Genetic testing can determine gender, plus certain negative and positive genetic characteristics, including a?

Question

high risk of certain diseases. Discuss how this type of information could be used by parents, health care providers, and insurance companies.

Answer 1

I don't believe genetic testing is morally wrong, as another answer stated.  My experience with genetic testing took place almost 2 years ago due to  a very early diagnosis with invasive breast cancer.  There was some family history of breast cancer, however all the women were all elderly.  I was the youngest to be diagnosed (at age 42).  I was tested to see if I carried the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations.  If I was positive, then my children, my brother (yes men can get breast cancer too) my nieces and cousins and their children would have gotten tested.  Having a positive result virtually guarantees breast cancer.  Many people with a positive result, but have not yet been diagnosed with cancer choose to have preventative surgery.  Some choose to be watched more carefully and their doctors will be more cautious because of this.

Insurance companies, God only knows what they'll try to do to save a dime.

Having the test done has put my mind at rest.  Not knowing I carried something that could be passed to my children that could take their lives wasn't an alternative for me.  I had to know.  The test was extremely expensive and had to be handled by a genetic counselor.  The hospital had to seek and prove to my insurance company the test was a necessity.

Other answerers opinions really do not hold weight with me on this subject.  Until you have been in this type of situation to really know what you speak of, don't pass "moral" judgment on me.  Thanks for a great question.

Answer 2

Parents could decide that they don't want a child and have him or her aborted. Health care providers could monitor for risk of disease and may administer drugs in order to reduce the risk. (And who cares if it doesn't work because the drug companies still rake in the profits?) Insurance companies would have a more accurate assessment of the risk and would set their premiums accordingly.

This is why genetic testing is morally wrong.