Preview

Personalized Medicine and Genetic Technology

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
858 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Personalized Medicine and Genetic Technology
Personalized Medicine

And

Genetic Technology

Should We or Shouldn’t We?

SCI 115

Some believe that personalized medicine is the wave of the future, while others believe it is tampering with the livelihood of human existence. Is this the key to future cures for disease or is this the door to ending our existence as we know it? Researchers have argued the pros and cons of personalized medicine and genetic testing.

Let’s begin by getting an understanding of personalized medicine and genetic testing. Personalized Medicine has been defined as “medicine tailored to a specific patient’s genetic code”.

Genetic Testing is defined as “the act of taking cells from saliva, blood, or skin and determining the body’s genetic make up from those cells”. (Trish Torrey, About.com Guide May 2010) Business Wire article (Feb 2010) describes personalized medicine as individualized treatment to match the right drug to the right patient and, in some cases, even to design the appropriate treatment for a patient according to his/her genotype.

Personalized medicine is used in two aspects of human medicine which are genetic testing for potential abnormalities and tailoring treatment. (Trish Torrey, About.com Guide May 2010)

Dr. Raymond DuBois at M. D. Anderson’s Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy believes that personalized medicine requires more than recording a patient’s health history. It requires sequencing DNA to investigate whether and individual has a certain disease and how that person will respond to medication. (Meredith Simons Washington Bureau Nov 2009)

Once a test is developed which determines abnormalities in human genes, this is when treatments can be developed. Once treatments are developed for a particular abnormality it will be used to treat all with the same genetic abnormality. (Trish Torrey, About.com Guide May 2010)
When it comes to the reliability of genetic testing


References: Gordon, Larry. “UC Berkeley’s plan to test DNA sparks debate; Privacy activists criticize campus’ offer to analyze gene of upcoming students..” Los Angeles Times. 01 Jun 2010 AA1. Medicine: Research brings patients better, faster cancer treatments. Houston Chronicle. 15 Nov. 2009: 1. eLibrary. Web. 03 Aug. 2010. “Research and Markets: Personalized Medicine – Scientific and Commercial Aspects.” Business Wire. 08 Jul. 2010:n/a S. Boyd McClatchy Newspapers. “Genome advances promise personalized medical treatment.” McClatchy – Tribune News Service. 18 Nov. 2009 Trisha Torrey. About.com Guide “The Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing” 19 May 2010. Trisha Torrey. About.com Guide. “ An Overview of Genetic Testing and Personalized Medicine. 17 May 2010.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Alexander Toczko Summary
    • 367 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Alexander Toczko Summary

    Jeanette Toczko (96) and her husband Alexander Toczko (95) died almost simultaneously, both of them died each other holding hands in bed.…

    • 367 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Monsanto Harvest with Fear
    • 5210 Words
    • 21 Pages

    Monsanto Harvest with Fear

    Einsiedel, E., & Timmermans, F. (2005). Cross Over: Genomics in the Public Arena.Calgary, AB: University of Calgary Press.…

    • 5210 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    4 Ways Gene Patent Ruling Affects You
    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages

    4 Ways Gene Patent Ruling Affects You

    This article is completely relevant to society. Women everywhere want to get tested for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The possibility of misdiagnosis is too high with only one possible test. Patients end up spending way more than they should for a test that often is not covered by insurance. Gene patenting can also greatly affect us in the long run if more and more genes become patented. It limits the ability for other scientists to research and learn more about the genes and also means we can end up overpaying for every type of test in the future.…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Human Genetic Engineering
    • 255 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Human Genetic Engineering

    How much of genetic information can the parents or relatives access raises a concern that it might result in an excessive use of reprogenetics. Furthermore, if scientists allow DNA screening for parents to avoid passing genetic diseases to their children, that might lead to more designer babies. Human genetic engineering is new and current field that has its pros and cons. Therefore, we should be more concerned about setting up the limits of how much access the public and scientists can have on genetic information, and taking in consideration the ethical issues behind…

    • 255 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Prenatal Testing
    • 1673 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Pros And Cons Of Prenatal Testing

    This final paper will discuss the ongoing debate of genetic/prenatal testing. Procedures for genetic/prenatal testing have been available since the early 1970's (Press, 2008, pp. 73-78). Genetic testing identifies abnormalities or changes in the chromosomes and genes. This type of testing is used to confirm or deny a suspected genetic condition or used to predict a person's chances of developing or passing on a certain disorder (Grant, 2000). Once the woman wants to go ahead with the genetic testing, a primary care doctor or genetic specialist places an order for the test. Genetic testing is often done as part of a genetic consultation (Press, 2008, pp. 73-78). It is very important that the patient knows every aspect of the procedure including…

    • 1673 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare And Contrast Essay On Crichton Vs Calfee
    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Essay On Crichton Vs Calfee

