Assignment:
What if medicine and science were advanced enough that you could know everything about your current and future health? What would that mean for you? Think about it - how would it impact you and your daily life as well as how you care for your health, including whether or not insurance would pay for "pre-existing" conditions? The latter area is one that many consider a negative aspect of genetic testing and knowing all about one's health. Why? Because, it could lead to genetic discrimination.
According to the National Library of Medicine (2018), "Genetic discrimination occurs when people are treated differently by their employer or insurance company because they have a gene mutation that causes or increases the risk of an inherited disorder" (para. 1). With the sequencing of the human genome and the subsequent increase in information available to society regarding genetic predispositions to disease through genetic testing, there is certainly a possibility for genetic discrimination.
Reference
Unites States National Library of Medicine. (2018). Genetics home reference: Your guide to understanding genetic conditions - What is genetic discrimination? Retrieved from National Library of Medicine.
Take a Side
Research genetic discrimination and develop a response answering the following question:
Should life insurance companies be able to require genetic testing in order to offer lower premiums?
Present your fact-based opinion and discuss. Suggestion: The National Library of Medicine's Genetic Discrimination website e is a great place to conduct your research for activity.