A young woman presents to her primary care provider. Her mother has just been diagnosed with Huntington's disease, and several other members of her family have been diagnosed with the condition as well. She wants to know her options regarding testing to see if she is a genetic carrier. From an ethical perspective, what issue would be most important to discuss with the patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that there is no known treatment that can alter the progression of the disease is the most important ethical issue to discuss with the patient. This is because the patient may be at risk for developing Huntington's disease, and knowing this information could have a significant impact on her life. The patient may want to consider genetic testing to determine if she is a carrier of the gene for Huntington's disease. However, it is important to discuss the implications of this testing with the patient before she makes a decision.

A Young Woman Presents to Her Primary Care Provider