    Crichton says there will be a bill to try and make the full benefit of the decoded genome available to us all and believes that it will return us to fuel innovation and common genetic heritage (442). Calfee says the patients and the research process are the beneficiaries because gene patents are working the way they are supposed to be and have been working for a couple of centuries and more (445). One way or another patenting genes affect our privates human genes we are born with, the money it will cost to have tests done on that specific gene if patented, and the scope of which we can do research to help find the best possible solutions, the question is, is gene patenting for the greater good of human beings or are we so money hungry we would rather be blind to…

    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Testing for Huntington's Disease
    • 3504 Words
    • 15 Pages

    The Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Testing for Huntington's Disease

    With the advent of genetic testing and predictive screening exams, scientific technology has made it possible for patients to peer into their futures. These advances place physicians and researchers in a tough position. Disclosure of this genetic information places patients at risk for discrimination and loss of healthcare benefits. However, this information may also help patients plan future relationships and goals. Each child of a patient with HD has a 50% chance of inheriting the abnormal gene and thus developing HD (Terrenoire, 1992).…

    • 3504 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testing
    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testing

    Since the test involves taking only a small blood sample, where a person’s DNA can be found, these tests have a minimal health risk. Genetic testing was initially used in pregnancies to test for diseases like Down's Syndrome and other genetic disorders (“What are the...”). However, thanks to more recent improvements, genetic testing has come to display several weaknesses and strengths. The genes that can be obtained from infants can notify parents of possible physical deficiencies, while others may show physical advantages (Stein).…

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Persuasive Essay On Healthy People 2020
    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Persuasive Essay On Healthy People 2020

    From a patient’s perspective, people tend to see genetic information as more definitive, in the sense that 'you cannot change your genes' and that 'genes tell all about your future.’ Such genetic determinism is an oversimplification and does not take into account the nature of biologic pathways. From a provider’s perspective, genomics presents challenges with respect to ethical and professional responsibilities, including the appropriate use of genomic information in the health care setting. I believe that there should be an identification of provider education programs that increase use of appropriate screening, counseling and evidence-based genetic tests. By increasing the effectiveness of genomic testing, it will help dissolve the negative association and further increase the proportion of people who are willing to receive genetic…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testing
    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testing

    Genetic testing, aka DNA testing, allows doctors to check if there are any possibilities to inherit diseases, and can also be used to determine a person's ancestry or biological relationship between people. It is important to understand the background and implications behind genetic testing as testing may be able to identify the odds of have of having a child with a genetic disease, but it can also result in miscarriage. The test often cannot determine if the child will show symptoms of a disease, how severe the symptoms will be, or whether the disease will progress over time. Another thing to take into consideration is the absence of treatment strategies…

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

    Biology
    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Biology

    Genetic testing can cause either a feeling of relief or anxiety, depending on the outcome of the test results. Ultimately, testing provides individuals with an opportunity to seek genetic counselling so that the risk of inheriting a genetic disease may be reduced. Testing can lessen the anxiety of not knowing the possibility of developing a disease and provide a tremendous sense of relief once a definitive test result is given. An individual who chooses to undergo testing has the opportunity to seek medical help, prepare for, and possibly help prevent, a genetically caused condition. Testing can help people to make more informed decisions about their future.…

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

    Understanding the History of Healthcare
    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Understanding the History of Healthcare

    Health Care has risen from so many different facets, that it is difficult to identify where the next evolution may be. With earlier detection, several disease processes' are coming under control. Nuclear Medicine is in development of pre-cancer tracer's, CAT scan has increased spatial and temporal resolution to a point where we are seeing anatomy never before visualized before. The advances in genetic research are opening a tremendous amount of avenues.…

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Personalized Medicine
    • 1145 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Personalized Medicine

    n a way, personalized medicine has been around for as long as people have been practicing medicine. In fact, Hippocrates, Greek physician and so-called "Father of Western Medicine" who practiced some 2,500 years ago, was himself a proponent of personalized medicine (Sykiotis et al., 2005). For example, in one of his over 70 works of ideas and teachings, Hippocrates wrote about the individuality of disease and the necessity of giving "different [drugs] to different patients, for the sweet ones do not benefit everyone, nor do the astringent ones, nor are all the patients able to drink the same things."…

    • 1145 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Should the Animal Be Used for Scientific Research
    • 268 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Should the Animal Be Used for Scientific Research

    Let us take the medicine as an example. When doctors learn about a new kind of viruses, they usually make tests to find out how virus affects on animals; Mice are used in most of cases. Doctors then have different experiments to cure animals. The final result is new kind of medicines, which can be used to save human life when they affect this virus.…

    • 268 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The 21st Century
    • 874 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The 21st Century

    Changes in medical education and technology in the 21st century will aid in discovering new medications for unsolved diseases in the 19th century. The advance in medical technology brings better medical care and treatment, and people's life expectancy is longer. Let us take genetics as an example of the changes in the 21st century. There are pharmaceutical products that come from the massive genetic research occurring around the world today. In ten years, we will have new ways to treat many of our illnesses - from allergies to AIDS. We might see the discovery of new methods of treatment for various types of cancer, for multiple…

    • 874 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics