Biology 1st Edition by Jerome Krueger, Kendra Hill, Robert Noyd

Exercise 4

The onset of some diseases, such as Huntington disease, cancer, and familial hypercholesteremia, occurs later in life. Genetic testing is available for these diseases, allowing for the diagnosis of these adult-onset disorders before symptoms occur. What are the emotional and medical effects of a positive test for a condition that causes premature death? Is it appropriate to offer such testing if there is no cure to the fatal condition? What type of discrimination might someone with a positive diagnosis face?