Ethical Issues In Predictive Genetic Testing
explanatory Essay
832 words
Genetic Testing Genetic testing is defined as examining ones DNA. This test can reveal changes or anomalies that may cause illness or disease; this is according to the Mayo Clinic. Genetic testing has been around for quite some time although it’s only been approved for the testing of certain diseases. There are three forms of genetic testing, carrier, diagnostic and genetic testing. According to the Journal of Medical Ethics, diagnostic testing is looking into whether there’s a disease in the body/embryo and how far the disease has progressed. This diagnostic process is usually done in embryos and babies. The way we know about a certain gene or trait that would adversely affect the baby is by using the carrier test. There’s also predictive …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic testing has been around for quite some time, although it's only been approved for the testing of certain diseases.
- Explains that genetic testing is different from testing for other disorders. genetic testing can be crucial in decisions taken by an individual especially if the test was accurate about any disease.
- Explains that the journal of medical ethics/ genetic testing denotes that there should be a professional to help the patient through the process of acceptance and understanding on the disease.
- Explains that utilitarians believe moral decisions should be decided by calculating a burden/benefit ratio, which promotes the good of society over that of individual.
- Explains the justice principle within the realm of genetic testing. the doctor is always looking for the best way to help patients and inform them of various procedures or treatments available.
Genetic information is private and is directly related to the individual’s identity”. Genetic testing can be crucial in decisions taken by an individual especially if the test was accurate about any disease, directly affecting any family members including brother, sister or even extended family. For example, when a person gets a genetic test, the very first test will be a chromosomal test. This test will look at he structure of the chromosomes, it will also look at the length, the way they are arranged within the nucleus and finally if it is is in it’s proper location. A chromosomal test would be used to determine if a newborn has Down syndrome, since an extra chromosome is present, this test would identify the …show more content…
First, “ Utilitarians believe moral decisions should be decided by calculating a burden/benefit ratio from a societal viewpoint. This perspective promotes the good of society over that of individual”(Fulda, Lykens). If a patient gets genetically tested, the utilitarian perspective says that we should take into account the multiple people involved with the patient, thus letting them know about the results of the test. When family is told about certain risks that have been identified through genetic testing, there are many aspects that could be mitigated better. The Journal of Medical Ethics also expresses that when family members are told about genetic testing and how they are affected, the intensity of pain is minimized through medical intervention. Utilitarian view also backs up the idea that when individuals are tested, it gives them a way to decide and make decisions on issues that affects their family. It also can help two people on bringing a child to the world that could potentially ruin them in a financial sense since money would need to be allocated for the child’s care. This view allows for more testing on chronic diseases and potentially fatal
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- The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testingexplanatory essayGenetic testing is a class of medical testing that recognize changes in chromosomes, gene or proteins. This type of test look for abnormalities in DNA or RNA that is collected from a person’s blood, body fluids or tissues. Genetic testing scans the genes looking for large or small change that occur to gene. These changes to the genes could have missing or addition parts that could change the chemical base within the DNA strand. Abnormal genes could be the result of other mistakes like the genes are too active, they are turned off, or those that are lost entirely. Having abnormal results on genetic testing could mean that a person is prone in having a genetic disorder. There are different types of genetic testing for adults and embryos that could help in identifying
In this essay, the author
- Explains that molecular genetic testing (gene tests) focuses on single genes or short lengths of dna collected from an individual’s blood or body fluids to recognize any large changes in genes that have a deletion or section added to it.
- Explains that chromosomal tests scan a person's genome, including their structure, number, and arrangement.
- Explains that karyotype is just an illustration of an individual’s chromosome from the biggest to the smallest.
- Explains that fish analysis uses fluorescent dna probes to recognize certain areas on chromosomes. this test can be used to find small mistakes that was overlooked by the karyotype test.
- Explains that dna sequencing is used to figure out the right sequences of bases (nucleotides c, a, t, and g) in the gene of the person being tested.
- Explains that pre-implantation testing is used on embryos. it detects genetic abnormalities in eggs created by in-vitro fertilization.
- Explains that prenatal testing is used to recognize changes in a baby's genes before birth. if it is detected that the baby will have an increased risk for genetic or chromosomal disorder, this test will be offered during the pregnancy.
- Explains that analytical validity refers to how well the experiment foretells the presence or absence of a certain gene or genetic mistake.
