Priyas Case

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Genetics research is a field in science and medicine that has not been fully demystified; a large number of people do not comprehend the implications of information received from genetic research. There are various issues that surround genetic research; the issues vary from social to financial issues. Depending on the results obtained from genetics research a person may face the risk of losing their job or have their employment contract shortened. In the social aspect, a person may be stigmatized due to results obtained from genetics research. These are the challenges that hinder people from having genetics tests performed on them, they worry about the implications the new information may have. This is the case with Priya.

In the shoes of Priya

I would have the test performed on me because this information is an important tool n planning my future. I would let my boyfriend know so that we can plan our future together. If the results show that the genes have then we will be able to plan when best to have children. I will also plan for their future. To protect her job interests she should not let the manager know immediately. She should wait until she falls ill or until she approaches the middle age, then let her employer know about the condition. Priya should notify her insurance company regarding the matter. This will enable her pay higher premiums during this period so that she can use her insurance cover during her ailing period. Her beneficiaries will also receive some money once her policy has matured; this is both an investment and health insurance policy.

Legal Issues in Genetics Research

I did not know that patients have the right to full information regarding their medical condition. This brings up the issue of informed consent. It appeared to me during the research that as a patient you have the right to information regarding their medical condition and how it can be handled. The health practitioner attending to the patient should provide all information that is necessary for decision making. This way a patient will be able to make informed consent.

I did not know that a law exists to regulate the termination from work of employees who disclose their genetics research information to their employers. Researchers in the field of health issues and ethics found out that many employees who disclosed their health information to their employers got discriminated against in their workplaces. Managers and employers should be in consultations with medical and health practitioners to ensure that though an employee suffering from a medical condition, they are fully employed, and their productivity is maximized. Employers should also look keenly into genetic conditions and understand their employees better, this way employees remain productive while the employer is satisfied with their work.

Prenatal Genetic testing

I did not know that this was even possible; performing genetics research on a fetus. This shows a high level of technological advancement in the fields of medicine and health. New parents are able to perform a genetics rest on the fetus before birth, and they can plan for medical expenses they expect to cover.

In conclusion

The field of genetic research will be fully understood once patients and the public get access to information and know their rights. There are both social and ethical issues that surround the field.

References

McLean, S., & Mason, J. K. (2003). Legal and ethical aspects of healthcare. London: Greenwich Medical Media.

Sensen, C. W. (2005). Handbook of genome research: genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, ethical, and legal issues. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH.