DNA testing holds tremendous promise for society. In medical applications, genetic testing has permitted more accurate diagnoses, and in the criminal justice world, genetics has captured perpetrators and freed the wrongly-convicted. However, fears about the potential for genetic discrimination and "engineering" of children still worry many people. Anyone considering DNA testing must be aware of the potential for discovering unwanted information about their own genetic makeup.
Types
DNA testing has a tremendous number of applications in everyday life. Because every person possesses a unique DNA sequence, genetic testing is widely used as a way to identify individuals, either for paternity testing or in criminal settings. In the medical field, diagnostic DNA testing is quickly becoming standard practice, helping to diagnose current diseases, or to alert patients who are carrying genes that raise their chances of developing certain types of cancers or other disorders.
Potential
DNA testing permits individuals to find out what diseases they are most likely to develop, which can allow them to take preventative steps and avoid the onset of the diseases. One of the most promising aspects of DNA research is the concept of so-called "personalized medicine," which would permit doctors to custom-tailor a medication to fit a person's unique genetic makeup. This could greatly reduce complications and increase the effectiveness of treatments.
Pros
DNA testing has proved extremely helpful in the criminal justice world. Not only does genetic testing help capture perpetrators, but DNA evidence has also been used to exonerate more than 200 individuals who were wrongly convicted of crimes.
DNA testing has even made it possible to screen for certain disease genes before a child is born. Using a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), couples undergoing in vitro fertilization can screen the potential embryos before implanting them into the womb, ensuring that none of their children will carry disease genes. In April 2008, English papers reported that a couple had used PGD to screen their embryos for the BRCA-1 gene, which would have given their female children a 50 to 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer later in life. By screening the embryos before implanting them in the womb, they were able to ensure that their newborn daughter carried a healthy copy of the gene, greatly reducing her risk of breast cancer.
Cons
While Americans generally support genetic research, surveys show many fear that employers and insurance companies could use a person's genetic information to discriminate against them in the workplace or in obtaining insurance. In response to this concern, Congress passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act in 2008, which puts limits on the ways insurers and employers can use this information.
And, of course, genetics carries with it the ugly legacy of the eugenics movement, which sought to improve society through better "breeding" of people. Beginning in late 19th Century America and Britain, eugenic ideas eventually settled in Germany, where the idea of "genetic purity" became a hallmark of the Nazi agenda. While governments are no longer engaged in systematic programs to eliminate undesirable genes, several recent movies (including "GATTACA" and "The Island") and commentators have explored the possibility that genetic testing will make it possible to "engineer" children with desirable traits.
Considerations
Individuals considering undergoing genetic testing should think very carefully about the implications of their decision. Certainly, there can be benefits to knowing you have a genetic predisposition for heart disease or cancer, so that preventative measures can be taken. However, there is also the potential of discovering you carry a gene for an incurable disorder, such as Alzheimer's Disease or Parkinson's.
Tags: genetic testing, before implanting, before implanting them, breast cancer, criminal justice
