Topic 1: Prediction and Prognosis
Second Journal
We will soon be able to predict whether there is a high risk of dementia later in our life as advancements in medical fields have been skyrocketing. Personally, I would want to know if I had a high risk for dementia within one to seven years. I would also want to know if my parents or any of my close friends have any risks themselves. It is already possible to determine whether someone has a chance of having an early-onset form of Alzheimer’s. Doing a genetic test could appease my concerns if it turns out to be negative. Also, I believe that humans are hard-wired to be inquisitive. If I was given the chance to know if I have a high risk of dementia later in life, I would certainly take it.
However, concerns related to predictive tests include the potential for false positives. Genetics is a particularly growing field that attracts a great amount of attention. There is a concern about the potential harm of genetic applications through sequencing the genomes of healthy people. Geneticists still have many mysteries to unravel about the genome. There is a lack of data on genomes, making the effect of harmful gene variants on the general healthy population unpredictable.
Nevertheless, having a certain gene does not necessarily correlate to a certain condition as it could be found harmless. For instance, smoking and lung cancer certainly have a correlation, but there are examples of chronic smokers who never develop lung cancer. On the other hand, there are also some people who develop lung cancer without having ever smoked. Therefore, if a family has no prior history of an illness, it is uncertain how much a genetic testing is reliable. Someone considering undergoing personal genomic testing should be aware of these issues to better understand what the results they might obtain could mean. It can be difficult not to jump to conclusions after learning that you carry a gene linked to a disease.
Moreover, genetic testing does not only have an impact on the individual taking it. It affects relatives as well. Families may have difficulty coping after learning that a family member got a positive result for an inherited disease, as this implies that they could have it as well. It would certainly encourage important conversations among family members.
Based on the understanding of dementia that I have gained from the reading The Experience of Being Demented by Joseph M. Foley, I would prefer knowing anything that is coming my way. This would allow me to prepare accordingly. A predictive test could help me and my family prepare for future decisions. Knowing that I am identified as high risk for dementia within one to seven years, I could complete advance care planning activities and provide instructions for my care when I will no longer be able to make decisions. It would enable me to prepare financially and emotionally. It would also allow my family and friends to plan accordingly.
Knowing what may happen in the future would allow me to make lifestyle changes and create strategies. If there was a possibility to diminish the severity of my condition, it would incite me to exercise more and eat healthier. I would do crossword puzzles and write little notes for my future self.
Furthermore, a predictive test for Alzheimer’s could lead to discrimination concerning insurance. Indeed, insurance companies can discriminate based on people’s genetic information. Testing for a specific gene that indicates the likelihood of having Alzheimer’s disease could influence decisions regarding the need for long-term care insurance, which could have repercussions on the insurance coverage.
Genetics is an inspiring field that is blossoming with rapid acquisition of new knowledge, enabling access to information on our genes, preventing diseases and treating them faster than ever before. It surely won’t take long before we can have a deeper understanding of this field and its role in dementia. There will soon be ways to truly know if someone has a high risk for dementia. Personally, if I could find out if I have a high risk of dementia later in life, I would certainly want to.