What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Your DNA

1311 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ethical issues related to genetic testing

New technologies in genetic testing, has brought many new opportunities in the medical world. For some people, genetic testing is a window into the future of their children or themselves. But incidental findings in genetic testing can cause controversy between the doctors and the patients. The question that has come up several times about genetic testing is, should doctors be able to withhold information, from incidental findings, from their patients? The possibilities from the genetic mutations can scare people to make rash decisions. Some people might even to chose not to have children. It should be the patients right to know their results. But if a doctor finds a mutation in a patient's genes, and the mutation is incurable, what should the doctor do? Some people say that doctors should tell the patients everything they find no matter what could happen. Others say that the patients should not know everything about incidental findings. The real question is should doctors be able to withhold information from accidental findings in genetic testing, or should they tell the patients anyway?

Few questions come up when the topic of genetic testing is brought up. The question that probably comes up the most is; what exactly is genetic testing or screening? Genetic testing or screening is when doctors do a dna test and look for mutations in the genes. Then they try and figure out what the mutations could do in the future. Why would people want to get their genes tested? Genetic testing opens the possibilities of people knowing the future of themselves and their children. It also gives people opportunities to find out if they have a chance of passing a disease or disability on to future generations. Another common question is who can get...

... middle of paper ...

...blications.org/>.

Grierson, Bruce. "TO KNOW OR NOT TO KNOW." Psychology Today. 5-6 2011: 70-77.

EBSCO MegaFILE. Print.

Rochman, Bonnie. "The DNA Dilemma: A Test That Could Change Your Life." Time. 12 24

2012: 42-47. EBSCO MegaFILE. Print.

Rochman, Bonnie. "What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Your DNA." Time. 25 10 2012: n.

page. Print. .

Swartz, Martha. "What Doctors Can Legally Tell Their Patients." Physicians News Digest. 21 011

2013: n. page. Web. 17 Dec. 2013. .

“What is the cost of genetic testing, and how long does it take to get the results?” Genetic Home

Reference. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Web. 7 Jan. 2014.

.

What The Doctor Orders." Genewatch 25.4 (2012): 9-10. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO

MegaFILE. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • How Would Change Gene Bibbin's Life

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today's society no crime is a perfect crime, with the use of DNA testing and modern advancements in health and forensics even the smallest piece of someone's genome can be cultured and used to identify even the most devious of criminals. The use of DNA testing was able to help change the life of Gene Bibbins for the better and further proved how DNA testing is able to be used to help clarify who the culprit actually is. Gene Bibbins life was forever changed the night that he was unjustifiably arrested for aggravated rape which resulted in his being sentenced to life in prison, only for his case to eventually be reevaluated sixteen years after his conviction, leading to his exoneration.

    Read More

  • Ethical Issues Surrounding Genetic Screening and Genetic Engineering

    1918 Words  | 4 Pages

    White, Mary. “Making Responsible Decisions: An Interpretive Ethic for Genetic Decisionmaking.” The Hastings Center Report 29.1 Jan./Feb. (1999): 14-21.

    Read More

  • Human Genetic Screening and Discrimination in Gattaca

    1808 Words  | 4 Pages

    A short trip to the library computer lab to check on sources for this paper led me to believe that fiction could in part become real, especially when dealing with health insurance coverage and heritable diseases. I will begin by clearing up some misconceptions and explaining some of the current shortcomings of DNA testing. It is not possible to completely genotype a person "instantly" as in the movie. We are only able to discern the markers of some diseases that are genetically linked. This takes time, is labor intensive, and is easy to contaminate.

    Read More

  • Essay On Duane Syndrome

    622 Words  | 2 Pages

    Advantages of genetic testing may be helpful in determining whether or not you have a disease or are proba...

    Read More

  • Cracking Your Genetic Code: A Review of Genetic Testing

    1554 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Gattaca, the plot focuses on the ethics, the risks, and the emotional impact of genetic testing in the nearby future. The film was released in the 90s; yet in the present, the film does not give the impression of science fiction. Today, genetic testing is prevalent in many aspects of the scientific community. This paper will describe genetic testing, its purpose, diagnostic techniques that use genetic testing, relating Huntington’s disease to genetic testing, and the pros and cons of genetic testing.

    Read More

  • Genetic Screening for Colorectal Cancer

    3012 Words  | 7 Pages

    Due to the human genome project and other genetic research, tests for mutation which cause diseases have been developed. The list of these illnesses include several types of cancer. Doctors have estimated that as many as 3,000 diseases are due to mutations in the genome. These diseases include several types of colon cancer in which three different genetic tests have been already developed. Debates have arisen on whether these tests should be used regularly or not. Questions including the patients= rights of privacy and the possibility of loss of health or life insurance have been argued over in both the media and political arena.

