Thu 7 Apr 2005
Genetic Testing for Adoptees?
Posted by Kym under Adoption
I don’t have any medical history information on my kids. For a control freak, dealing with the lack of information and history in international adoption can be difficult. I just want to know do we need to worry about breast cancer? Are there other acute illnesses we should be on the look out for? This article got me thinking about it. The tests are about $400. Sounds like money well spent to me. It’s like having a little bit of additional insurance.
What about you other adoptive parents? Is this something you would “consider”? What are your thoughts on it?
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April 7th, 2005 at 7:59 am
I’m not a parent, but I think it is too early for this “science” as the article points out.
Wait until your kids are 18 and see where the science is at that point. Invest the $400 today and give them that money at 18 and let them decide to apply it to genetic testing or college.
Let them decide! That’s what I’d do
April 7th, 2005 at 8:23 am
I agree with the above poster, I think it’s seriously too early for genetic testing to be of much help.
That said, if it was reliable I think my husband would do it (his biological father is completely out of the picture) just to know what his risks are. So I don’t think you are wrong to want to know, I just don’t think the results would be accurate or much help at this stage (of genetic testing).
April 7th, 2005 at 9:24 am
I have no medical history on me. It’s a lot easier when you go to a new doctor and you can just put “N/A” on all those pesky family history questions.
April 7th, 2005 at 9:31 am
I have no paternal medical history. We have a contact number but he hasn’t ever responded to my questions. The unknown is hard, sometimes, but I’d wait on the genetic testing. It will be more reliable in ten or fifteen years and I’m not sure you’d get any information that you could use preventatively at this age. It would just be one more thing that would make you worry, and you can’t control it. I know that you loooove control!
April 7th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
I think it’s a little premature. I think if something starts happening (kid gets sick and regular tests don’t point up a cause) THEN talk to the doctor and consider their advice, they will know better than MSNBC if a given test is right for your case.
I know just enough about my kids biological background to be afraid, very afraid. So I’m like an ostrich about this…
April 7th, 2005 at 9:01 pm
I’ll be the odd man out (once again) here. We’re seriously looking into Katie (who is our bioological child) genetically tested to see if it can help tell us what the heck is going on with her. So, right now I’m of the “if you can afford the money (and I’m fairly sure you can
) go for it” mentality.
I know there’s another company out there that for some very reasonable rate ($275ish) screens for several metabolic disorders. I’m fairly sure there was an article in (I think) American Baby about this. It made some interesting points on how some states screen for some things at birth versus what others screen for. This company basically offers all of the various states tests combined into one. (Not that your 2 youngest children were born in the US or screened at birth, but still it might be a slighly cheaper, less invasive idea.)
April 8th, 2005 at 5:38 am
Hey, I think if it’s reliable do it. I know, for example that heart disease is HUGE in my family. It’s nice to know that and be able to take precautionary steps in my life to try to avoid it or help my body fight it.