Genetic Screening Conversation

Dialogue

Doctor: Good afternoon, Sir.

Chief: Good afternoon! What brings you here?

Doctor: I wanted to discuss something I have had a concern about for quite some time. It concerns about genetic screening, or testing.

Chief: What about it?

Doctor: Sometimes mutations are unharmful. For example, polymorphisms, which can alter physical appearance and affect traits such as hair color, eye color, etc. However, there are also mutations that can lead to diseases. And when people get these diseases like Huntington's, Alzheimer's, breast cancer, and malignant melanoma, it can become heritable. It would be great if we could know if individuals were predisposed to the disease. Normally, these would be passed down and families who would be aware of

If you agree with me, I would like to take it a step further and go to higher officials to spread my proposal: Should genetic testing be required for those who have a family history of genetic disease?

Chief: Why would we require that?

Doctor: It provides many benefits. One benefit of being tested or screened includes employers having knowledge of their employee's health for accommodations. Similar to this, couples could use their knowledge for parental planning. And if they find that their child does have a disorder or is susceptible to one, they are able to make informed decisions for the sake of their child’s health and future. Lastly, if the disorder or disease present is treatable, individuals are able to plan in advance for treatment.

Chief: Why should we require those who come from a family history of genetic disease to be genetically

Chief: Earlier you mentioned that it would be beneficial in the workplace. However it can also be disadvantageous. People worry that corporations will use this knowledge to discriminate against their workers. They may worry that they will consider these results of genetic tests when they are applying.

Doctor: Yes, I understand sir. But I feel like we already do something similar to this with drug tests.

Chief: The usage of recreational drugs are controllable by the user. Genetics are not something they can control. In fact, during in the 1970s, there was a corporation called the Du Pont Corporation that screened only African Americans because they wanted to test them for the sickle cell trait since it was quite common in Africa. Do you see how another problem can arise?

Doctor: Racial discrimination? Or at least it would seem like it since races share common genes that control the similar traits.

Chief: Exactly. And, if the corporation does decide to hire the person who may become seriously ill or disabled—regardless of their race— it may just be cheaper to not hire them altogether rather than having to pay for workers compensation and covering their health