Why You Should Consider Genetic Testing
In recent years, scientists have developed ways of testing a person's genes for the likelihood of developing certain diseases.
For cases such as Huntington's disease, a degenerative brain disorder, a positive gene test guarantees the eventual development of the disease.
However, with diseases such as cancer, a positive gene test simply indicates a greater risk for developing the disease.
In addition to the diseases mentioned, risk factors for birth defects, cystic fibrosis, certain forms of muscular dystrophy, and a host of other diseases can be detected through genetic testing.
Today in North America, newborns are routinely tested for inherited metabolic diseases that lead to mental retardation and other problems if appropriate treatment is not given.
Infants found to have some of these disorders are put on a special diet, which reduces development of the disease.
In contrast, infants with genetic predispositions to many other diseases do not always develop disease.
Because genetic background does influence disease risk, certain dietary guidelines are more beneficial for some people than for others.
For example, people prone to osteoporosis, as mentioned earlier, need to be more aware of calcium intake.
Overall, the benefits of genetic testing include the potential for more individualized nutrition and health advice, more informed decisions by couples attempting to have children (i.
e.
, alternatives such as adoption), increased surveillance for the disease, and the ability to plan appropriately for the future.
However, it is not possible, given the resources presently allocated to medical care in North America, to identify all people at genetic risk for the major chronic diseases and other health problems.
In addition, in many cases genetic susceptibility does not equate to a guarantee of development of the disease.
And, in almost all cases, there is no way to cure a specific gene alteration only the health problems that result can be treated.
Thus, the wisdom of genetic testing is an open question.
Perhaps preventive measures and careful scrutiny for the specific genetically linked diseases in one's family would suffice.
Whatever you're decision after receiving your results from genetic testing, it can be widely assumed that being armed with the information puts you at a distinct advantage.
While there may not be a cure for a particular disease, there often are things you can do to greatly reduce the risk of contracting a disease.
Also, some medication and treatments work better if they are administered at the very onslaught of the development of a disease, so if you are aware that you have a greater risk to contract a particular disease, you can be aware of what signs to look for and when to get testing.
For cases such as Huntington's disease, a degenerative brain disorder, a positive gene test guarantees the eventual development of the disease.
However, with diseases such as cancer, a positive gene test simply indicates a greater risk for developing the disease.
In addition to the diseases mentioned, risk factors for birth defects, cystic fibrosis, certain forms of muscular dystrophy, and a host of other diseases can be detected through genetic testing.
Today in North America, newborns are routinely tested for inherited metabolic diseases that lead to mental retardation and other problems if appropriate treatment is not given.
Infants found to have some of these disorders are put on a special diet, which reduces development of the disease.
In contrast, infants with genetic predispositions to many other diseases do not always develop disease.
Because genetic background does influence disease risk, certain dietary guidelines are more beneficial for some people than for others.
For example, people prone to osteoporosis, as mentioned earlier, need to be more aware of calcium intake.
Overall, the benefits of genetic testing include the potential for more individualized nutrition and health advice, more informed decisions by couples attempting to have children (i.
e.
, alternatives such as adoption), increased surveillance for the disease, and the ability to plan appropriately for the future.
However, it is not possible, given the resources presently allocated to medical care in North America, to identify all people at genetic risk for the major chronic diseases and other health problems.
In addition, in many cases genetic susceptibility does not equate to a guarantee of development of the disease.
And, in almost all cases, there is no way to cure a specific gene alteration only the health problems that result can be treated.
Thus, the wisdom of genetic testing is an open question.
Perhaps preventive measures and careful scrutiny for the specific genetically linked diseases in one's family would suffice.
Whatever you're decision after receiving your results from genetic testing, it can be widely assumed that being armed with the information puts you at a distinct advantage.
While there may not be a cure for a particular disease, there often are things you can do to greatly reduce the risk of contracting a disease.
Also, some medication and treatments work better if they are administered at the very onslaught of the development of a disease, so if you are aware that you have a greater risk to contract a particular disease, you can be aware of what signs to look for and when to get testing.