http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/06/new-genetic-test-gives-parents-more-answers/?hpt=he_c2
Three
studies in the New England Journal of Medicine feature microarray testing as
the latest technology in chromosome analysis. It’s a genetic test that finds
small amounts of genetic material that traditional testing cannot detect. The
studies suggest that it has the potential to identify certain disabilities and
abnormalities as well as why a pregnancy failed. According to the first study,
chromosomal microarray analysis surpassed standard testing in detecting genetic
abnormalities because with the microarray doctors are able to evaluate smaller
pieces of DNA. The second study examined testing in relation to stillborn
babies and provided parents with information that helped them better understand why their
child didn't survive. The third study highlighted the limitations of genetic
tests by discussing a specific genetic condition that failed to be detected.
Despite the
limits, I feel like genetic testing has many benefits and depending on a woman’s
medical history and background she should consider getting tested. As two of
the studies showed, genetic tests are successful in helping parents learn more
about the genetics of their unborn children and what it would mean for them and
their child if developmental issues are found. I feel that having prior
knowledge is beneficial and gives parents time to seek counsel and make the
best decisions. The results from these genetic tests could determine a course
of action that could improve the outcome as well as help learn what genes lead
to what problems, which could also help generate potential cures.
But what if
your child is diagnosed with a genetic defect and no treatment or intervention
exists? Would you rather know or not? Or what about false positive and false
negative results? What if the genetic test generates a result that leads to a
misdiagnosis?
This article raises a very controversial topic. Would it be ethical to terminate a pregnancy if you gained knowledge that you were going to have a child with a disability? I think this is a very hard topic to discuss because I have a younger brother who is autistic and I know that I would have him no other way. I would like to think that individuals who underwent genetic testing would use this knowledge to help them take a course of action that would improve the outcome like Gloria said, however I don't think this would be the case 100% of the time. I also understand that circumstances vary from case to case vastly. The benefits of genetic testing can be HUGE but can raise many ethical and religious issues and questions.
ReplyDeleteThis is article is very interesting but also brings up a lot of controversial issues. On one hand I think it would be good if there is genetics testing out there that can determine if your unborn baby has a genetic defect or disease so parents can come to terms with it before the baby is born or seek out treatment options or answers. However, on the other hand I think it could be a bad thing. What if the tests were wrong? Who would want to put the parents of that child through that kind of agony? That woud be awful. And I'm sure that there are some parents out there that would choose to terminate the pregnancy if they knew that child had some kind of disease or defect and is that right? It just brings up a lot of controversial issues.
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