Ethical issues in genetic testing

Abstract

The question has often been asked whether there is anything special about genetic tests - a topic known as Genetic Exceptionalism. Genetic Essentialism, is conversely, whether 'we are our genes'. Regarding the latter statement, everyone would agree that our environment has a lot to do with what we are - from the place where we live to the way we are brought up. However most scientists agree as well that there are boundaries which limit 'what we are', and these boundaries are usually genetic. If this is the case, then genetic exceptionalism is perhaps hue, as a genetic test can tell us something about each and every person, which a normal test cannot. A cholesterol test can tell me whether I have hypercholesterolaemia or not; a genetic test (if developed) may tell whether I am prone to develop it. Genetic tests are thus predictive; moreover they may involve other people, close relatives, who may not wish to know about their status and yet still be directly affected by insurances, employment issues, etc.