- Explains that clinical validity refers to how well the genetic variant being reviewed is linked to the presence, absence, or risk of a certain disease.
- Explains that genetic testing is a class of medical testing that recognizes changes in chromosomes, gene or proteins.
- Explains that predictive testing is used to identify genetic mutations linked with disorder that may show up after birth and later in life. the reliability of genetic testing results is valid if it can provide an accurate result.
- Explains that clinical utility refers to whether the experiment can furnish data about diagnosis, treatment, management, or prevention of a disease.
1321 wordsRead More - The Pros And Cons Of Prenatal Genetic Testingexplanatory essayPrenatal genetic testing is a controversial issue in early development. With more genes being identity and linked to particular disorders, more people are seeking more prenatal genetic testing. As technology develops to advance these tests and to make new tests, advantages and disadvantages become apparent. This comes with a more stable feeling of knowing the child’s health and the ability to catch any warning signs of major diseases or disorders early on, but this also can bring a sense of anxiety and worry for the soon-to-be parents. There is also an ethical dilemma with genetic testing.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that prenatal genetic testing is a controversial issue in early development, with more genes being identity and linked to particular disorders. as technology develops, advantages and disadvantages become apparent.
- Explains the benefits of prenatal genetic testing, such as parental reassurance with negative results and awareness.
- Explains that prenatal genetic testing is the best way to confirm genetic disease diagnostic. it can prepare parents to know what to expect and how to treat the disease or disorder.
- Opines that prenatal genetic testing can bring unnecessary stress and anxiety to the soon-to-be parents.
- Explains that gene therapy can modify genes in a child to make him or her better in the aspects of health, intelligence, etc.
- Opines that the benefits of knowing what potential disease if any and early treatment outweigh the risks of anxiety and worry.
729 wordsRead More - Genetic testing is the testing of DNA in a patient’s blood in order to detect genetic disorders. This can be used to predict the disease risk of an embryo, an unborn infant, or a fully grown patient, including the individual’s risk of passing on a genetic disorder to offspring (National Institute of Health [NIH], 2013). To test adult patients, a blood sample is first taken from the patient and the DNA ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic testing is used to determine the risk of a patient or patient's offspring developing genetic diseases.
- Opines that patients deserve the right to opt for genetic testing on their own dna, although they are accepting a great risk by doing so.
- Explains that genetic testing is the testing of dna in a patient’s blood in order to detect genetic disorders.
- Explains that genetic testing is accurate, as long as the genetic origin of the tested disease is known, but their reliability is harmed by the fact that the results determine probability of diseases occurring.
- Explains huntington's disease, which causes involuntary spasms and contractions, and a decline of coordination and cognitive ability. the disease is autosomal dominant, with its penetrance dependent on how many cag repeats are present in the htt gene.
- Opines that genetic testing is a right and risk for patients who consider it. patients deserve access to the information that biologically defines them, but they need to be cautious with the retrieval and use of this information.
- Argues that the information in an individual's dna is unique to that person and has an influence on every part of that individual’s life. the patient should have every right to be tested for genetic diseases when possible.
- Opines that an individual should have complete control over one’s genetic information, but this level of control isn’t always possible. 23andme's legal agreements contain legal jargon, yet lack any clear statement that the information sent to them will not be shared with a third party.
- Opines that genetic information that reveals a high risk of developing genetic disease may be provided to employers and insurers who may turn down interviews or increase insurance premiums based on risks.
- Explains that genetic information can fall into the wrong hands, and even the patients themselves may be unable to correctly handle it. patients receiving bad news about genetic disorder likelihood often cannot handle the information.
- Opines that the risks of third-party abuse and first-parties overreaction to genetic testing are numerous, but even these risks are not sufficient to make it unethical.
- Explains that personal genomics services: whose genomes? in the european journal of human genetics.
- Cites the national institute of health's website for htt huntingtin.
- Explains mahdieh, rabbani, and the national institute of health's genetic testing.
1085 wordsRead More - Argumentative Essay: Is Gene Testing Ethical?opinion essayIs Gene Testing Ethical? Gene testing is the practice of testing individuals who show no symptoms to determine whether they carry genes that could cause them or their children to develop certain genetic diseases later in life. Gene screening is a very controversial topic because of the risks that come with it. Would you want to know if you’ll develop a life threatening disease later in life? Many individuals would want to know this, but some would not.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that gene testing is the practice of testing individuals who show no symptoms to determine whether they carry genes that could cause them or their children to develop certain genetic diseases later in life.
