Thread: DNA Testing -- Would you do it?

Originally Posted by Texpat

I'm hoping I don't get Alzheimer's and wonder around Klong Toey for eight months before getting hit by a bus.

I think it was Bill Cosby who said, and I paraphrase, so what. If you have Alzheimer's, you won't know anyway.

^ Not so sure about that Jet...

This woman was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 48 and she's been writing a blog about her experiences for the last few years - Alzheimers blog

^ Then I reckon she's doing OK. One of my granma's had it, and it was called "being forgetful." Mind, she was about 85 at the time and lived to 96. I read if you do xword puzzles, play cards and vid games, it keeps the brain links running. TD is prob a good equivalent for that.

Originally Posted by walrus

^ Not so sure about that Jet...

This woman was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 48 and she's been writing a blog about her experiences for the last few years - Alzheimers blog

Sadly she has made the same entry 453 times.....

Originally Posted by extras

My father's side of the family tree keeps losing to cancer. Having lost yet another uncle to it just a few days ago, I'm quite sure the bugger will eventually get me. No need for DNA test.

The thing with cancer nowadays (with a few exceptions) is that it IS curable - here comes the important bit - IF its caught early enough. Most people die from cancer because its detected too late, and has spread too far. Many people ignore 'warning signs" for years - in which case nothing really can be done. Having a strong family history (and this includes people like parents/brothers/sisters/aunts uncles and cousins) may well be an indication something is going on - or it may just be rotten luck. It really depends on who had what so to speak.

If there is a lot of breast cancer (and or ovarian cancer) in the women in your family - there could be an inherited mutation - and your chance is 50/50 that you carry the same mutation (you say you are a woman). If you DO - you have a strong likely hood of developing breast cancer during your life time - and so a regular screening program would be a really good idea - and a genetic test an even better idea. breast cancer is definately one of those "curable if caught early" cancers.

Screening for diseases where there is no possibility of a cure (some of the degenerative diseases say) is more of a personal choice. Some people don't want to know - others would rather know - for better or worse - and if worse they can plan for that - and if better, they can avoid a life time of worry.

But these are diseases for which there is a well known cause and effect. Most of the oher things - obesity, heart diseases, arthritis, high blood pressure - well, as said, there is no genetic screening currently worth paying for. you will get a more relaible answer by looking at your family, and seing what is going on with them.

there is quite a number of good articles here...

Genethics.ca - Genetics and Ethics page

Do people with Alzheimers anticipate anything? I wonder if living without worry makes some of them live longer?

I would be interested in learning about my DNA. Of course, you can look at yourself and see what kind of DNA you have. You have physical features which affect your life and your future decisions. I wouldn't waste money on a test right now as I don't see the technology as being very advanced right now. I can see a day when DNA testing and usage would be used by every doctor. It's just a matter of time. Right now there are certain tests people get prior to marriage/having kids, aren't there?

^ Ya, like tests to ensure your blood types are compatible so your babies don't turn out to be momos.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Originally Posted by walrus

^ Not so sure about that Jet...

This woman was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 48 and she's been writing a blog about her experiences for the last few years - Alzheimers blog

Sadly she has made the same entry 453 times.....

That's good, nid. 555

Originally Posted by Rattanaburi

Do people with Alzheimers anticipate anything? I wonder if living without worry makes some of them live longer?

My previous joke aside (which was in markedly poor taste I am afraid) Alzheimers is an awful disease that I would not wish on anyone. There is a progressively increasing memory loss that strips a person of everything that made them that person. Its slow, irreversible and the last stages are tragic. In late stages Alzheimers patients lose control of all bodily functions.

^ True. We laugh about forgetfulness, but Alz's is a tragic disease, especially for the family.