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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2008-02 > 1202098608


From: "Tim Janzen" <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] DNA Versus the ______doctors
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 20:16:48 -0800
In-Reply-To: <723748.33554.qm@web36903.mail.mud.yahoo.com>


Dear Ken, John, and others,
I think that those in the medical profession are going to have
positions all over the map on this topic. Some will be afraid that the
results of genetic tests will cause unnecessary anxiety among those who are
tested and shown to be predisposed to certain diseases. I fully admit that
it may do that for at least some people. Others will welcome the
information in that it will hopefully allow the doctors to be better
informed as to which of their patients are at higher risk for mental
illness.
I wouldn't be surprised if the results of genetic tests are
eventually integrated into treatment algorithms for people with mental
illness. For instance, if a patient presents with depression and the
genetic tests indicate a strong predisposition to depression, the doctor may
be more inclined to treat that patient for many years with an antidepressant
rather than just the 6 month minimum that is generally recommended for
patients who present with depression for the first time.
The medical profession will simply need to keep in mind that these
genetic tests will show predispositions to certain diseases, but a
predisposition is frequently not equivalent to being destined to have the
disease. We already welcome information such as cholesterol levels and
blood pressure readings that tell us which patients are predisposed to heart
disease and stroke. We act on those results accordingly.
Patients who have a family history of mental illness or other
conditions already know that they have a predisposition (unless they are
adopted). Thus the genetic results will either reinforce the fact that
specific patients are at increased personal risk or they will show that they
are at lower risk than they might otherwise be. We shouldn't forget that
environment also plays a role in mental health. Drug abuse is one
environmental factor that also predisposes to mental illness.
Sincerely,
Tim Janzen MD

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