
![]() |
Health alert and Health Page on U.S site (https://www.23andme.com/) |
![]() |
Health Information Provided by Genetic Testing in U.K. (https://www.23andme.com/en-gb/) |
Unfortunately, the U.K genetic tests are only available to U.K citizens, and are not available for purchase by American citizens. Genetic testing and knowing the risk factors for diseases that are deadly or degenerative could have a huge impact on treatment. Many diseases are more easily treated or even prevented by having prior knowledge of their existence. A double mastectomy for breast cancer could prevent the cancer from ever occurring in those who have both affected genes. Since the vast majority of those with the genes end up with the disease by 70 years old, solving the problem now could prevent ever having to suffer through chemotherapy and having to make horrible life decisions. It could even prevent deaths to those with advanced breast cancer.
The decision to make health care decisions has almost always been in the hands of the affected individual. To take that away now is to take away the human right to know what is going on with your own life. With informed medical guidance and proper decision making, these genetic tests could save lives. And if they ever come back on sale in the United States, I'll be one of the first ones to get mine done.
Sources:
No comments:
Post a Comment