Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
Technological advancements enable people to access high-quality healthcare services and a larger bulk of data related to their health status. One of the recent innovations that are seen as revolutionary became the democratization of genetic testing. This kind of service was once associated with diverse restrictions but is now available to millions of people (Topol, 2016). Topol (2016) also notes that it was highly popularized in the 2000s when Angelina Jolie underwent the procedure that resulted in a media campaign. The celebrity spoke openly about her health status and the steps she underwent to ensure a high quality of life in the future. Clearly, genetic testing can help in identifying serious health issues or potential hazards, but it is critical to consider certain downsides of the procedure as well.
The major benefit of having a genetic test implemented is rather obvious and is related to accessing data regarding ones health conditions. A patient can learn about some hereditary disorders that can pose a threat to their health (Topol, 2016). For instance, if there is a family history of cancer, the chances of having this chronic disease are rather high. Many people want to know for sure whether they are prone to developing cancer when their relatives are diagnosed with this health issue. Such was the case with Angelina Jolie, whose mother died after a long struggle. An obvious benefit of the procedure can be a clear and detailed description of a persons health prospects that can be the ground for the development of an effective prevention plan (Grifantini, 2017). A person can access qualified care and receive a well-developed plan with the description of the necessary lifestyle changes to reduce the chances of developing the illness. As mentioned above, the procedure is now rather affordable, and people can have it even without any consultations with their physicians.
However, it is essential to consider the dark side of the matter before having a genetic test conducted. First, although the advancements in this kind of testing are remarkable, there is still a lack of qualified personnel who can properly interpret the results of genetic tests (Grifantini, 2017). Moreover, some errors are possible due to imperfections in equipment or procedures. Thus, a patient risks receiving erroneous results that can lead to wrong diagnoses and treatment plans. Mental health is another area to pay attention to when considering the relevance of genetic testing. People may develop depressive symptoms or other mental health issues when they learned about the health issues they have. A story about another Hollywood celebrity is well-known as well. After receiving screening results, Robin Williams committed suicide while the results turned out to be erroneous (Phillips, 2016). The celebrity was desperate and had to endure tremendous psychological load. Likewise, the person may feel devastated and develop numerous serious health issues after learning about the possibility of having some disorder.
It is also necessary to add that the possibility of having a disorder does not mean developing this disease (Grifantini, 2017). Moreover, comorbidity of illnesses is often considerable, and the prevention plan developed by a physician can contribute to the development of other health problems. Finally, Grifantini (2017) emphasizes that data confidentiality is one of the major vulnerabilities associated with genetic testing as laboratories often provide patient data to third parties.
In conclusion, it is necessary to note that genetic testing can be a good choice if a person understands related benefits and hazards. It is pivotal to address highly qualified medical staff and facilities with the corresponding reputation. The patient should receive all the details and have additional tests if necessary. People are willing to know more about their own bodies, but some are not ready for such knowledge. Finally, genetic testing is still undergoing transformations and further improvements, so it may be safer to avoid such procedures under certain circumstances.
References
Grifantini, K. (2017). Whats happening to your DNA data?: Genetic testing services abound, but consumers opting to use them should be aware of the pitfalls. IEEE Pulse, 8(6), 10-14.
Phillips, K. (2016). The hardest role of his life: Widow describes disease that drove Robin Williams to suicide. The Washington Post.
Topol, E. (2016). The patient will see you now: The future of medicine is in your hands. Basic Books.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.