Why do the children of huntingtons disease sufferers go on to have loads of children dispite having seen the devastating effects it has on their parent?? Why do they refuse to be genetically tested and bury their heads in the sand? (Geberally speaking, not always!)
2007-02-19 10:48:51 · 3 answers · asked by bevalou 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I was actually talking of the children of a Huntington's sufferer who are given the facts and see the evidence in one of their parents suffering yet still go on to have children of their own.I was not suggesting that anyone plays god, just asking why they do it when it can be so devastating.Thanks for your answers.(A psychiatric nurse,for more years than i care to remember who looks after people suffering from Huntington's !!)
2007-02-19 21:38:13 · update #1
It is only relatively recently that genetic testing has been available. It requires a conception to produce material to test for the disease and then it is the parents right to either request not to have the test, or to decide not to have a termination even if the result is positive.
How much should we, either as doctors or parents play god? I am happy, as a doctor, to accept parents wishes, both as to whether they are tested and how they deal with the outcome. I know how I would react, but I have no right to impose my feeling on anyone.
Someone tried that nearly 70 years ago, fortunately their regime failed.
2007-02-19 12:29:46 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Huntington's disease is "gene dominate",meaning that parents would have a 50/50 chance to pass it down to their children.Who knows why any parent would want to pass that nightmare down to their kids etc,genetic testing is available everywhere.But I think it comes down to freedom of choice,and the odds of passing that down.I wouldn't ever consider doing that,but it ends there,I'm not them,and we all have "freedoms",and I would never want to lose my freedom's,because it's so precious.Our militaries fight to defend it,and our government is great,because or it.
2007-02-19 11:23:09 · answer #2 · answered by sharon w 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well i guess its a wrong psychological defensive mechanism. Maybe it has to do with denial.
Its not an easy thing.
2007-02-19 10:52:49 · answer #3 · answered by balbossa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