Question # 5 -- MSJA Genetics

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Subject: Question # 5

Author:
Liz

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Date Posted: 11:26:15 12/11/03 Thu
In reply to: Sister Karen 's message, "Case Study: A Daughter's Tale" on 14:19:08 11/03/03 Mon

Janet expresses feelings of anger toward her deceased mother for passing along the gene. Genetic counseling, I feel, should address these personal issues of guilt and anger. I think a person who has just been informed of the grave situation of having inherited the APOE marker gene for Alzheimer's should be able to get all the help they can from the genetic counselors (ie the scientific aspects as well as the personal aspects).
Some could argue that genetic counseling should just deal with the scientific side of the problem, and leave the personal issues to psychiatrists, family members and friends. They could argue that there is a place for everything, and genetics and the personal issues that come along with that should be kept seperate.
I would say, though, that it cannot hurt to have a genetic counselor try to offer some pieces of advice to Janet and her family. After all, they have much experience in this particular area and have seen how people deal with things differently.
Medical professionals should deal with patients' feelings of guilt and anger. It is inevitable that the patient will have these feelings at some point or another. Doctors should make sure that the patient is surrounded by family and friends and is receiving the support he or she needs to get through it. They should also let the patient know that everything that can be done to help him or her is being done.

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Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
Re: Question # 5	Megan	20:57:12 12/11/03 Thu