Genetic testing

No way. There is no way I would want to know what I might get. I am healthy. I dont want to know what I might get.
In my situation, there is no way I want to be the worried well. I cant see any advantages whatsoever. I already eat well and try to look after my health[except I could always do with a bit more exercise].

It might or might not have saved my DD having two boys with x-linked ichthyosis, if we had been genetically tested. It is a fairly rare condition though, so out of all the tests, it may not be among them. I wasn't aware of the condition until DGS 1 was born, and my mother commented on his skin, and that it looked like two of her brothers who had very dry, flaky, scaly skin. Tests were done which resulted in the above diagnosis. I wouldn't want to know if I was predisposed for any future condition though. I wouldn't have any tests for future ailments thank you. I already know where my ancestors were from though. I went to my GP with lumps in the palm of my hand which are Dupuytren's contracture. "We know where you come from", said the doctor. " This is a Viking trait".

I know that I am a carrier for CF and this arose because one of my GSs tested positive for CF as a baby. In fact, thankfully, he does not have it, but they described him as being a "strong carrier" - enough to give a positive CF test. We were all offered testing then - at least those of us either of child-bearing age or with children who might possibly become pregnant. I am a carrier, so is my DD and so is my brother.

As with hildaj's situation it is helpful to know.

I am glad that we knew this as it gave our children the option of having themselves and their OH tested. So far we happily have no GC with CF.

There are some conditions that are genetic that you can minimise the chances of getting by lifestyle changes even though you have the gene.

I already know that I am at higher risk of future dementia from a brain MRI that I had. Not sure if I want to know any more about that! But I do carry the gene for retinitis pigmentosa as well - so I am pretty poor genetic material on the whole!

It is tricky one I can see what luckygirl means with the CF gene. you need both parents to carry it.

Hildajenni Was it those Vikings spending too much time brandishing their axes?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which I have, is said to be most frequent in people (specially women) of Northern European - even Nordic - extraction. The hereditary theory has been queried, but my dad had it in his 70s as well. However, I don't think a gene has been identified....yet.

I really would love to know if we have recent negro ancestry - such things are fascinating to me.

I think that word is considered offensive these days - although I know you didn't mean it to be, Luckygirl

I had thought about this on an earlier post but as my PGF was unknown to all but my Dad's mum, and my dad has died, there will not now be any male DNA to give a clue about his and my possible ancestry. I would love to know though. I think there is certainly some foreign blood somewhere in quite recent generations. The female lines are all strongly English with a dash of Irish.

I'd be very curious from an ancestry point of view - I'd love to confirm I've Viking ancestry for example - but not from a medical point of view. I had the opportunity for genetic screening after my youngest son died but didn't take up the offer. What would you do with the results if it's already too late? My older son didn't want to know, nor did his father so for peace of mind I declined too. It may seem ostrich-like but what you don't know can't hurt you I suppose.

So what is the correct word to describe this particular racial grouping with these specific characteristics?

Scientifically there are usually deemed to be three basic racial groupings: caucasion, mongoloid and negroid. Interbreeding has blurred these groupings. I am using the word in its scientific/genetic meaning.

You didn't use the word 'negroid' in your posts though.

I would only have genetic testing if there was access to genetic counselling in case the tests revealed a high risk of developing a serious condition. I'd also rather not know that I was likely to develop an illness for which there isn't any treatment.

My husband had genetic testing because cerebellar ataxia can be genetic.
When he had it we already had four grandchildren. It wasn't genetic, so the family know that if they get it, it's chance, and not from him.

We did wonder if we should tell our sons if it had been genetic. There are all sorts of connotations for insurance as well as heredity.

Two of my grandchildren have a Danish grandmother who has Dupuytrens, as did her mother. It's usually only females who get it, but there could be four generations with it. The other grandmother has had operations, which did not work very well. She still has problems gripping, and as she uses walking sticks, that is a real difficulty.

Who to tell? - a bit of a problem. One of the CF carriers in my family decided not to tell one of their offspring in spite of the possibility of grandchildren. Their opportunity to get tested was denied to them as they did not know that there was a potential problem. Having got tested I could not understand their choice not to tell those who might be affected.

Sorry this sounds a bit cryptic but I am trying to anonymise this - but I am sure that you know what I mean.

Dupuytren's contracture is predominately a male affliction until about the age of 80 when the incidence is fairly even between male and female. Bill Nighy has it.
I don't think I would like to know what is in store for me unless it was something I could prevent being passed to the next generation.

Strange how it's only women in the Danish family who have it, then.The other grandmother remembers her grandmother having something wrong with her hands. There are/were lots of brothers through those generations, none of whom appear to have had it.

Mrs T had it!