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Reflective Project
Please use the invitation to make a difficult decision of whether or not to undergo the genetic test. Self examine your own thoughts and feelings. Reflect on alternative perspective.
1500 words
Plan
· Write it as first person.
· I would like to take part in the genetic testing. However, I would like to see a trained genetic health professional before I make the final decision.
· I would like to do this because I come from India and first cousin marriages are not uncommon in my part of the world.
· Genetic disorders can happen if parents are blood related (consanguinity)
· Talk a bit about consanguinity.
Consanguinity and its relevance to clinical genetics - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110863013000037
Consanguineous marriages - Preconception consultation in primary health care settings - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3419292/
· Even though to my knowledge, such marriages haven’t happened in my family of both parents. However, understanding any genetic abnormality would be good to pass that information to the future generations.
But this can create problems within family members. Some family members not wanted to know the genetic abnormalities. Once my test results are out and if it is positive, I will be creating unnecessary anxiety and stress to the rest of the family members.
· Genetic testing can help people to make informed decisions about managing their health care.
· From a patient perspective, it is vital to explain the advantages, limitations and disadvantages of genetic screening. Google it.
o There are benefits
o There are limitations of genetic testing
· These are two really good articles
2) https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/testing/benefits
· How to manage the reaction if it is a good news or if it is a bad news. People do react differently and there is no “normal” reaction.
· Patient support groups are a good source of information about genetic conditions and how patients are coping with similar situations. Practical and emotional aspects.
· Will the genetic test affect my insurance in UK?
· Choose the time of the testing when the complicating factors are at a minimum. For example, divorce, break ups, marriage, child birth, stressful time at work, before going for holidays etc.
Make a difficult decision of whether or not to undergo a genetic test.
Name
Institution/Affiliation
Date
The decision whether an individual should take a genetic test or not is always a difficult one (Genetic Home Reference, 2018). Bearing that in mind I would like to take part in genetic testing because it is my choice. However, I would like to see a trained genetic professional before I make the final decision. I acknowledge that it is significant that I discuss and understand all the relevant information regarding genetic testing because it will be significant in my decision making. Taking a genetic test will also help me acquire a long-term insurance policy considering it as a requirement by insurers. Through meeting a well trained genetic professional, I will be able to raise any questions or worries that I have regarding genetic testing. As an Indian, I would like to have a genetic because in our culture it is normal to have first cousin marriages. This cultural behavior increases the possibilities of genetic disorders due to blood relations. I recognize that genetic testing possesses greater benefits as well as a considerable number of potential risks and limitations.
As a result of my cultural background and the normalcy at which we have consanguineous marriages all of the sudden genetic testing appears as something, I should consider taking. According to Hamamy (2012, p.185), consanguinity is a widespread practice within communities from West Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa accounting for 20-50+% of marriages. Through extensive research, I recognize that various health providers have highlighted the negative implications of first-cousin marriages considering they increase genetic risks to the offspring. Shawky et al. (2013, p.158) support this assertion by arguing that various studies have revealed that in consanguineous marriages children tend to depict more genetic disorders than those born to non-consanguineous parents. Even though to my knowledge, such marriages have not happened in my family yet. In my opinion, I acknowledge preconception genetic counseling to be the necessary evil for populations with more consanguineous practices. Understanding any genetic abnormality would be good as I can pass that information to the future generations.
There is...
