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What Are the Dangers of Genetic Counseling?

Genetic counseling refers to the process in which DNA is analyzed for changes in genes that could potentially cause illnesses or particular diseases, and then the results of these tests are discussed with a genetic counselor. While genetic counseling is used as a tool to diagnose or estimate risk, its varied uses aren't without controversy. It's easily accessible in the medical world, yet it's important to know the risks and possible dangers associated with this option.

  1. Partial Disclosure

    • Once the results of genetic counseling have been obtained, it is the responsibility of the person receiving the information to process and disperse it. Depending on the type of testing and the potential consequences of the results, not passing on this information to other family members or partners involved could have particularly dangerous effects. While the patient has a right to privacy, others may feel they have a right to full information. For example, some family members may demand to know the genetic test results of a family member for their own purposes; others may find it to be too much knowledge and prefer to remain uninformed.

    Ethical Dilemmas

    • In the world of prenatal genetic testing, certain gene abnormalities can be detected prior to childbirth, such as Down Syndrome and spina bifida. This testing is generally performed so that mothers can know ahead of time what to expect about their unborn child's risk of a genetic disorder -- yet sometimes, this situation creates an ethical dilemma. While more information is sometimes desired, obtaining unfavorable results may lead some mothers to consider ending the pregnancy.

    Anxiety or Depression

    • Genetic counseling has the possibility of ending in anxiety or depression. Discovering undesirable family traits, particularly in yourself or in your immediate family, can cause a large amount of worry and sadness. Positive results don't always mean the genetic disorder will develop, but rather that the risk of developing it is higher. The undesired results of genetic counseling can significantly affect the future plans and lifestyle choices of family members. It is important to note that genetic testing is not 100 percent reliable, and is used for predictive, as opposed to deterministic, purposes.

    Discrimination

    • Once a diagnosis is given or a disorder is found, it is possible then to experience feelings of discrimination or being labeled. While laws are in place to prevent workplace or health insurance discrimination based on genetic disorders, discrimination may still occur on an interpersonal level. If someone tests positive for a genetic disorder and others find out, that person may be viewed as sickly or much more prone to becoming sick than her peers.

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