Genetic screening

Genetic screening is a relatively new and rapidly emerging field. Integration of genetics in public health offers innumerable opportunities for disease prevention and health promotion—the fundamentals of public health. From a public health perspective there are three forms of genetic screening: diagnostic, carrier, and predictive (Fluda & Lykens, 2006). Diagnostic screening, the most common form, includes prenatal and newborn screening to identify current disease status (e.g., phenylketonuria, Down syndrome). Carrier screening determines whether an individual carries a specific genetic trait (e.g., breast cancer, type 2 diabetes). The predictive screening determines whether an apparently healthy person with positive family history has a genetic mutation that will lead to a late onset disorder (e.g., Huntington’s disease).

As population genetic screening continues to expand from the newborn arena to adult-onset conditions, there are increasing concerns whether such screening might lead to negative psychological impact as well as discrimination by third parties, including insurers and employers. In addition, there are ethical concerns relating to individual autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality.

For this Discussion  select an article from the Library related to a genetic disease. The disease you select can be either a genetic disease, or a disease that is believed to have a genetic component that might make an individual predisposed towards the disease. Consider the ethical issues related to screening for genetic disease.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post a brief summary of the article and describe the genetic epidemiology of the disease you selected. Explain one ethical issue related to screening for this disease. Provide a rationale for or against making screening for this disease mandatory for the public good. Support your position using scholarly sources.