In some cases, people who test positive for genetic testing can receive preventive
treatments. For example, people who test
positive for the breast cancer genes BRCA1
and BRCA2 can have a preventive
mastectomy (breast removal surgery) before
they develop the disease. In other cases, no
preventive treatments are available, but
frequent monitoring
can help detect a
disease earlier, when it's more easily treated.
What ethical or professional
concerns does a
health-care professional need to address
when he or she has o patient who wants to
prematurely treat a genetic disease? Do you
think genetic testing should be part of normal
preventive healthcare? Why or why not?