Many of these types of tests have proven to be useful but also very controversial. Accordingly, there are also many ethical determinants that accompany these new advancements. First, it is necessary to understand the basic concept of genetic testing. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, genetic screening or "genetic testing looks for alterations in a person's genes or changes in the level or structure of key proteins coded for by specific genes" (National Human Research Institute, "FAQ About Genetic Testing"). Furthermore, there are a number of different characteristics that can be determined from these tests. A couple examples include determining the best type of medicine for a certain person and whether or not a person/child is a carrier of a certain genetic disease, commonly known as newborn screening (National Human Research Institute, "FAQ about Genetic Testing"). The implementation of these tests may permit doctors to predetermine the severity of a disease which in turn provides the ability to implement early treatment. There are other similar technological advances of genetic testing, such as prenatal testing, that involves the screening of unborn babies. According to Jason Kjono, one of the pros of prenatal testing is that early diagnosis on a suspect fetus will allow for ample time to establish the best possible treatment and course of action. Unfortunately, as for the cases where treatment will not be an option, abortion seems to be a common decision (Kjono, Genetic Screening). This example is one that indubitably questions the notion of ethics. Most of the previous facts seem to propose positive aspects of genetic screening but along with abortion there are also many other negative and ethical questions that accompany this new technology. Knowing at an early age of a disease may seem to be useful; however, the stress associated with the knowledge of being inflicted with an incurable illness may be too much to handle.
