Genetic testing

I am now being discriminated against because I've been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease.  After a healthy life, I became ill with pancreatitis when I was 53.  A year and a few hospitalizations later, the doctors discovered through DNA testing -- testing they did behind my back and without my consent -- that my chronic pancreatitis was caused by cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease I was born with. 

So, yes, let's discriminate against everyone with genetic diseases, but let's be careful when we advocate that.  Mine wasn't discovered until I was 53, between jobs and uninsured for a very brief period.  You (or your child or grandchild) may have a genetic disease crop up and change your life overnight, and the only option available, as you have suggested in your post, may be the death sentence for a person who committed the "crime" of being born to parents who didn't even know they were sick.  Let's also remember that my particular disease is much more common in babies and small children, so should they receive the same sentence for their "crime"?

There's been some mention of mammograms on this thread.  I decided a couple of years ago that I won't be having any more mammograms, even though they're free in many places.  As I told my doctor, I can "afford" the free mammogram, but I'd never be able to afford the cost of treating any cancer it might disclose, as is the case with one of the people who have been turned away from the cancer center that is the SUBJECT OF THIS THREAD.

I've provided several links:  One to the very subject of this thread, the 60 Minutes segment, and a couple from a site that is run by DOCTORS, people whose job it is to diagnose and treat patients.  What they have to say makes sense to me.  I just wonder how many people reading this thread have actually opened those links and read another point of view (including solutions to some of the problems posters have raised) and how many people are just stuck in "no" mode and aren't interested in hearing another side or helping Americans who desperately need it.

• Did anyone see the 60 Minutes segment... - Marmann
  • you pointed something out... - sadie
    • You brought up a great point. (sm) - Marmann
      • With health insurance, though - A.Nonymous
        • Genetic testing - Marmann
          • A friend was doing very poorly - A.Nonymous
            • Please see message. - Marmann
          • P.S. - Marmann
  • I think it is insane how - Trigger Happy
    • You are absolutely right - A.Nonymous
      • Re: Monetary incentive - Marmann
        • People enter various professions - A.Nonymous
    • some universal health care info from - a Canadian
      • Thank you. (sm) - Marmann
      • Reply to a Canadian - TravelinMT
      • That may be true in Canada, - A few points
        • And there are doctors who want to do the right, moral thing. - Marmann
          • Yes, there will be some people - Trigger Happy
            • The Doctor Will See You—In Three Months - sm
              • Waiting must be something - Hick
              • That doesn't happen around here. - Trigger Happy
                • I'm with you on that one. - Hick
        • thanks for the info - a Canadian
    • Please see message. - Marmann
      • So we all probably should be - A.Nonymous
        • How are insurance companies... - Marmann
          • You made the statement: - A.Nonymous
  • P.S. Here's what physicians think about it: - Marmann

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