Genetic Testing and Screening Essay - 3132 Words

There are numerous genetic disorders present in todays society that produce handicaps and threaten longevity. Genetic determinants are at the root of many cases of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, multiple malformations, retardation in growth and development, mental illness, and mental retardation. Estimates of the problems magnitude have been made from data provided by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which suggest that genetic factors are involved in one fifth of infant deaths, one fourth of the institutionalized mental retardates, almost one half of individuals with IQs less than fifty, and half of first trimester abortions (Finley 1982). Genetic screening is the systematic search within a†¦show more content†¦It prevents disease manifestation by helping patients cope with environmental conditions in the face of inadequate genetic endowment. This type of screening began in the early 1960s with the screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) and is currently the most widely practiced. Over the years, more tests have been added for other diseases that like PKU could be discovered by simple tests and treated by following a strict diet (Gitzelmann 1982). The second goal of genetic screening is the provision of reproductive information. Through simple techniques such as serum enzyme determinations and hemoglobin electrophoresis it is possible to identify individuals possessing genes that will cause serious disease in their offspring. Screening is most efficient if it is conducted to discover couples who are carriers of recessive disease inducing genes that can be diagnosed through amniocentesis. Examples of such diseases are Tay-Sachs disease, Beta thalassemia, and possibly sickle-cell anemia. It was specifically the screening for the Tay-Sachs trait, which began in 1971 that became the model for all carrier screening to follow (Gitzelmann 1982). The third goal of genetic screening, enumeration, has less immediate application, but serves in future developments. Enumeration (or counting) involves the estimation of the prevalence of mutant alleles, their distribution and biological significance. This type of information will add to the knowledge of human geneticShow MoreRelatedGenetic Testing or Genetic Screening1514 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic testing, also known as screening, is a rapidly advancing new scientific field that can potentially revolutionize not only the world of medicine, but many aspects of our lives. Genetic screening is the sequencing of human DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may prove pathological. As genetic screening becomes more advanced and easily accessible, it presents society with difficult questions that must be asked about the boundaries of science and to whatRead MoreGenetic Testing and Screening Essay1428 Words   |  6 PagesGenetic screening is the tes ting of variations in gene sequences in protein or DNA. Protein screening is easier, but DNA screening is more powerful. It is a physical screening for a protein or genetic abnormality that may allow detection of a disorder before there are physical signs of it, or even before a gene is expressed if it acts later in life. (web). This is a technique that is used on nonhuman species such as plants and some animals and is not questioned. The real question is if we shouldRead MoreGenetic Testing : A Medical Screening791 Words   |  4 PagesThe issues of genetic testing, screening also known as DNA testing is a medical screening that identifies changes in genes to identify one’s vulnerability from inherited illnesses (Pupecki, 2006). Advantages and Disadvantages of DNA Testing The primary benefits of genetic testing are to enable us to know our genetic status. When a person has a gene alteration, he or she could seek available resources like prevention and monitoring treatment options (Darden Business Publishing, 2004). TheRead MoreGenetic Testing and Screening Essay2695 Words   |  11 PagesIts no accident that off-spring resemble their parents. Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, located within each cell nucleus is a special chemical, that determines our genetic inheritance in a very orderly way. Under the microscope DNA looks like a mass of tangled threads which consist of tiny subunits called genes. Genes carry instructions, sometimes called the blueprint of life, for various characters like hair color, height, eye color. Our genes are received from both mother and father, half from eachRead MoreEssay on Genetic Testing and Screening2122 Words   |  9 PagesGenetic Screening Imagine yourself as a 26-year-old pregnant female. You have just been genetically screened and you found out that you carry a gene for breast cancer. This gene almost always causes breast cancer in early adult hood. Your daughter-to-be has just inherited this gene. You have the following options; a) Abort the fetus and discontinue a disease that wont show signs for decades? b) Carry out the pregnancy and pray that your daughter is lucky and wont develop the breast cancerRead MoreGenetic Testing and Screening Essay1868 Words   |  8 Pagesthese issues. I will discuss advancements of genetic screening and testing. The first step to any ethical problem is to understand the topic. It is difficult to formulate accurate ideas without knowledge about the topic, so first I will provide a little background information on genetic screening. I will then point out some of the areas of controversy associated with genetic screening, and finally I will discuss my view on the topic. Genetic screening can be used to refer to any activity that locatesRead MoreGenetic Screening and Physiological Testing in Young Athletes1545 Words   |  7 Pagestheir body’s type and capacity is. Instead of dwelling in sports where a child would not have the chance to reach high levels, such as the Olympics, it would be easier to use genetic testing, and known physiological traits to identify sports that the child has the right body for. These genetic tests look for specific genetic codes, such as ACTN3, that have already been identified to have a in certain impact in sports. ACTN3 has been identified to code for a certain protein only found in fast-twitchRead MoreThe Ethical Implications of Genetic Screening and Testing: Arguments For and Against1919 Words   |  8 Pagestechnology and medicine, genetic screening and testing is becoming more commonplace in our society. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) defines genetic screening as â€Å"a search in a population for persons possessing certain genotypes that (1) are already associated with disease or predispose to disease, (2) may lead to disease in their descendants, or (3) produce other variations not known to be associated with disease† (NHGRI, 2005). The term genetic testing is similar, but differsRead More Genetic Screening is Necessary Essay1679 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic Screening is Necessary You are sitting in the counselors office, waiting. You are staring at the walls, trying not to think about what you are considering, but still thinking about it. Will I get cancer? Do I have the gene that will increase my likelihood of getting cancer ? My grandmother had cancer. Two of my aunts have had cancer. What about me? If I have this test, what happens then? The door opens and in walks the counselor. Time to find out about genetic screening. GeneticRead MoreChild Screening Is The Best Course Of Action736 Words   |  3 PagesGenetic newborn screening is used to detect rare diseases and prevent them to doing irreversible damage to a baby’s development before the symptoms appear. The process begins with a tiny drop of blood from the baby’s heel when he or she is a few days old. The sample then is sent to a laboratory where testing is performed and results are analyzed. The blood sample can be tested for more than thirty disorders but the exact number depends on where you live. One third of the world’s babies are screened