FamilyGenetic History
InstitutionAffiliation
FamilyGenetic History
Afamily genetic history is a comprehensive record of healthinformation about a particular individual as well as that of at leastthree generations of his or her relatives (Jarvis, 2016). Such closerelatives have shared genetic patterns which if properly assessed canenable medical personnel to determine if a person is at a risk ofdeveloping a given genetic disorder (Jarvis, 2016).
Inmy efforts to research on family genetic history, I came across ayoung lady known as Mercy who was born in 1992 and has been workingas an accountant in a local hotel. She disclosed to me that heryounger sister called Lucy has lived with cystic fibrosis for overthe last eighteen years since she was born. However, the disorder wasonly detected some two years back during her first year in collegewhen she developed digestion problems. Numerous blood tests showedthat she had the disease. However, medical reports indicated that hergenetic mutations are unidentifiable, explaining why it took long forher condition to be detected. On enquiring about the well-being ofher single parent, I was perplexed to note that her mother has neverbeen diagnosed with the disease despite the fact that it ishereditary. Her mother, known as Christine, was born in 1976 lives ahealthy life and work as a teacher in a primary school. Mercy furtherexplained to me how her mother’s sister, who was born in 1950, diedat the age of three years. When her grandparents sought for themedical cause of her death, it revealed that she died of cysticfibrosis. From such findings, it is valid to argue that despite thefact that Christine is healthy, she might be a carrier of thisdisorder.
BecauseMercy has children and there exists the family history of relativeswith cystic fibrosis, it is advisable that all family members undergothrough screening so as to determine if there are any new infections.Such an initiative will equally help in ensuring that if there arecarriers who can put future generations at risk, they are identifiedso that treatment can commence. With the current improvements indisease management and treatment, early detection will ensure thatthe survival age of the affected individuals is extended.
References
Jarvis,C. (2016). Physical Examination & Health Assessment. Amsterdam:Elsevier Publishers.
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