the developing fetus does not have any genetic abnormalities. When a parent is aware of a possible genetic abnormality that may result in a physical and/or developmental discrepancy, the family then can have the time to prepare, emotionally, physically, and financially, to properly care for their child and his/her medical needs. In terms of society, a benefit is that it supplies more money into the medical industry as well as the drug companies. Now that may only be considered a benefit of those who have republican views Those with democratic views will see genetic testing as a benefit in being able to create proper assistance to those in need that are not generated for a profit and working towards cure for several of the genetic disorders that are currently not curable. In the video, Making Better Babies: Genetics and Reproduction—A Fred Friendly Seminar (2003) its states that in the future there will be cures for more genetic disorders, like cystic fibrosis, therefore making genetic testing beneficial because the disorder can be treated, making genetic testing not such a stressful situation for perspective parents. In terms of reproductive science, this can give a parent a chance to have a child, who may not be able to conceive naturally. Most of society has come to accept these procedures and welcome them in the medical arena. Next let us focus on the limitations of genetic testing.
Going back to the video, Making Better Babies: Genetics and Reproduction—A Fred Friendly Seminar (2003), it is discussed that the studies on the results of genetic studies during pregnancy are very general, and do not provide detailed information, therefore making it more difficult for a perspective parent and the family to make informative decisions. Kelly (2009) reports that genetic tests are framed as normative reproductive health practices allowing parents to avoid the birth of an affected child through ‘therapeutic abortion’, or to prepare for the child’s birth. While screening technologies are directed towards the population, the rationale for both screening and testing is strongest for parents who are known to be at high risk for an affected pregnancy, including parents who have already experienced an affected pregnancy and/or birth. This decision for a parent can be a very traumatizing situation, if the results state that the child will have a lifelong physical and/or disability. For parents who do chose abortion, this is a very emotional situation that affects both mother and the families. Society has started becoming more accepting about abortions, but there are many groups in society that still believe, regardless of knowing of a disabling condition, one should never have an abortion, as nature will reject the baby on its own. As for the
reproductive
science, the process of in vitro fertilization can cause multiple births, thus maybe causing financial hardship on a family and there are always health risks. With every major decision, especially in the medical field, there are always ethical dilemmas. To begin with, the most well-known ethical dilemma is that the unborn fetus does not get to speak for themselves. The argument is that how can one make a decision for someone else’s life, just because they are not able to at that point? so that it Obviously, on the other hand, is that the parent is doing the unborn fetus justice, does not have to live a life of hardship and scrutiny by society. There are also many animal activist that feel that because it is unethical for these genetic advances to be tested on humans, that they should not be tested on animals either. We have all heard of research on cloning and its many ethical issues, as well. Edwards’s (2007) research states that the moral is that the stages of life from fertilization onwards are not of equal ethical importance, and that, although we may be philosophically bound to embryos by the concept of solidarity and accept that they must receive reasonable protection, they are not yet legal persons. In the end, it is important that all medical professional, researchers, and anyone else involved in genetic testing and reproductive science properly apply ethical practices and always do what is in the patient, subjects, etc… best’s interest. Overall, genetic and reproductive sciences have their share of benefits and limitations. It is beneficially to be aware of any genetic abnormalities a fetus may have, but then there is the dilemma of deciding whether or not to abort the fetus if a serious abnormality is discovered. On the other hand, the medical advancement on in vitro fertilization has helped many woman, who could not naturally, become pregnant, as well as gay and lesbian couples. Ethical dilemmas remain in both sciences and are to be carefully addressed in order to protect all humans, and depending on what one’s beliefs are, animals. In the end, It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.