    Read More

  • Identifying DNA Abnormalities Through Genetic Testing

    1281 Words  | 3 Pages

    Genetic testing involves examining an individual’s DNA and identifying abnormalities within the chemical makeup of specific structures. It, essentially, maps the person’s genome and can be interpreted to predict future issues. By analyzing the chromosome, genes, and even certain proteins, physicians and researchers can find changes that lead to inheritable disorders. These changes can lead to possible diagnosis or cure for the disorder in question. In most cases, genetic testing is used to determine the probability that an individual will develop a certain disorder. It is not used to specifically diagnose a disorder, as there are no techniques that are 100% accurate. Genetic testing techniques do give good evidence to confirm a physician’s findings, but it is not the first act a physician takes to diagnose a disorder. It can narrow a search or rule out a specific disorder very confidently, but making a diagnosis based solely on genetic testing is not an action that a qualified medical professional would consider.

    Read More

  • Is Genetic Testing Right Or Wrong Essay

    655 Words  | 2 Pages

    Genetic testing has been a very controversial topic. While some people believe that genetic testing is completely right in any situation, others believe that it is completely wrong in any situation. However, both sides prove valid points of why genetic testing is both right and wrong. Genetic testing can be very good when it is being used for helpful reasons. However, genetic testing can also be very bad when it is used for the wrong reasons. Genetic testing is okay to do as long as it is being done for the right reasons and following good moral guidelines.

    Read More

  • Arguments For and Against Testing Children's Genetics

    611 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rochman, Bonnie. "Genetic Testing for Kids: Is It a Good Idea?" Time. Time, 18 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 Feb. 2014. .

    Read More

  • The Ethical Issues of Genetic Testing

    1419 Words  | 3 Pages

    First, let's consider the situations in which genetic testing would be beneficial to patients. Genetic testing for diseases that are preventable or treatable could allow individuals to alter their lifestyles so as to treat the disease or reduce their risk of developing the disease. For instance, the E2 version of the APOE gene, which is found on chromosome 19, has been linked to heart disease (Ridley, 1999). Individuals who have two copies of the E2 gene are particularly sensitive to high-fat and high-cholesterol diets. Therefore, a genetic test to determine whether a person has the high-risk version of the APOE gene could inform a person of future health risks, thereby allowing the person to change his diet to help prev...

    Read More

  • Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing

    1221 Words  | 3 Pages

    Murphy, Samantha. "Genetic Tests Debate: Is Too Much Info Bad for Your Health?"LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 19 Dec. 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

    Read More

  • 23andme Essay

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    23andMe, a web-based service that helps customer read and understand their DNA, is an extremely determined firm in the genomic industry with its mission, “To help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome.” (Our mission). The culture of 23andMe was built on its six fundamental values and beliefs. First, “Think big” in terms of utilizing genetic data to modernize health, wellness, and scientific study. Second, “We love DNA” as study of DNA uncovers the secret behind the remarkable human diversity globally.

    Read More

  • Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening

    871 Words  | 2 Pages

    Genetic testing is the process of sequencing six billion letters of a human genome to possibly discover genetic differences, such as how cells carry the same genome but at the same time look and function different. Genetic testing is also the process that can give foresight into pathological diseases such as different types of cancer.

    Read More

  • Genetic Testing or Genetic Screening

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    Genetic testing, also known as screening, is a rapidly advancing new scientific field that can potentially revolutionize not only the world of medicine, but many aspects of our lives. Genetic screening is the sequencing of human DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may prove pathological. As genetic screening becomes more advanced and easily accessible, it presents society with difficult questions that must be asked about the boundaries of science and to what degree we are allowed to tamper with the human genome. To better understand the potential impact of genetic screening on our society, we must examine the potential benefits in comparison to the possible negative impact it may cause. With this knowledge in hand, we can examine what the future holds for this field of study and the best possible direction to take.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Genetic Testing

    1724 Words  | 4 Pages

    Genetic testing has become very popular as technology has improved, and has opened many doors in the scientific community. Genetic testing first started in 1866 by a scientist known as, Gregor Mendel, when he published his work on pea plants. The rest was history after his eyes opening experiments on pea plants. However, like any other scientific discovery, it bought conflicts which caused major controversies and a large population disagreed with the concept of playing with the genetic codes of human beings. Playing God was the main argument that people argument that people had against genetics. genetic testing became one of the major conflicts conflicts to talk about, due to the fact that parents could now have the option of deciding if they

    Read More

More about What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Your DNA

Open Document