Huntington's Disease is caused by a dominant gene. The symptoms do not appear until middle age(...

Huntington's Disease is caused by a dominant gene. The symptoms do not appear until middle age( age 40-45). There is a gradual degeneration of the nervous system which leads initially to muscle tremors. Death usually occurs within 10-15 years after the appearance of the initial symptoms due to deterioration of the nervous system.

As the human genome is typed, more and more tests are available to determine if a person carries a gene like this one for which there is no treatment or cure.

Using the information above, respond to the questions below.

a. If your family(Mother or Father) had a history of a genetic disorder like this one, would you choose to get tested for it? Why or why not?

b. Would the results of the tests influence your decision to have children? Explain.

c. Besides yourself, whom would you want to have access to the test results? Explain.

d. Who should not have access? Why not?

Expert Solution

a. ) yes, Since huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant disorder meaning if either of the parent is affected, then there is 50% chance that the offspring would be affected.

b.) Yes, If the test comes out positive, there would be 50% of the offsprings to be affected. And if the test comes out to be negative, there is absolutely no risk of the children being affected but only if the partner is also not diseased. So, deciding to have children or not becomes important.

c.) The spouse and the children (if any) should have access to the test results since it is a hereditary condition and it will affect their children and also the future generations to come.

d.) Any person who is not a part of his family should not be given access to the test results. There are two reasons for them to not know :

1. The test result is not relevant for them as they are in no way related to the family.

2. It can be taken as a social stigma by some people.

gladiator answered 1 year ago

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