I found an article which is quite interesting with regards to the subject of genetic testing. This was published in 2001 Newsletter (Division of Health Care Finance and Policy / Commonwealth of MA). Link = http://www.mass.gov/dhcfp/pages/dhcf...#new_datapoint Scroll halfway down to GENETIC TESTING: Its Limitations and Promise
Some excerpts:
“…Genomics uncovers a predisposition, not inevitability, and this distinction has tremendous implications for how testing is used and how results are acted upon.”
My children will be screened by shortly. I know that a negative echocardiogram for HCM now does not mean they are clear BUT an additional genetic test might.
“Scientist’s now believe that nine of 10 leading causes of US mortality (injury excluded) will be shown to have some genetic component.”
This is a pretty important statement considering the guilt I will feel should anyone of these kids come up with signs of the disease.
Massachusetts has a new law which bans insurance and employment discrimination based on genetic information.
As crass as it sounds, we are presently trying to hustle up some life insurance policies. As we understand it (posts on these boards) information gathered during this upcoming screening will become a part of their medical records and disqualify them from future insurability. Just because an echo shows evidence of disease now, doesn’t mean they won’t live a long and prosperous life. What if the echos are negative on all three? Will the fact that they have undergone this test be in their record? Will the test itself affect insurability?
Some excerpts:
“…Genomics uncovers a predisposition, not inevitability, and this distinction has tremendous implications for how testing is used and how results are acted upon.”
My children will be screened by shortly. I know that a negative echocardiogram for HCM now does not mean they are clear BUT an additional genetic test might.
“Scientist’s now believe that nine of 10 leading causes of US mortality (injury excluded) will be shown to have some genetic component.”
This is a pretty important statement considering the guilt I will feel should anyone of these kids come up with signs of the disease.
Massachusetts has a new law which bans insurance and employment discrimination based on genetic information.
As crass as it sounds, we are presently trying to hustle up some life insurance policies. As we understand it (posts on these boards) information gathered during this upcoming screening will become a part of their medical records and disqualify them from future insurability. Just because an echo shows evidence of disease now, doesn’t mean they won’t live a long and prosperous life. What if the echos are negative on all three? Will the fact that they have undergone this test be in their record? Will the test itself affect insurability?
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