Question

Discussion Question #1: Genetic Testing

The recent explosion of knowledge about genetics raises many interesting practical and ethical questions about genetic testing. Initiate a discussion about the pros and cons of such testing:

Do students believe that people should be tested to determine their susceptibility to certain diseases? When should this testing be done? At birth? Prenatally?

1. Should parents be allowed to test their unborn children for the presence or absence of certain traits?
2. Should they be allowed to make decisions about continuing the pregnancy on the basis of the results?
3. If one member of a family discovers through genetic testing that she or he is susceptible to certain genetic disorders, is that person obligated to let other family members (who might share that susceptibility) know? Who should have access to this information? Health insurance companies? Potential employers?

Answer 1

Genetic testing basically uses different tool and techniques to detect the genetic disorders.

Pros of genetic testing: It helps us to know the particular site of gene that is responsible for particular diseases. It helps to detect the mutation which might cause disease in future. Basically this test is more useful to detect the genetic diseases.

Cons of genetic testing: After performing genetic test if someone found to have any kind of genetic disorders then such person undergoes into depression. Sometimes it also affect other persons in the family and hamper the emotions. Genetic testing is also much costly.

Yes, students believe that they should be tested to determine their susceptibility to certain diseases so that if they found to have some genetic disorder then they can take proper medical treatment against that diseases.

This test should be done at prenatally stage because at that stage if found to have any kind of genetic disease then it can be cured by gene therapy.

No, parents should not be allowed to test their unborn children to check presence or absence of any kind of trait because in most of the country if parents doesn't found the traits suitable according to them then they abort the child.

If they found result is not much harmful for the children and mother then they should continue the pregnancy and vice- versa.

No, if someone found to have genetic diseases in a family then it becomes the responsibility of all family members to provide proper care to that person.