Should We Continue with Genetic Testing?

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Recommended: The ethics of genetic testing

The world was shocked when Angelina Jolie, an icon not only for her acting career but for her incredible beauty, chose to have a double mastectomy after receiving results from a genetic screening. Just like her aunt who died of the disease, Jolie carried a gene that put her at high risk for developing breast cancer. The test empowered her to make a decision that eliminated the threat of cancer, allowing her to continue being a mother, wife, and public figure.
Even with triumphant stories of Angelina Jolie and others who choose genetic testing, negative controversy surrounds this practice. The FDA has sent cautionary letters to several genetic test companies requesting additional information or halting their sale of genetic test kits. Arguments abound against genetic testing, but having this knowledge improves our ability to treat and prevent diseases. The benefits of allowing people to access important information from their DNA outweighs any negative assumptions.
Imagine swabbing your cheek to get a DNA sample, mailing it to a genetic testing service, and receiving news that you ar...

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