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In “Building Baby from the Genes Up” Ronald M. Green discusses the ethics of modern genetics. The author states in the article that it is nearly certain that gene technology will be present in the future of humanity. Green begins the article by recounting the story of a couple that wanted to eliminate the high occurrence of breast cancer from their family. To do this, they decided that they would use genetic diagnosis to select only embryos without the gene that may predispose someone to breast cancer.…
Genetic testing can also be performed on parents before they conceive a child to determine whether they are carriers of the disease. This would be especially important if both parents were from high-risk populations to prevent families from going through this horrible experience.…
People strive for progression in order to move forward with the changing times. As scientific technology progresses, people begin to move towards the bright idea of perfection. This could be seen in the concept of designer babies. A designer baby is a baby that has its genes specifically chosen in order to ensure that a certain gene is or is not present. This concept brings about many questions regarding the safety and the ethics of choosing specific traits for a child. The articles “The art of medicine: Designer babies: Choosing our children's genes,” by Bonnie Steinbock and “Children to…
Callaway provides credible sources like Francis Collins the director of the “US National Institutes of Health” (132). Collin became the representative for the Lacks family and fixed the situation the family was in by meeting with them to discuss the opportunities they can take in order to keep their mother’s/grandmother’s information safe and also be able to gain money from the dilemma. Collins being knowledgeable in the situation took proper steps in order to help the Lacks family and readers are able to comprehend Collin’s credibility. Similar to Callaway’s sources, Skloot also provides main sources to back up her cases. For example, Baruch Blumberg a winner of the Nobel Prize for discovering the hepatitis B antigen and creating the hepatitis B blood test was cited to strengthen the argument that money does affect the possibility of research (79). Blumberg’s credibility derives from the 80 years of cell research experience he has and this also influences readers to gain trust in the article. However, besides providing sources that are trusted, both Callaway and Skloot use their main sources to shift to the accusation that when an informed consent is given to a patient then cell research…
Although not unanimously supported, the use of pre-embryonic diagnosis to screen for disease is generally accepted, this however leads to debate about how much freedom people should be allowed to make decisions about their future children. The issues arise as it is difficult to take an objective view on the topic, with many factors affecting peoples’ views. As there is in fact already a process of natural selection, perhaps it would be best to allow this to progress at its natural rate. On the other hand, if it is possible to allow people to decide elements of their child’s future, then who has the right to stop them from doing so? Can it be reasonable for a group of doctors and politicians to decide the fate of a generation? Especially where health matters are concerned.…
Concerning genetic testing in general, a study found that among those who were confirmed to have the Tay-Sachs recessive gene, “about half of the carriers expressed a sense of shocked surprise… having been found to have some imperfection” (Childs). A lack of understanding or a false misconception about the idea of “carrier” status results in discomfort and an unwillingness to be tested; preferring a state of blissful ignorance. Since Tay-Sachs is an autosomal recessive disorder, being a carrier does not mean one has an “imperfection” or one has the potential to develop the disease but that they have the potential to pass on the disease to their children. They also do not express symptoms of the disease-- a common misbelief. And, even despite being a carrier, it does not mean that one’s child would ultimately be a Tay-Sachs child or even a carrier; “if only one parent is a carrier, there is no chance the child will have Tay-Sachs...a 2 in 4 (50%) chance that the child will be a carrier” (“Tay-Sachs Disease”). A diagnosis is not a condemning statement, but makes the prospective parents aware of the “potential” harm that might befall the child, if both happen to be carriers. In addition, Rosner states that “if the purpose of Tay-Sachs screening is to provide eligible clients with genetic counseling about reproductive and mating options, few would argue against screening” (Rosner).The common stigma that genetic screening may be used outside of medical usage breeds the misconception that genetic testing is wholistically bad and may be used to harm the individual. However, Rosner argues, that genetic screening is inherently not bad, but the way we use it. However, on the topic of the latter method, prenatal screening is riddled with controversy, specifically with the ability to pick the reproductive route. Since…
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…
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…
Genetic testing is being used in the medical field to decrease dangers in patients. The negative connotations brought by these examinations might be the reason a person, whom may have had great talents, will lower their capacity to excel. Insurance companies grant pensions and healthcare, consequently if a person were to be diagnosed even with a minimal chance of cancer by…
The uses of genetic counseling now and prospective will have a major impact on modern medicine. GC has the opportunity to open windows for all genetic disorders and lead to a personalized approach on cancer. Genetic counseling has the ability to grow into a common practice that people will go see throughout their lives and especially before having children. With the use of predictive counseling children can be kept from being born with preventable diseases. The fact is that although some worry about the insignificant connotations that accompany genetic counseling, it has the ability to become a great resource for all professionals given more research and development goes into the…
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…
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…
There are a wide variety of genetic disorders that parents face during pregnancy. Parents are faced with the terrifying news of the disorders that doctors diagnosis their unborn children. In some cases, certain disorders are not discovered until after the birth of the new baby. Due to the fact that there are a wide variety of genetic disorders, there are also different ways these disorders can be detected, as well as the different ways they affect the unborn baby, the mother, and the treatment plans. It is extremely important that the pregnant parents begin prenatal care as soon as the pregnancy is discovered. Beginning prenatal care early and continuing prenatal care throughout the course of the pregnancy can help to benefit both the baby…
Genetic conditions affect a significant portion of the general population, although any one condition is relatively rare. People with a genetic condition may require health and social services from a number of professionals, depending on the types of problems caused by the condition. While most of those providing care may focus on a system or type of problem, the genetics nurse is able to address the impact of the condition as a whole and the issues that arise from the potentially inherited nature of the condition(ANA, 2004). Furthermore, the genetics nurse offers holistic family care that addresses the needs of the affected individuals, family members at risk for…
Scientists are capable of understanding the genetic bases of human diseases and non-diseases. They want to marketing embryo selection of genetics to expecting mother’s to prevent future diseases. By manipulating the DNA of an embryo, parents will be able to enhance athletic, cosmetic and cognitive traits; forming an enhanced human species. Altering human genetics commodifies human life and threatens to divide society. Genetic modification of human beings is unacceptable because this would cause unwanted societal pressures, the risk outweighs the benefits and God created us to unique. Creating enhanced humans will disrupt our human community as we know it.…