Genetic testing for overall population health - Assignment Example

Genetic Testing For Overall Population Health Affiliation: Improved healthcare approaches have allowed practitioners to undertake intensive and extensive genetic testing. In essence, the primary goal of genetic testing is to enhance overall population health. However, this undertaking faces diverse and dynamic challenges over time. Changes in genes, chromosomes, and proteins constitute the key focus of genetic testing (Sharpe & Carter, 2006). Focusing on these aspects has its advantages. Molecular, chromosomal, and biochemical genetic tests play an important role in monitoring and ascertaining an individual’s genetic condition, as well as confirming the presence or absence of genetic disorders (Sharpe & Carter, 2006).

On the downside, genetic testing could further complicate people’s lives in regards to their health status. It is likely that genetic tests will lead to the realization of genetic conditions that leave patients worried over their health. Such an observation negates the prospects of genetic testing. On the same note, genetic conditions and/or disorders that previously received no serious attention, or those that are not necessarily threatening, could now become the new focus of healthcare practitioners.

This could translate to increased costs of healthcare, medical research, and development. Moreover, an ethical concern in this matter relates to possible interference with an individual’s natural and biological genome.For a nurse, it is important to create awareness and promote legal and ethical practices as far as genetic testing is concerned. In essence, nursing plays an important role in promoting overall population health (DeNisco & Barker, 2013). In this respect, a nurse with advanced knowledge is a key driver of the prospects of genetic testing.

The idea is to ensure that nurses work under mutual grounds with their patients to ensure proper genetic testing and improved population health.ReferencesDeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2013). Advanced practice nursing: Evolving roles for the transformation of the profession (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.Sharpe, N. F., & Carter, R. F. (2006). Genetic Testing: Care, Consent, and Liability. New York: John Wiley & Sons.