Genetic Disorders: Should You Have a Child

If you have a genetic disorder or disease, you may be faced with the difficult decision of whether or not you should have a child. You would love to have your very own baby, but you would hate for him or her to follow the same fate.

Considerations When Making Your Decision

When making your decision, consider the following information:

• Your child may not develop the same genetic disorder/disease that you have. Just because he or she may inherit your mutated gene, it doesn’t mean the child is destined to have it.
• Knowing that there is a possibility means that you can take precautions against the disease/disorder to possibly ward it off or at least treat it early so it’s not as severe.
• Prenatal genetic testing is available for some disorders that will be able to tell you whether or not the child has inherited it. Then you can take steps right from birth to help your baby stay healthy.
• Don’t forget that it takes two to have a baby. While you may have the gene for a disorder, the baby’s other parent may not, which means that the chances are about half that he or she will end up with the same problems as you.

The decision to have a baby isn’t easy when you fear a genetic disorder. However, consider the real chances of your baby inheriting it from you. To better help you decide, visit a genetics specialist, who can look at your individual situation.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/makelessnoise/171086203/)

August 7th, 2009 by Marcelina Hardy | Posted in Genetics and Health | (0)