To Test or Not To Test: A Guide to Genetic Screening and Risk [Paperback]

Doris Teichler Zallen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0813543789 | ISBN-13: 978-0813543789 | Edition: 1

In this highly readable book, Doris Teichler Zallen provides a template that can guide individuals and families through the decision-making process and offers additional resources where they can gain more information. She shares interviews with genetic specialists, doctors, and researchers, as well as the personal stories of nearly 100 people who have faced genetic-testing decisions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Doris Teichler Zallen provides readers with a refreshingly honest and carefully researched up-to-date discussion about the utility and limitations of predictive genetic testing. Seamlessly woven throughout the book are candid first-person accounts from diverse men and women - individuals who vividly describe both their positive and negative experiences associated with genetic testing - making this a captivating book that broadens our minds while touching our hearts."--Elizabeth M. Petty, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine and Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School<br /><br />"Dr. Zallen has a unique talent for translating complicated scientific and ethical matters around genetic screening into understandable concepts that families and individuals can use to make decisions about risk and testing."-- Abbey S. Meyers, president of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)<br/><br />New genetic tests are being developed and offered at a dizzying pace, considerably outstripping the ability of most practicing physicians, let alone the general public, to understand how best to use them. Doris Teichler Zallen here offers a valuable guide, informed by both a thorough grasp of the underlying genetic science as well as the actual experiences of others who have faced difficult decisions to be tested or not. --Howard Brody, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston

Dr. Zallen has a unique talent for translating complicated scientific and ethical matters around genetic screening into understandable concepts that families and individuals can use to make decisions about risk and testing. --Abbey S. Meyers, president of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

New genetic tests are being developed and offered at a dizzying pace, considerably outstripping the ability of most practicing physicians, let alone the general public, to understand how best to use them. Doris Teichler Zallen here offers a valuable guide, informed by both a thorough grasp of the underlying genetic science as well as the actual experiences of others who have faced difficult decisions to be tested or not. --Howard Brody, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston

Review

"Dr. Zallen has a unique talent for translating complicated scientific and ethical matters around genetic screening into understandable concepts that families and individuals can use to make decisions about risk and testing."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press; 1 edition (November 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813543789
• ISBN-13: 978-0813543789
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #997,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great info for learning about genetic testing, December 1, 2008

By 

Always happy to learn (New York City, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Test or Not To Test: A Guide to Genetic Screening and Risk (Paperback)

Dr. Zallen's latest book continues to impress me with a layman's approach to deciding on the good and bad points of genetic testing. While Dr. Zallen doesn't make the decision for you, she provides lots of clues of what can and can't work for you. I particularly enjoyed the many real-life cases she provides. The book is extremely readable and very informative. I've bought several copies to share with friends who can learn from it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Best Book on the Subject, January 27, 2010

By 

P. Strayer (Oakland CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: To Test or Not To Test: A Guide to Genetic Screening and Risk (Paperback)

As the former editor in chief of DNA.com and the editor who launched two genetics channels on WebMD in 2000-2001 (one for consumers and one for physicians), I can say without a doubt that Virginia Tech professor Doris Zallen is my pick for the best genetic testing expert who can write for consumer audiences. She has been doing this throughout her career in simple, concise, easy to understand books (with no dumbing down). I think of this book as the Consumer Reports guide to genetic testing.

This book provides the fruits of Prof. Zallen's in-depth research interviewing 100 people who have had to make a decision about genetic testing for breast cancer, colon cancer, hemochromatosis or Alzheimer's disease. Half of the people she interviewed had a genetic counselor; half did not. You will find the results quite interesting to read.

There is no other book (and no one else who has done the research) to tell you what REAL people think, do and feel when it comes to making decisions about genetic testing.

Don't make any decisions until you have read this book! You will be glad to have it. I recommend getting a copy for yourself and getting additional copies for your family members. They will thank you for it. And we should all thank Doris for writing this much needed and very useful book.