Discussion:
Genetic Testing and Disease
See the attached file.
DNA screening
Many corporations have started presenting at home DNA health screening. A person has a cheek swab that isolates DNA and it then evaluated for patterns investigative of disposition to disease, by of which a lot of these disorders are still yet to be curable.
1. What are a few disadvantages/advantages of tests for breast cancer, of which there is surgical intervention and non-genetic screening, but little behavioral modifications that affect progression?
2. What are some disadvantages/advantages of such a test for a 4-fold decreased risk of heart disease (for which there is nonsurgical/surgical intervention and progression of which behavioral modification)?
3. A 2-fold increased risk of Lou Gehrig's disease (for which there is little screening, little effect of behavioral modification, and no known effective intervention?
4. In each case the gene in question indicates an altered risk, but not a guarantee that the individual either will or will not contract the disease.