Should the Cost of Genetic Testing be Covered by Insurance?

Although, genetic testing is costly I do not believe it should be covered by health

insurance unless it is recommended by a health care professional.

What kind of requirements should genetic counselors have to ensure that people
understand the information that is presented to them in what is often an
overwhelming time?
Genetic counselling is the process of advising the individual and their families affected by or at
risk to help them adapt medical, psychological and familial implications of the genetic disease.
Genetic counselors should have an education about inheritance, testing, management,
prevention and resources. A pedigree chart should be provided to help the family understand
the transmission/inheritance of the disease. In addition, a DNA sequence chart can be helpful
to make the patient understand the genetic disease prevailing. Lastly, it is crucial for genetic
counselors to have psychological knowledge to help the patient overcome from an emotional
mental state.

Should genetic testing be more widely available?  What about how it should be
regulated?
In my opinion genetic testing should be more widely available. However, weighing the pros and
cons of genetic testing means considering important ethical, legal, and medical issues. There is
no doubt that genetic testing has helped saved lives and treat illnesses. There are several
applications for genetic testing, including prenatal testing where pregnant women may have
their baby’s DNA analyzed for abnormalities such as down syndrome. Through early detection,
treatment can commence as quickly as possible. Genetic testing is also helpful in the treatment
of different diseases. For example, the field known as pharmacogenetics helps doctors evaluate
a patient’s DNA to assess which medication of clinical intervention will have the greatest effect
and the lowest risk. Another common form of genetic testing is used to trace one’s family
history and can connect loved ones.
Despite the benefits to genetic testing there is a major problem with the legal issues that
surround genetic testing. Employers and insurance companies have been known to deny
individuals essential healthcare or employment based on knowledge of genetic disposition.
Because of this, genetic testing should always be done with confidentiality as a top priority.
Another concern is that widespread genetic testing may create opportunities for abuse
and terminating pregnancy. Overall, I feel that any woman who wants this kind of testing
should be able to obtain it. Below is an article I have attached that describes the pros and
cons of genetic testing in more detail.

https://healthinformatics.uic.edu/blog/pros-and-cons-of-genetic-testing/

WOULD YOU DO IT?

Last year I decided to purchase a genetic testing kit in order to find out more about my
ancestry roots and health predispositions etc. I am the baby of my family and do not
know much about my family history. The information that I obtained was very helpful
and interesting. I am now able to take action early for some of the conditions that I might
inherit later on in life. Unfortunately, before I did my testing, I was not aware about the
privacy concerns. However, I am still a on my parents’ insurance and have selected
options to keep my information private.