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Genetics and Health

It’s Probably Genetic: A Poll

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on September 20th, 2005

How would you feel if you went to the doctor’s for an ailment like eczema or acne and was told that you probably had a bad case of it because of genetics?

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health

5 opinions for It’s Probably Genetic: A Poll

  • Ruth Schaffer
    Sep 20, 2005 at 5:49 am

    i did vote but in addition, i would also feel bad (for lack of better term) because it sounds like it was something i was DOOMED to have.

  • Lei
    Sep 20, 2005 at 5:52 am

    Ruth, I know what you mean. It’s a continuing struggle to educate people that genes are not always deterministic.

  • Stef
    Sep 20, 2005 at 8:27 am

    i don’t mind someone telling me it’s in my genes. what i hate is when doctors tell me "it’s hormones"! THAT’S their pat answer for everything.

  • Qadira
    Sep 20, 2005 at 10:50 am

    I like to know the root of things. If I can rule in or out things that could contribute to a disease or illness, that really does help deal with it. Both of my younger boys have eczema, and knowing that it’s often seen in kids whose parents have allergies & asthma takes my mind off the "where did this Come from" question. Then I can put my energy towards questions such as "what are each boy’s specific triggers that cause flare-ups".

    I guess whether I would be annoyed by being told it was genetically related, would depend on what additional information I received. Something like eczema can be a severe quality-of-life issue, and if as parents we know that it’s a genetic issue, then we know/are prepared for the possibility of other children also having it.

    if that makes sense.

  • Lei
    Sep 21, 2005 at 1:28 am

    Stef - LOL Hormones?! I forgot you were a teenager. ;)

    Q - Of course, you make sense. I just think that sometimes doctors are too dismissive of patients. To tell someone that it’s genetic can often equate a shrug of the shoulders an a wave of the hand.

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