Question

Section 12 of Chapter 4 in the "Rizzo" Anatomy & Physiology textbook describes 4 genetic disorders. There are various others. Genetic testing can detect some genetic disorders before birth. In 5-7 sentences, describe the advantages and disadvantages of prenatal testing for genetic disorders in developing babies. Your remarks should also include at least one of the following areas: 1) Discuss whether or not the potential severity of the condition is a factor in deciding to conduct or not to conduct such prenatal genetic testing. 2) Discuss whether or not the ability to use prenatal gene therapy to prevent or reduce the problems arising from genetic disorders should affect the decision to perform such testing.

Answer 1

The beneficial purpose of conducting prenatal genetic testing for disorders before birth is to provide deep sense of relief to the parents worrying about the uncertainty of the fetus health. If found positive, the parents can prepare well financially and prenatal gene therapy / postnatal treatment could be initiated from the very early stage of the disorder. Whereas negative result releases the enormous pressure from the parent about the well being of the fetus and prevents unnecessary expenses to be spent for further prenatal genetic tests and check ups for the developing fetus.

In most cases, after knowing that a fetus is genetically abnormal, many parents decide to abort the developing baby which is considered as unethical in some religions. Apart from the ethical issues, prenatal genetic tests are pretty expensive and are affordable to only handful of people.