Question

In some cases, people who test positive for genetic testing can receive preventive treatments. For example, people who test positive for the breast cancer genes BRCAL and BRCA2 can have a preventive mastectomy (breast removal surgery) before they develop the disease. In other cases, no preventive treatments are available, but frequent monitoring can help detect a disease earlier, when it's more easily treated.

What ethical or professional concerns does a health-care professional need to address when he or she has a patient who wants to prematurely treat a genetic disease? Do you think genetic testing should be part of normal preventive healthcare? Why or why not?

Answer 1

When a patient wants to prematurely treat a genetic disease, health-care professionals need to address ethical concerns and ensure the treatment is appropriate. The use of genetic testing in preventive healthcare is a complex issue with arguments for and against its inclusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a health-care professional has a patient who wants to prematurely treat a genetic disease, there are several ethical and professional concerns that need to be addressed. The main concern is ensuring that the treatment is appropriate and necessary, as premature treatment may carry unnecessary risks and side effects. The health-care professional also needs to consider the patient's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own health.

In terms of genetic testing being part of normal preventive healthcare, there are arguments both for and against. Some argue that genetic testing can provide valuable information about a person's risk for certain diseases, allowing for early intervention and preventive measures. On the other hand, there are concerns about the psychological and emotional impact of knowing one's genetic predispositions, as well as the potential for discrimination and misuse of genetic information.