetic testing should be allowed, but not to aid in the abortion of children. When given information on diseases such as down syndrome, parents should opt to get treatment necessary. This is extremely important because it is shown to help more than treatment provided after birth (Knapton). The issue though, with this is the expansion of genetic testing from diseases that can be treated to diseases where there is nothing to be done (Timmermans). In the past. many diseases could be treatable - which provides a reason for the testing. “Screening for phenylketonuria, for example, has meant that newborns affected by the condition can be placed on a special diet in the first days of life, thereby preventing mental retardation” (Timmermans). But, major testing companies are now pushing to expand the tests to untreatable diseases - which has no positive effects unless women plan to abort. This is the concern that many people are dealing