Teenagers should have access to genetic tests in order to check whether they are the carriers of incurable diseases that can be genetically passed to their offspring. A method to ensure such information is screening, which can reveal damaged parts in the DNA, parts that can eventually trigger something like Down’s syndrome.
Guidelines specify that 15 or 16 year old teenagers should be given the opportunity to take these types of tests before they begin their sex life.
If there are cases of genetically transmitted diseases, the persons in question are offered IVF. The guidelines also specify that there couldn’t be any ‘social, ethical or legal’ reasons for preventing people from getting screened. Although the tests may look promising, Dr. Helen Wallace from GeneWatch United Kingdom referred to them as ‘dangerous and misleading’.
These tests are very important because there are 1 in 4 chances that the offspring to inherit the disease from one of his or her parents. The sickle cell disease can affect children if both of their parents carry the genetic alteration. A chance for couples represents accessing donated sperm and using it instead of the normal sexual intercourse.
Josephine Quintavalle supported the testing and said:
The public always reads these reports in terms of wonderful new cures and that is very worrying. Killing the carrier of a genetic disease does not eradicate or cure the disease. It is simply a modern version of eugenics.
The report said that results must be
provided to GPs and stored in a secure and accessible format so that the children have this information when they reach adulthood.
These tests could help decrease the future numbers of genetically transmitted diseases and increase awareness among most teenagers.
