Preview

Ethical Issues in Medical Genetics

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1718 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Ethical Issues in Medical Genetics
WHO/HGN/ETH/00.4

Review of Ethical Issues in Medical Genetics
Report of Consultants to WHO Professors D.C. Wertz, J.C. Fletcher, K. Berg

World Health Organization Human Genetics Programme

Human Genetics Programme Management of Noncommunicable Diseases World Health Organization

WHO/HGN/ETH/00.4

Review of Ethical Issues in Medical Genetics
Report of Consultants to WHO Professors D.C. Wertz, J.C. Fletcher, K. Berg

Copyright © WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2003 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from Marketing and Dissemination, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel: +41 22 791 2476; fax: +41 22 791 4857; email: bookorders@who.int). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to Publications, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; email: permissions@who.int). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. The World Health Organization does not warrant that the information contained in this publication is complete and correct and shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of its use.

Table of contents
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Biomedical Ethics Philosophy 3514
    • 2183 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Biomedical Ethics Philosophy 3514

    In discussing the difficult subject of biomedical ethics, there are different scenarios that play out differently because of people’s views about morality. Consider the scenario of an eighty year-old man whom we will call Mr. Simpson. Years of getting the flu with complications has left Mr. Simpson’s lungs very weak and unable to take another year of the flu. In fact another year of the flu will likely kill him. He does not want the flu shot because he sincerely believes that the actual flu shot will give him the flu. With further research, the doctor and the family find that Mr. Simpson will accept an immune boosting shot only. If the physician lies to Mr. Simpson about the injection then he will accept it. What it all boils down to is, if the physician tells the truth, then Mr. Simpson will refuse the flu shot, likely contract the flu, and possibly die. On the other hand, if the physician lies to Mr. Simpson, then he will accept the flu shot and potentially be okay for the next flu season. The dilemma lies in what the physician should do; lie to the patient or be truthful.…

    • 2183 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ethical Issues in Molecular and Behavioral Genetic Research
    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ethical Issues in Molecular and Behavioral Genetic Research

    That is the point that behavioral studies are trying to prove. People are genetically tested for biological and psychological reasons every day. In order to conduct these studies there are several rules one must follow. Genetic testing and results must be…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ethical Dilemmas In Medical Research
    • 82 Words
    • 1 Page

    Ethical Dilemmas In Medical Research

    One of todays biggest ethical dilemmas can be found in the Medical field. We all turn our heads away and cringe when we hear the term "human test subjects", as the past has been dark and far from any morality in this domain; yet we do not cease to use the findings of the sadistic experiments. Researchers now use mice and other animals which can show the effects a(n) medication/evolution/disease may have on humans. But I find testing on clueless animals immoral.…

    • 82 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Questions on the Ethicality of Using Genetic Screening as a Tool in Conception
    • 2479 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Questions on the Ethicality of Using Genetic Screening as a Tool in Conception

    2. Issues in Science and Technology Fall 2012, v29 i1, p77(11), This article is basically written to examine the ethical issues in genetic…

    • 2479 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Clinician Ethical Dilemmas
    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Clinician Ethical Dilemmas

    Clinicians are expected to provide medical services to help others. However, there is a debate about whether clinicians should treat friends and family, members also known as non-patients. “Treatment of non-patients is widespread, with some studies reporting nearly 100 percent of physicians engaging in this practice” (Latessa & Ray, 2005, p.42). A case was presented where a physician assistant (PA Brian) was asked to treat his supervising physician (Dr.Yarnell) for different medical conditions while prescribing multiple controlled substances. Legal standards provide vague ethical guidance regarding this issue and leave a lot of blank spaces open for clinician interpretation. In Dr.Yarnell and PA Brian’s case there were numerous ethical dilemmas that can be examined under the four ethical principles of medicine: beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice.…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice - 1
    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice - 1

    Pearlman, R.A. (2010). Ethics committees and ethics consultation. University of Washington School of Medicine. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from, http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/ethics.html…

    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Ethical Issues in Healthcare
    • 1478 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Ethical Issues in Healthcare

    Healthcare ethics involves making well researched and considerate decisions about medical treatments, while taking into consideration a patient 's beliefs and wishes regarding all aspects of their health. The healthcare industry, above any other, has a high regard for the issues surrounding the welfare of their clientele: their patients. This paper will focus on HIPPA, confidentiality, the efficiency and cost of information systems and doctor-patient relationship.…

    • 1478 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethical Issues In Health Care
    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ethical Issues In Health Care

    Healthcare is highly sensitive and influenced by the established principles of a strict code of conduct. The established principles contribute significantly in the mode of operations and service delivery. Also, healthcare is associated with a wide range of tasks as well as decision-making procedures that are affiliated to the provided protocols. The US health care sector adopted principles that enable execution of tasks safeguards the interests the patients’ through provision of top quality services. Notably, the healthcare sector is associated with both expensive research and experiments that are geared towards improving the service delivery. However, the research and experiment are faced with ethical issues or dilemmas…

