What is the impact of genetic condition on families?

An increased genetic risk or a genetic diagnosis can substantially impact medical management as well as the psychological and social well-being of the patient and family. The personal and permanent nature of genetic information raises a range of emotions including guilt, fear, and helplessness.

Why is genetic information important to life?

For organisms to survive it is important that the information needed for survival is passed on through the generations. If a population has sufficient variation within its genetic information, it is more likely to respond successfully to changes in the environment. Mutations can assist by increasing the variation.

Should genetic information be shared with family?

Whether your results are positive or negative, it is important to share them with relatives who might also carry the mutations. If your results are positive, sharing those results can help family members identify their own risks sooner.

What is the impact of genetic diseases?

Eight emotional effects of genetic diseases were identified: anxiety, worry about risks to children, guilt, anger, uncertainty, sadness and grief, depression, and redemptive adjustment.

How can people with genetic disorders be helped?

Gene therapy replaces a faulty gene or adds a new gene in an attempt to cure disease or improve your body’s ability to fight disease. Gene therapy holds promise for treating a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia and AIDS.

How can learning genetics benefit you?

Taking time to learn about genetics can help you understand your own health and make healthy choices. Genes that do not work correctly can cause problems. A group of rare diseases are caused when a single gene stops working normally.

How do parents use genetic information?

Parents pass on traits or characteristics, such as eye colour and blood type, to their children through their genes. Some health conditions and diseases can be passed on genetically too. Sometimes, one characteristic has many different forms. For example, blood type can be A, B, AB or O.

Who should own genetic information?

A clinical geneticist believes that if anyone is to own genetic information, it has to be all those who have inherited it and, more importantly, it must be available to all those who might be at risk. The question, she says, is how to balance a right to privacy with disclosing risks to others.

How can genetics affect a child’s development?

Genetic Interactions: Genes can sometimes contain conflicting information, and in most cases, one gene will win the battle for dominance. Some genes act in an additive way. For example, if a child has one tall parent and one short parent, the child may end up splitting the difference by being of average height.

What are some concerns about using genetic information in disease treatment?

These concerns include:

• Tailor-made medicines might be more expensive.
• Not everyone might have access to new treatments.
• Keeping genetic information private.
• Possible discrimination at work and from health insurance companies.
• Need for more information about this type of medicine.

Why is it important to understand genetic factors and genetic disorders?

Understanding genetic factors and genetic disorders is important in learning more about preventing birth defects, developmental disabilities, and other unique conditions among children. Some genetic changes have been associated with an increased risk of having a child with a birth defect or developmental disability.

Why is it important to know your family history of disease?

If your family has one or more of these features, your family history may hold important clues about your risk for disease. People with a family history of disease may have the most to gain from lifestyle changes and screening tests.

What is gengenetics and why is it important?

Genetics helps to explain: What makes you unique, or one of a kind Why family members look alike Why some diseases like diabetes or cancer run in families How learning your family health history can help you stay healthy Why you should bring your family health history to your healthcare provider

What is the importance of Genetics in pregnancy?

The importance of genetics is huge. It is getting extremely popular among pregnant women and young parents. They try to do their best to prevent their off-springs from specific disorders. A mom or dad-to-be having health problems should visit a geneticist.