Question

1. the pros and cons of genetic testing and the protections in place for those who have genetically caused diseases.

2.would be genetically tested for a disease and why or why not.

3.what is BRCA 1 and 2 Testing. And would you do it

4.what is diabetes. What are the difference types. And why should people get tested for it.

Answer 1

1. the pros and cons of genetic testing and the protections in place for those who have genetically caused diseases.

Genetic testing is a type of health program that involves the identification of any changes in genes, chromosomes, and proteins. There are a lot of types of genetic testing depending on what you want to test. Genetic testing can range from biochemical tests, molecular approach, or simply family history questionnaires. To perform a genetic test, a tissue from any organ that usually develops during pregnancy can be obtained. Examples of such are the placenta, amniotic fluid (pregnant woman’s water), bone marrow, or blood.

Advantages of Genetic Testing
There are a lot of potential advantages which can arise as a result of genetic testing. The following are some of them.

1. Early prevention and treatment of disease
As with any disease, early diagnosis of the disease will greatly help in faster treatment. The results of genetic testing can also help your healthcare provider in predicting the likelihood and deciding about the management of the disorder. In addition, the results of the test can also help one to learn more about the genetic disease and how it may possibly affect them and their relatives as well.

2. Peace of mind
For some people, finding out that they do not have the gene for a certain disease can become a blessing. They may feel a lot more peace because of the fact that they have not passed any gene abnormality to their children. In addition, because they no longer require the same type of medical treatment as with people who have the gene, the resources can be allotted to those who have the risk of having the disease.

3. Can determine parenthood
Genetic tests can be helpful in establishing evidence for the parenthood of a person for a case like child custody and support. The results of genetic test can also be used as a support for placing a parent’s name on the birth certificate of a child. Depending upon the country/state where you live in, DNA testing can be ordered by the judge for settling disputes in child custody laws.

4. The results can aid decisions in the future
For instance, if there is a low probability of passing a certain unwanted genetic condition, couples can have be assured that they can have children free of the disorder. On the other hand, a positive result may give the couple an idea of deciding not to have children because doing so may result to a high risk of their child developing the condition.

5. Can examine developmental delays in children
Like how it can determine parenthood, being genetically tested can be helpful is determining and interpreting developmental delays in children. Reasons for significant lags in physical, mental, and emotional growth can be determined.
Also if a woman has two or more miscarriages or pregancy over age 34, genetic testing will be helpful for early diagnosis which can help identify the appropriate treatment options.

Disadvantages & Limitations of Genetic Testing
While the process has indeed great advantages, there are several disadvantages that a person who wishes to undergo testing should be aware of. The following are some of them.

1. Physical risks
The physical risks associated with most genetic tests are indeed very small as some tests only require mere blood or tissue samples. However, some tests can be really destructive. As an example, the methods for prenatal testing involves the acquisition of amniotic fluid around the fetus. Such practice can be really dangerous because the mother may suffer from miscarriage.

2. May cause emotional and psychological stress
As alluded to earlier, the results of genetic testing can provide freedom from any uncertainty. However, in some cases, the results of genetic testing may create an emotional trauma for the person who finds out that he/she has a certain disease. It can lead to an increased anxiety to the individual as he might blame himself for possessing a gene that causes the disorder and potentially passing it onto their children.

3. May cause tension among family members
In relation to this, the results of these tests may also create tension among family members when an information about a family member is revealed. Having a negative test can cause emotional distress to the person because it gives him/her the feeling of “survivor guilt” from being unaffected by the disease while his/her sibling is at risk.

4. Genetic discrimination may happen
Genetic discrimination is the condition wherein a person feels and gets discriminated due to the fact that he/she possesses a genetic abnormality that increases the chances of him/her developing a certain genetic disorder. And because the results of genetic tests are included in a person’s medical history, the fact that he/she has this abnormality becomes known to employers and other people in the workplace. As a result, people may treat him/her differently.

5. The information is very limited
While it is true that some tests can be very specific about the genetic disorder, these test often cannot tell the severity of the manifestation of the disease. Also, a negative result may not be conclusive because it is not possible for a single test to identify all the genetic changes and abnormalities in a certain disorder. Because of this, additional tests may be necessary. Another thing is that while most genetic disorders can be easily diagnosed using these tests, there are still potentially millions of genetic mutations which are still not understood. Furthermore, treatment strategies are still lacking.

6. Gene products (from tissue samples) are unstable
For instance, one disadvantage of using biochemical test as a genetic test is that proteins from the tissue samples are more unstable that the gene itself. Easy deterioration of samples means a higher chances of inaccuracy in the results. Therefore, they should be properly stored and analyzed immediately after obtaining.

7. Tests can be costly
The price of having genetic test will depend on various factors including the type of test and the clinic you visit. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, the average cost of genetic testing in the US can range from less than $100 to $2,000! And as mentioned above, a single test may not be able to determine all genetic abnormalities so additional tests may be advised. The expensive price of genetic testing is only suitable for a small groups of patients because only those who can afford it can be tested.

3. what is BRCA 1 and 2 Testing. And would you do it

BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer genes 1 and 2) are the best-known genes linked to breast cancer risk. ... BRCA1/2 mutations can be passed to you from either parent and can affect the risk of cancers in both women and men. A person who has a BRCA1/2 mutation is sometimes called a BRCA1/2 carrier.

The genes are very similar. But harmful mutations in BRCA1 can lead to breast cancers that are harder to treat because they don't respond to hormone therapies used to treat tumors that occur more often in women with BRCA2 mutations.

BRCA1/2 testing is only recommended for certain people with a high risk of having a BRCA1/2 gene mutation, including those with:

• A family member with a BRCA1/2 gene mutation (or other inherited gene mutation linked to breast cancer)
• A personal history of breast cancer at age 45 or younger
• A personal history of breast cancer at any age and a family member (parent, sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or first cousin) diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger
• A personal history of breast cancer at any age and 2 or more family members diagnosed with breast, pancreatic and/or aggressive prostate cancer at any age
• Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and a personal history of breast or pancreatic cancer
• A personal history of triple negative breast cancer (breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative) diagnosed at age 60 or younger
• A personal or family history of ovarian cancer
• A personal or family history of male breast cancer
• A family member (parent, sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece) diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 or younger

There is only a very small chance your family carries a BRCA1/2 mutation if you or a family member is the only person in your family with breast cancer and the breast cancer occurred at an older age.

In most cases, genetic testing is not recommended when there is a low chance of finding a mutation.

4. what is diabetes. What are the difference types. And why should people get tested for it.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. Your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2 diabetes.

Other types of diabetes
Less common types include monogenic diabetes, which is an inherited form of diabetes, and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

Blood sugar testing — or self-monitoring blood glucose — provides useful information for diabetes management. It can help you:

• Judge how well you're reaching overall treatment goals
• Understand how diet and exercise affect blood sugar levels
• Understand how other factors, such as illness or stress, affect blood sugar levels
• Monitor the effect of diabetes medications on blood sugar levels
• Identify blood sugar levels that are high or low