Genetic Testing A New Technology

There are several questions when it comes to genetic testing. One such question is twofold.

A debate is taking place on whether genetic testing is not only cost effective but whether it is beneficial to patients and doctors.

Genetic testing can identify if there are any changes in your genes, proteins, or chromosomes.

When a physician orders a genetic test it is usually to find out if you have an inherited disorder, or if you are someone who can pass a genetic disorder to other family members.

Genetic testing is a personal decision that you may not wish to embrace. If you are unsure, whether you would like to be genetically tested or not, a counselor can help you make an informed decision.

Cost Effective Testing

Health care providers tend to disagree on the cost effectiveness of genetic testing. If one of your ancestors had a fatal disease that you know about, and you would like to see if it is genetically possible for you to get this disease, then it may be cost effective for you to be tested.

On the other hand, if you have no known fatal diseases in your family’s ancestor age, then you may not want to incur the costs to see what is in your family tree.

You may want to think twice before you decide though, because genetic testing can be beneficial in finding other health concerns, and your susceptibility to them.

Parents on the Band Wagon

More and more parents are opting to store their children’s DNA in a Biobank to find new treatments for diseases they could incur down the line. These parents are not concerned with the fact that not all diseases have an available cure yet.

This may be something that you are interested in doing for your children. Having all the facts will help you to decide whether this would be beneficial for you and family or not.

You will want to weigh the cost and the benefits when you decide. Ask yourself” What is it that I am trying to achieve by doing this, and is it worth to me and my family?”

Unknowns of Testing

Testing for genetic diseases and abnormalities among adults and children has led to physicians being able to diagnose and treat their patients better. However, one of the pitfalls of this is that you may test positive for a disease and never get this disease.

People who carry the genetic mutation for a disease may never develop it. There is no way of knowing for sure. Another problem you can run into when being genetically tested is laboratory mistakes.

Lastly, you have to consider the effects that these types of genetic testing will have on you and your family emotionally. Knowing that you may get a disease in the future can cause a great deal of fear and anxiety to you or a family member.

Genetic testing is the wave of the future. You will be able to choose whether to have children or not to have children based on genetic testing. The debate on this testing will go on for a very long time.