[technocrat8080]

Thanks for spurring the thought. The main reason I'd like to find out is to avoid bringing a child into the world that might suffer from incurable disease.

Largely agree with your point on preventative actions being the same with or without testing, but there is a tail end that might warrant specialized action.

[bruce511]

Sure, I get that things like Huntingtons would certainly be worth knowing about. But for genetics like that simply looking at your own previous generations would give you the answer there. (And of course, that assumes you have access to that, which clearly not everyone does.)

Having children is obviously a big responsibility, and every parent wants only the best for them. Doing genetic testing can at least feel like you've done your due diligence.

I would point out though that genetic diseases are a tiny tiny fraction of the things that can go wrong. The overwhelming majority of children turn out fine. But some don't. That's life I'm afraid. Genetic testing isn't a guarantee they'll be OK. I'd go so far as to suggest it's basically meaningless in that context (especially if you have access to parents, grandparents etc.)

However you progress, I wish you well.

[technocrat8080]

I sense the undertone here is that there's a cost to genetic testing – did I get that right? Could you expand on that philosophy?