    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Eugenics Ethical Issues
    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Eugenics Ethical Issues

    I believe that the Eugenics program had many issues, both technical and ethical. The basis of the Eugenics program - that an individual’s life can be seen as “a burden” and not worth society’s resources - brings up multiple moral arguments. Who is the judge of whether a life is more valuable than another? Does this not give government workers and referrers the jurisdiction to play God? Inherently, this program had a multitude of factors that were not taken into account. One issue is the measurements used to quantify whether a person should have the right to reproduce or not. The qualifications were too unclear, and a range of reasons were used, from IQ tests, mental illness, handicaps, and even sexual promiscuity. Moreover, while the program was active, the state did not clarify who should make the final decisions. Unlike most states, in which medical professionals mainly acted as the final word, North Carolina allowed social workers, medical professionals, teachers, and even neighbors to have a say in who could possibly be sterilized. Many of these individuals reported unsuspecting…

    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Communicable Disease Epidemiology
    • 1089 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Communicable Disease Epidemiology

    World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). The determinants of health. Retrieved December 21, 2014, from http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/…

    • 1089 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Medical Ethics
    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Medical Ethics

    The discussion on Patrick Dismuke's condition concentrated on his incapability to improve. After reviewing his symptoms and considering possible scenarios resulting from certain kinds of treatment, such as the tube that delivered nutrients into his veins that "broke the barrier between blood and air" and became "a bacteria-laden Trojan horse, opening the door to infection", we attempted to come to a consensus on what would constitute a quality life, as deliberated among the committee. We took into consideration that after every kind of surgery, his status would be temporarily improved but ultimately decline in keeping with his body's proclivity. We acknowledged that the idea of a successful stomach transplant was remote since, as described, it had only been performed in Russia and a few times in Canada on animals; in addition, Patrick was short of being physically capable in dealing with this sort of procedure.…

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Argumentative Essay On Eugenics
    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Argumentative Essay On Eugenics

    As research continues to uncover new disease-causing mutations, the prospect of stopping the transmission of heritable diseases increases. With the use of modern technology, expecting parents can now be prescreened in order to determine their carrier status for certain diseases. Parents who choose to use in vitro fertilization are able to choose embryos that are free of disease due to preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Additionally, parents can be provided with information on their unborn child with the use of prenatal genetic testing. Some individuals view modern genetic technology as eugenic; however, this biggest difference between eugenics now and eugenics during the 1900s is consent. Today individuals pursue genetic testing by choice and policies on ethics and consent prevent reoccurrences of the immoral endeavors within the field of…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Bio-Ethical Essay - Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis
    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bio-Ethical Essay - Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis

    1. No, I would not do pre-implantation genetic diagnosis if money was no object. I do not think that it is right to go through the genetic information of an embryo and decide what you want and what you do not want. I think that all physical attributes such as height, hair color, and eye color, should be decided naturally. As well as the physical attributes, I think genetic disorders and hereditary diseases should be left alone. If they were in the genetic makeup of the human embryo, then God has a reason for them to be there. God may want that human to grow up to face the disease, then survive, telling an inspiring story about how they overcame that struggle. It may also be there for God to show his mercy. The child may have a potentially high risk of a particular disease by a certain age, but end up not getting the disease at all. As well as some diseases and disorders being part of God’s will, I also think that it is becoming partly racist. People are wanting to choose what they think is ‘perfect’ for their child, when in all reality it may be no where close. Society’s definition of ‘perfect’ may not be healthy for a child. Eventually, parents would decide to have a ‘regular’ and ‘perfect’ child just like the rest of our society, making the world have no variety in human looks. Just as Hitler had, some might look at pre-implantation genetic diagnosis as singling out the ‘perfect race’, or as Hitler said, the Aryan Race. After a while, parents might end up choosing ultimately everything they want to have in their child, expelling any imperfections, flaws, disorders, or diseases. Then, if one disease happens to pass by the genetic diagnosis, the child might be criticized and cast out from our society. This could possibly lead to immense and massive racism.…

    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Eugenics: Breeding and Improving Human Genetics
    • 1705 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Eugenics: Breeding and Improving Human Genetics

    I support the guidelines outlined by Kitcher for the use of genetic information because of their responsible and ethical nature. I believe that future generations will benefit as a direct consequence of these guidelines. I shall begin by defining eugenics as the study of human genetics to improve inherited characteristics of the human race by the means of controlled selective breeding.…

    • 1705 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Diversity Concerns in Public Health
    • 3270 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Diversity Concerns in Public Health

    Woodward, D. et al. (2010). A framework for analysis and action. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2010;…

    • 3270 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics