Introduction
The field of genetics had basically been initiated by Gregor Mendel’s work. In 1865, Mendel proposed basic hereditary laws based on his observations from the breeding pea plants. Several other hallmark discoveries like Thomas Morgan’s experiments in the year 1910 followed. Genetic code is essentially set of rules through which the information that is encoded within the genetic material that is, DNA or mRNA sequences is decoded into proteins that is, amino acid sequences by the living cells. Precisely, the code defines mapping between the tri-nucleotide sequences termed as amino acids and codons; each triplet of the nucleotides in a given nucleic acid sequence actually specifies a particular amino acid.
Thus, this essay focuses on the examination of genetic code in human beings. It tries to expound on the reasons why parents should have their genetic code examined. In addition, the essay discusses the reason why the likelihood of these parents having offspring with high sensitivity to diseases or with the congenital defects should be determined. Moreover, this essay talks about the concept of health insurance premiums where it tries to explain why individuals whose genetic examination show a higher probability of getting descendants with medical problems should not pay higher premiums. Finally, it discusses why individuals who refuse genetic testing should pay higher premiums.
Genetic examination refers to the overall studying and learning process in scientific fields, which involve molecular biology and genetics. The base system of the analysis revolves around the general genetics (Gilbert 2000). The elementary studies include the identification of genes and the inherited disorders. It is important to note that this research has actually been conducted for a number of centuries on both large scale physical observations bases and on microscopic scale. It is interesting to note that genetic code examination is performed so as to identify the genetic or inherited disorders and additionally to make differential diagnosis in various somatic diseases like cancer.
There are a number of reasons why parents should have their genetic code examined and their descendants with high sensitivity to illnesses or descendants having congenital defects determined. For one, parents must have their genetic code examined so as in the case where the results show a likelihood of them having genetic disorders it will be possible for them to manage the risks through choosing better lifestyles. The information that will be discovered will thus aide them in making better lifestyle changes (OECD Workshop on Genetic Testing and Ronchi 2001). Genetically linked diseases generally have environmental components that include nutrition, exercise, stress, diet, and exposure to some toxins and illnesses. For that reason, those parents whose genetic codes are examined will have a better chance to educate themselves about their genetic disorders hence this will help them in managing the risks associated with these disorders and choose healthy lifestyle.
The other reason why parents should have their genetic code examined is because it will help them personalize their healthcare. The results that will come out after this examination will facilitate personalized medicine. For instance, they will have a better chance to know beforehand if some medicines will be effective or will produce side effects. Doctors will communicate the genetic risk information to these parents and as a result, they will be in a better position to plan for their future and that of their offspring. Additionally, they will be able to prepare for possibility of serious ailments and monitor the common conditions more carefully. Therefore, it is crucial for the probability of their descendants with congenital defect be determined as early as possible since this will help them personalize their healthcare.
Moreover, advancing the medical research is the other reason why parents should allow their genetic code examined. Their participation in genetic code examination will contribute to advances in the medical research (Swarts 2009). This advancement in medical research will be of great importance to them and their offspring. The academia, drug companies, and medical practitioners will discover the genetic disorders associated with them and conduct further researches hence this will improve their health.
Parents who already suffer from complex and incurable genetic disorders will thus feel buoyed through being able to do anything to advance research progress on their conditions. While they might or might not gain from the medical discoveries that are associated to their genetic ailments, their future generations that is, their descendants might reap the gains. Therefore, it is important for the parents to undergo genetic code examination since this will advance the medical research that will be of great significant to their offspring.
The other reason why parents should undergo genetic code examination is because this will help them connect with all their genetic relatives. This benefit relates to identity and belonging. This exercise will inform the blood and adoptees members of the family valuable information about the genetic family members as well as their health status. This is crucial because after family members know one another, they will avoid intermarriage since this will only increase the disorders. Thus, it is also important that the probability of these parents having descendants with the congenital defects be determined so that all the family members will pull resources and help those with high sensitivity to illnesses.
Early treatment is another reason why parents must undergo genetic code examination and the likelihood of them having descendants with congenital defects should be determined (Marcovitz 2011). Depending on the results, they will be in a better position to know exactly what they are required to do. Some genetic code examinations may reveal that they carry genes, which put them at greatest risks of developing various illnesses. Realizing this will be of great importance since it will enable them to seek additional examinations and treatments that will save their lives. The most important thing is that through early treatments, their offspring will benefit as they will not pass the hereditary disorders to them. Thus, the future generations will be free from the genetic defects.
The other reason why parents should undergo genetic code examination is that this analysis will help them save a lot of money that is used in treating various genetic disorders. Parents will know their health status and determine the better medication that they are going to use so as to cure their disorders. In seeking this examination they will also identify if they have any genetic material that might put their children at risks (Wynbrandt and Ludman 2000). In case they will be identified as suffering from a given genetic disorder, they will take the necessary measures to cure those ailments hence this will protect their offspring getting those diseases and as a result they will have saved a lot of money that is used in treating various complicated genetic disorders.
Individuals whose genetic examinations indicate higher than average likelihood of having descendants with medical complications should not pay higher insurance premiums. Firstly, it is not their fault to suffer from these complications. This is something that is natural and for that reason, there is no any fact that shows that they should pay higher. In addition, genetic disorders are not similar to the risks that people expose their health to hence this explains why it is illogical to charge them higher.
The other reason why they should not be charged higher by the health insurance companies is because many cannot afford the exorbitant costs charged during the treatment of genetic disorders (United States 2009). Consequently, charging them higher than the other members will only increase their problems rather than reducing them.
Genetic testing is fundamental in our health. Form the discussion above, it is unquestionable that genetic testing comes with many benefits. As mentioned, the costs of treating various genetic disorders is very high hence it is important for everyone to first undergo genetic testing and then enroll in a health insurance plan, which will help in paying a certain percentage of these costs. For that reason, individuals who refuse to undergo genetic testing should pay higher premiums in health insurance plan. This is because charging them more than those who undergo genetic testing will make them undergo this imperative testing.
References
Gilbert, P. (2000). Dictionary of syndromes and inherited disorders. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn.
Wynbrandt, J., & Ludman, M. D. (2000). The encyclopedia of genetic disorders and birth defects. New York, NY: Facts on File
OECD Workshop on Genetic Testing, & Ronchi, E. (2001). OECD Workshop on Genetic Testing: Viennna 2000. Basel: Karger.
Swarts, K. (2009). Genetic disorders. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Marcovitz, H. (2011). Genetic testing. San Diego, Calif: Reference Point Press
United States. (2009). An analysis of health insurance premiums under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Budget Office.
