The DNA Dilemma: A Test That Could Change Your Life

In a few paragraphs, write your personal reaction to the TIME article we read in class, "The DNA Dilemma: A Test That Could Change Your Life." Be sure to include what you feel to be your personal limits when it comes to genome sequencing. How much would you want to know? What would you not want to know? Take the perspectives of other stakeholders as well and describe what you would do as the doctor/geneticist/genetic counselor, the parent, and the child. 

I feel there are many ethical dilemmas that can be related to this issue. When it comes to genome sequencing, there are many limits and questions that people must ask themselves. I feel the personal limits and answers should be up to the patient or the patient's parents. The main questions you have to ask yourself are: do you want to know everything wrong with you, or only the important things? do you want to know about the future problems or just now? Personally, I would only get a sequencing test if my doctor recommended it. If I were to take a sequencing test, I would most likely only want to know what is going to effect me right now, and I would want my doctor to put everything else away until the time comes when I would need to know about it to help my health. I would not want to know any problems with me that wouldn't effect me until later. Also, I would want to know if I could carry on these problems (if any) onto my future children. As the doctor/geneticist/genetic counselor, I would ask the patient what they would want to do in each situation, need be. If possible, I would encourage them to sign a waiver with this information, just to back up my actions after the test is done. I would leave all of the options of knowing in their hands,so I wouldn't have to make the decision for them. However, if something came up that was life-threatening that could be fixed at that moment in time, I would tell them no matter what. As a parent, I would make a plan as to what I would want to know depending on when, and the severity of whatever is shown on the test results. For example, there is no need to know about an illness onset for 50 years from now, until then unless it can be treated earlier.

Reflections and Resolutions

REFLECT: What did you learn about yourself in 2012? About the world? About life? 

In 2012, I learned how strong I am as a person. I overcame my ACL injury and was finally cleared to do physical activity after 7 long months. Also, after 2 and a half years, 3 surgeries and 6 medicine treatments I became H. Pylori free. In addition, my cheerleading team won NCA Nationals in Dallas, Texas in March which was a very memorable and exciting experience. I also began to realize how fortunate life is and how it can be gone in a blink of an eye. The events that happened in the past few months like the death of my uncle and the Newtown Elementary School shooting opened my eyes to how fortunate I am to be alive and have healthy parents and siblings.
In 2012, I learned how cruel the world can be, but also how happy and full of love it can be. I gained many new friends throughout the year which helped me grow as a person. Also, I became more involved in politics and actually followed the 2012 election fairly well. I learned more about the world when I began my college search and traveled to different universities around the area.
In 2012, I learned that life is a gift. and we are not always its best caretakers. Sometimes tragedies happen, and we have to overcome them to become stronger. In 2012, I learned to appreciate the things life throws at me, even though they may not seem like good things at the time.

REBUFF: If you're anti-New Year's resolutions, explain why!

I believe that I am anti-New Year's, because most people make a resolution, and don't follow through after at least a few weeks.Why decide to change yourself for the better in the beginning of a new year when you could change your lifestyle any time of the year with a little effort? For example, most people's new years resolutions are to lose weight. After New Years, the gym is flooded with people and then empty a week later. Most don't follow through with their resolutions and forget. Also, why wait? You can change your life or achieve set goals at any point in your life, not the beginning of a new year.