Childhood Testing For Late Onset Genetic Diseases

One of the most captivating chapters throughout her book, Genetic Dilemmas, is her argument against childhood testing for late-onset genetic diseases. She also discussed how parental knowledge of the results violates the child’s right to an open future and can strain the relationship between parent and child. Yet, Dena Davis has been criticized for these claims in many publications, including a popular article by Mary Ann Sevick. In this paper, I will argue that children should not be forced to know their fate and show that the critics are not looking at the bigger picture. Davis recognizes in the first part of the chapter that there are both advantages and disadvantages to having children tested in order to assess their carrier status. She articulates that when working with a disease like Huntington’s Disease, which is dominant so you only need to be carrying one copy of the gene in order to be affected, the cons of knowing your fate far outweigh the pros. Presymptomatic testing leads to a spiral of possible â€Å"over-testing†, depression, difficulty obtaining health care, and even â€Å"survivor guilt† for those who do not carry the disease. Yet, those who have gotten test atest to the fact that they are able to plan ahead for their future and evaluate their reproductive choices with more certainty. This then leads us back into Davis’ â€Å"right to an open future argument†. Davis states, â€Å"The right of privacy that the child will have when she becomes an adult...should be respectedShow MoreRelatedThe Disadvant ages of Genetic Testing on Children Discussed in Dena Davis Book Genetic Dilemmas2357 Words   |  10 Pagesof her book Genetic Dilemmas, Dena Davis asserts that it is unethical for parents to subject their children to genetic testing for the markers of adult-onset genetic diseases because it places an unfair constraint on a child’s right to an open future. 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