Should parents be allowed to have their children tested for adult onset genetic conditions?

Opinions on predictive genetic testing in childhood As demonstrated in Figure 1, nearly half of the respondents (47\%, n=1423) agreed that parents should be allowed to test their children for adult-onset conditions, even if the child would not need any particular treatment or care before adulthood.

Should children get genetic testing?

If your child has symptoms of a condition linked to a genetic disorder, your child’s doctor may recommend genetic testing to confirm a diagnosis and refine treatment plans. Even if a child or adult has no unusual health symptoms, a family history of genetic disease can be a reason to recommend genetic testing.

Are there any special considerations one should think about when testing children for a genetic disease?

Decisions to test must balance multiple considerations, including likely benefits, the risks of knowing genetic status (including abrogating the child’s opportunity to make the choice about knowing genetic status him- or herself as an adult), features unique to the condition(s) being tested for (such as age of onset).

Is genetic testing for serious diseases a good idea?

Genetic testing has potential benefits whether the results are positive or negative for a gene mutation. Test results can provide a sense of relief from uncertainty and help people make informed decisions about managing their health care.

At what age should you get genetic testing?

Professional consensus among genetic organizations has always been to discourage testing of minors (those younger than 18 years of age) for adult onset conditions, such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Why do you think geneticist advise against testing people under 18 years of age?

There are three key arguments against predictive genetic testing in young people. These are that: (1) testing fails to respect the future autonomy of the young person; (2) testing young people breaches confidentiality; and (3) testing may cause psychosocial harms.

Should potential parents be required to be tested for genetic disorders?

New tests, including at-home kits, now make it easier than ever to know your odds of a having a baby with a genetic disorder before you get pregnant. Doctors usually recommend genetic testing if you or your partner has a higher risk of passing on certain diseases, like cystic fibrosis.

Whats the purpose of genetic testing?

Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder.

Is genetic testing necessary?

Genetic testing is useful in many areas of medicine and can change the medical care you or your family member receives. For example, genetic testing can provide a diagnosis for a genetic condition such as Fragile X or information about your risk to develop cancer. There are many different kinds of genetic tests.

Why would it be better to test for a gene within a family line?

For more information about genetic ancestry testing: The University of Utah provides video tutorials on molecular genealogy. The International Society of Genetic Genealogy promotes the use of DNA testing in genealogy. The National Human Genome Research Institute discusses human origins and ancestry.

What is purpose of genetic testing?