Should adoption information be kept from children?
adopt | ensure | tension | consent | duration
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Do the Math
Do the Math
In the past, the secrecy surrounding closed adoptions was a source of great tension. Today, some states require that adopted children be given their birth family’s medical records. They do not need their birth parents’ consent. Having information about inherited conditions can help adopted children stay healthy for the duration of their lives. For instance, someone with a family history of type 2 diabetes may need to be especially careful about their diet and exercise to ensure they do not develop diabetes themselves.
Option 1:
Option 1:
If a parent has a disorder called Familial Hypercholesterolemia, or FH, there is a 50% chance that their child will also have FH. Angelina was adopted as a young child, and her birth mother has FH. What are the odds that Angelina will have FH?
A. 1/2
B. 1/4
C. 1/5
D. 1/50
Option 2:
Option 2:
Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz want to ensure that their family members have the best possible chances of staying healthy for the duration of their lives. Consequently, they think carefully about health risks. They adopted three siblings, and, at the time, did not consent to have them tested for Familial Hypercholesterolemia, or FH. Since then, they found out that their three children have one birth parent with FH. Now, tension is growing in the Ruiz house. Mr. Ruiz wants to have the children tested, while Mrs. Ruiz wants to avoid an extra trip to the doctor.
If each child has a 50% chance of having FH, what are the odds that at least one of the three children has FH?
Discussion Question:
Discussion Question:
In most cases, medical records cannot be accessed without your consent. But some state laws ensure that adopted children have access to the medical records of their birth parents. Such laws resolved the conflict between the privacy rights of the parent and the information rights of the child, ruling in favor of the child. But some people think these laws do not go far enough. They think every adoptee should be able to learn who their birth parents are. Why might a birth parent want to keep their identity secret? If a birth parent has decided to keep their identity secret, why might they still want their medical records to be private, too?
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