Genetic Testing (Testing on Adults, Children, Fetuses etc) & Reliability

Question 1

Is there a way to test a person for a fault allele?

Answer 1

Yes; if the tests are positive, an appropriate course of action must be chosen, but there are risks involved but benefits may be gained

Question 2

What are the affects of testing on Adults?

Answer 2

If the results that are obtained are positive;
The adult may choose not to have children
The adult may choose to adopt
Or even still the adult may still decide to have a children and accept the risk of passing on the disorder to their offspring

Question 3

Is it possible to test on Children?

Answer 3

Yes they can be tested to see if they have any disease-causing genes. These tests can also be carried out before prescribing certain drugs (for cancer treatment) that may have a negative effect on the individual due to their genetic make-up.
If this happens, most effective treatment can be undertaken.

Question 4

Can fetuses before birth be tested?

Answer 4

The fluid surrounding the fetus r the placenta can tested for faulty alleles.

Question 5

Would it have any risks on the fetus?

Answer 5

It carries a small risk of causing a miscarriage and has other implications

Question 6

What happens if a fault allele is detected?

Answer 6

The parents would have to consider whether the pregnancy should be terminated and whether other family members should be told as they too may carry the faulty allele.

Question 7

Are there any concerns that arise from genetic testing on Fetuses?

Answer 7

There are ethical concerns about whether pregnancy termination should be considered and the possible effects the information may have on an individual or their relationships

Question 8

What does the term ‘True Positive’ mean?

Answer 8

That in both the test results and reality the fetus has the disorder

Question 9

What does the term ‘True Negative’ mean?

Answer 9

That in both the test results and reality the fetus does not have the disorder

Question 10

What does the term ‘False Positive’ mean?

Answer 10

That the test results say the fetus has the disorder when in reality it doesn’t

This result might then lead to parents terminating an in fact healthy fetus.

Question 11

What does the term ‘False Negative’ mean?

Answer 11

That the test results say the fetus does not have the disorder when in reality it does

Question 12

How often do false negatives and false positives occur?

Answer 12

False Negatives are rare and false positives are rarer.