12 Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing

Last Updated: Apr 25, 2018

Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing: The human body is composed of millions of cells,
which are considered as the “basic units of life”. Inside each cell lies the genetic material or
the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid).

Short sections of DNA are called together as the gene. The gene is also dubbed as the “basic
unit of heredity” as it contains the information and instructions that dictate how the body
should develop and function. Also, the gene is also important in the expression of
inheritable characters and traits.

Previously we’ve seen disadvantages of genetically modified foods and genetic

engineering pros & cons. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of genetic
testing.

Table of Contents
 What Is Actually Genetic Testing?
 How Is Genetic Testing Done?
 Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing
 Advantages of Genetic Testing
o 1. Early prevention and treatment of disease
o 2. Peace of mind
o 3. Can determine parenthood
o 4. The results can aid decisions in the future
o 5. Can examine developmental delays in children
 Disadvantages & Limitations of Genetic Testing
o 1. Physical risks
o 2. May cause emotional and psychological stress
o 3. May cause tension among family members
o 4. Genetic discrimination may happen
o 5. The information is very limited
o 6. Gene products (from tissue samples) are unstable
 o 7. Tests can be costly
 The Accuracy of Genetic Testing
 What’s Next?

What Is Actually Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing is a type of health program that involves the identification of any changes
in genes, chromosomes, and proteins.

Do you have a family history of acquiring a specific disease? Or are you planning to have a
child but afraid that he/she might inherit a trait you wouldn’t want to? Genetic testing is
the solution to all of these questions. The results of a genetic test confirm and eliminate the
possibility of any suspected genetic disorder. Such results will be highly advantageous for
the early treatment and prevention of diseases.

How Is Genetic Testing Done?

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.

Blood Test

Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing

Now we will explore the pros and cons of genetic testing. First, let’s focus on pros.

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.

Prevention

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.

Peace of Mind

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.

Parenthood
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.

Decisions

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 pregnancy over

age 34, genetic testing will be helpful for early diagnosis which
can help identify the appropriate treatment options.

Autism

Disadvantages & Limitations of Genetic Testing

While the process has great advantages indeed, 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.

Stressed

3. May cause tension among family members

About this, the results of these tests may also create tension among family members when
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.

Discrimination

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.

Limited Info
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.

Unstable

7. Tests can be costly

Basically, 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.
Expensive

The Accuracy of Genetic Testing

It is important to note that not all tests have the same predictability. The accuracy of any
result would be of course depend on whether the disorder is caused by an abnormality of
the gene and chromosome or just a mere result of acquisition from the environment.

What’s Next?
According to a study by theHarvard School of Public Health, a large majority of Americans
are not into adopting this kind of genetic technology. In fact, only 6 percent of adults said
that they had undergone genetic testing. While genetic testing is not compulsory, just like
any medical intervention, this technique aims to do good than to harm.

However, some consequences of the process are inevitable. Therefore, to avoid such
complications, it is vital to have counseling before and after genetic testing. In this way,
individuals are free to choose whether they want to or don’t want to undergo testing. And if
needed, they could have extra support.

So if you’re planning to be genetically tested, you might want to ponder about this
question: Is having genetic testing a mere trend that offers unproven hope, or does it
represent the first sign of treatment for affected patients? What do you think?