How much do you want to know about your genetic makeup? As we develop new tests and new understanding of cancer and other medical conditions, we take on the responsibilities of this knowledge. the most talked about responsibility is that of medical insurance. If genetic tests allow insurance companies to identify individuals as being at higher risk of diseases with costly treatments, does this mean they can charge more for that person's insurance coverage? Insurance is about preparing for the unknown--being confident that no matter what happens, we have the ability to survive the unexpected .
Deciding whether to get one's children tested for types of cancer should consider all the risks of knowing and not knowing. As Jordan mentioned in her presentation today, knowing can affect behavior in positive ways. But it may be possible that other individuals will take such information badly and it will affect their behavior in negative ways. (I assume the stories of good changes in behavior circulate more than the stories of bad changes in behavior.) The potential discrimination from others knowing such information ("I don't want my daughter marrying that guy with bad genes") may be something to consider as well.
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