The National Human Genome Research Institute reports that newborn screenings are the most widespread type of genetic testing. All states are required to screen for at least 21 disorders, but some states test for even more. The positive side to these newborn screenings is that they help to identify metabolic disorders and conditions that can lead to mental retardation if not treated. There also are some cons to genetic testing.
Privacy
For some people, privacy issues can be a downside to genetic testing. The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory notes that if genetic testing reveals that an infant is a carrier of an inherited disease or is likely to develop or be affected by a disease, it can impact his future employment or his ability to get insurance in the future. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reports that parents should be made aware of all the pros and cons of genetic testing before giving their consent. There should also be adequate protections in place to make sure that only those who are authorized to see the results have access to it.
Cost
Genetic testing comes at a cost. State-mandated tests may be covered under your health insurance plan, but if you order additional testing on an infant, you may be reaching into your own wallet. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, reports there are about 900 genetic tests available. Some parents may want additional testing because of a family history of a certain disease or because they are members of an ethnic group more likely to develop certain disorders.
Fear/False Sense of Security
Genetic testing may serve as an early warning to help you be on the lookout for the development of a disease or enable you to change a child's lifestyle in order to ward off problems in the future. However, it can sometimes just increase anxiety and fears. The Mayo Clinic points out that a positive result on some tests does not necessarily indicate your child will develop a particular condition. For example, just because your child carries one of the so-called breast cancer genes, it doesn't mean she will definitely develop the disease later in life. On the flip side, a negative result doesn't guarantee your child is not carrying some genetic alterations. The accuracy of some tests varies. And just because your child doesn't carry the alteration, it doesn't mean she won't develop certain conditions in the future. It's best to consult with a genetic counselor to help you make sense of any test results.
