(Heredity)Discussion Topic 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 a 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?