Advances in genetic medicine may have implications for how we should think about personal responsibility for health, because they may show how it is possible to exert some control over risk factors that were previously thought as beyond the individual's control. Although we cannot control the genes that we are born with, we can often make decisions concerning genetic testing, disease prevention, and treatment. One might argue, therefore, that individuals should be treated as morally responsible for taking effective action in response to genetic risks factors, since genetically based health risks are similar to other health risks. While this argument makes sense as an abstract, philosophical position, it is not a useful guide to public policy. Given these concerns, there is little society can or should do to encourage individuals to address their genetic risk factors, other than praising those who make prudent choices.

中文翻译：

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遗传学和个人对健康的责任

基因医学的进步可能对我们应该如何考虑个人对健康的责任产生影响，因为它们可能表明如何对以前认为超出个人控制的风险因素施加一些控制。虽然我们无法控制与生俱来的基因，但我们通常可以做出有关基因检测、疾病预防和治疗的决定。因此，有人可能会争辩说，个人应该被视为对采取有效行动应对遗传风险因素的道德责任，因为基于遗传的健康风险与其他健康风险相似。虽然这个论点作为一种抽象的哲学立场是有道理的，但它并不是公共政策的有用指南。鉴于这些担忧，