TalkNurse Kendra James Interviewed about deCODE Diabetes Risk DNA Test
Over at Eye on DNA, Hsien just interviewed someone who took deCODE’s T2 test for diabetes risk to see what it was all about.
This week, I interviewed cardiac nurse Kendra James of Diabetes Notes and A Hearty Life about her experience with the deCODE T2 genetic test and although she had already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it was still an interesting experience for her.
Hsien asked whether Kendra would consider having her daughters tested for this or any other genes. As the mother of a three-year-old, this made me think. When talking about genetic risk information, it’s important to consider a child’s right to privacy, or you might call it, a child’s right to not know. Young children aren’t in a position to make educated, informed decisions about things like the impact of genetic risk information. As parents, we are their proxies until they reach the age of 18. So unless genetic information were to affect their immediate health, I think that choice lies with them, not us.
I am absolutely interested in genetic risk information for myself — I agree with Kendra’s “knowledge is power” sentiment. With risk information, you can make choices about prevention (and perhaps, stick to them with greater determination). But, in terms of children’s health, as a parent you can make lifestyle and other choices based on family history alone, i.e., “Mom has a genetic risk and it has such-and-so inheritance pattern — which means you’ve got the risk of a risk. When you’re older, you can choose whether to learn if you carry the risk or not.”
Parents out there, what do you think? Ethical watchdogs? Genetic counselors — I know you’re steeped in this — give us your two cents.
Technorati Tags: decode t2, type 2 diabetes, risk, dna, genes, genetics, testing, personal story, considerations for children
June 16th, 2007 at 2:10 am
I think it depends on the type of genetic test and disease. I’ve read of some teenage girls who took the BRCA test and went on to have prophylactic mastectomies. It seems awful but given their family history, that was the best decision they could make at the time. But for chronic diseases that can be managed, I would probably spend the time educating my child on healthy living habits rather than stressing over genetic testing. As an adult who full (partial?!
) reasoning capabilities, I would prefer to know all if I’ve promised myself to use the info to live a better, healthier life. If I can’t be bothered, however, then I’d just leave it!