Genetic Testing: The current ethical and legal issues

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Genetic Testing

Introduction

Genetic testing is a DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid ) based tests . DNA which is a nucleic acid molecule , is understood to possess all the genetic instructions of vital importance towards the developmental and functional aspects of all living things . D .N .A . is the sole unit in the living things that stores important information necessary to construct components such as RNA molecules , enzymes and proteins (Buchanan , Brock Daniel Wilkler , 2001

The information in DNA is coherently accurate . Meaning that any

br information derived out of genetic testing is equally accurate . The technology is at its infancy stages and it is exhibiting potential use in the future as a technology in the field of health care services . Its sophistication adds to its reliability as techniques of vital use to detect and test genetic diss . The DNA molecule in particular is examined in cases of genetic testing

Other tissue in the blood can be used for genetic testing which include enzymes , proteins among others . The use of these gene products requires , that chromosomes stains or fluorescent , are examined under high power microscopes (Wasserman , Bickenbach Wachbroit 2005

Genetic Testing and Health care

In the medical profession , genetic testing is day-to-day gaining immense importance . This is due to the high number of diseases that are caused by defects of the genes accompanied by the corresponding high number of genes identifiers . Mutation issues of these genes further complicate the scenario since the already accounted figures are bound to hike in instances of mutation . Definitive diagnosis and treatment of the genetically inherited diseases are highly dependent on genetic testing .There is a very high likelihood that this technology will be a core part and a routine in all health care fields , which will be compulsory to all irrespective of the genetic position of presence or absence of genetically inherited diseases . This is based on the fact that technology is advancing and scientists ' researches are yielding more and more knowledge especially in the field of health as it relates to genetic variation . From the health care point of view reasons for genetic testing exist (Parents Asch 2000

Reasons for Genetic Testing

Prenatal diagnostic genetic testing involves conducting a genetic test in an embryo or fetus with the aim of identifying the possibility of an existing genetic disease in the fetus or embryo . The newborn baby may also be subjected to a genetic test for the same reasons as applies to the fetus or embryo above

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is also conducted aimed at screening the embryo for a disease . Some individuals possess , in their DNA a single pair of genes responsible for a disease , which for its full expression , requires two genes . Such individuals who are unaffected by that particular disease may require a genetic testing to come up with a conclusive result of their carrier position (Sumner , 1999

Some genetically related diseases in affected may be dormant , with their symptoms not being fully blown . These individuals also need some genetic testing...