- Opines that everyone has the right to make this decision when having children. some people believe that god has a plan for everyone and they don't want to know.
- Opines that gene testing is a decision that the patient and doctor have to agree on.
321 wordsRead More - What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Your DNAnarrative essayFew questions come up when the topic of genetic testing is brought up. The question that probably comes up the most is; what exactly is genetic testing or screening? Genetic testing or screening is when doctors do a dna test and look for mutations in the genes. Then they try and figure out what the mutations could do in the future. Why would people want to get their genes tested? Genetic testing opens the possibilities of people knowing the future of themselves and their children. It also gives people opportunities to find out if they have a chance of passing a disease or disability on to future generations. Another common question is who can get...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic testing has brought many new opportunities in the medical world, but incidental findings can cause controversy between doctors and patients.
- Explains that genetic testing or screening is when doctors do a dna test and look for mutations in the genes.
- Opines that people would like to know their genetic future, and if they knew about an incidental finding, they could find a cure or fix it by themselves.
- Opines that doctors shouldn't tell their patients about incidental findings because mutations in genomes are only possibilities.
- Opines that doctors should be able to withhold information from incidental findings if it is not relevant to what the patient is looking for.
- Opines that genetic testing can help broaden the medical field of gene mutations, and give people a grasp of their future.
- Describes rochman's "the dna dilemma: a test that could change your life." time.
- Narrates rochman's "what your doctor isn't telling you about your dna."
- Asks, “what is the cost of genetic testing, and how long does it take to get the results?”
1311 wordsRead More - The Disadvantages of Genetic Testing on Children Discussed in Dena Davis' Book Genetic Dilemmasanalytical essayIn chapter four of her book Genetic Dilemmas, Dena Davis asserts that it is unethical for parents to subject their children to genetic testing for the markers of adult-onset genetic diseases because it places an unfair constraint on a child’s right to an open future. It both removes the child’s ability to choose whether to be tested as an adult and has the potential to negatively alter the overall trajectory of their lives. While the current consensus amongst medical professionals is that such testing should be prohibited (Davis, _____), many concerned parents correctly point out that discouraging such testing creates a conflict of interests between the “beneficence model of patient care and the rights of parents to their own autonomy” (Davis, 75). The availability of commercial online and mail-order genetic testing kits further exacerbates this dilemma by enabling these dissenting parents to obtain test results for their children. Davis ultimately makes a convincing argument that “parental requests for genetic information about their children, when they have no immediate relevance to medical intervention or disease prevention, should generally be resisted” (Davis, 87). This paper seeks to demonstrate that in the case of testing for incurable, late onset genetic diseases, protecting the rights and interests of the child should take precedence over parental autonomy, and that there is a marked need for tighter regulation of commercial genetic testing in order to protect these rights.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how dena davis asserts that it is unethical for parents to subject their children to genetic testing for adult-onset genetic diseases because it places an unfair constraint on a child's right to an open future.
- Explains that davis acknowledges that there is a lack of consensus regarding the ethical permissibility of testing. test results will allow parents to exercise their reproductive rights and decide if and when to have more children.
- Argues that the autonomy of some must be sacrificed for the broader good of all. rawls introduces the maximin rule in his 1971 treatise a theory of justice.
- Argues that genetic testing violates a child's right to an open future. parents may feel guilty or shelter their not-yet-sick children because they believe they are more fragile than they actually are.
- Agrees with davis' assertion that childhood testing for late onset diseases should be prohibited if there are neither prophylactic measures nor cures in existence.
- Opines that healthcare providers should err on the side of caution and advise against all childhood genetic testing for untreatable, late-onset diseases.
2351 wordsRead More - Side Effect of Genetic Screeningopinion essayGenetic screening is the procedure of analyzing DNA specimen to detect the presence of a gene or genes related with an inherited disorder (Genetic screening 2011). In order to determine a person’s opportunity of developing a genetic disorder, the results of a genetic test can exclude a doubted genetic condition (What is genetic testing? 2011). It helps the infertility to have their next generation in future. Besides that, genetic screening has been carried out for partially common reasons as non-genetic screening for the health care of the ill and protection of diseases. Gitzelmann and Finley stated that genetic screening is a public health of first step not only because the gigantic demand for health message of families but despite of this challenge it at present to affect the livelihood of thousands of human being (cited in Miller 1999). In addition, the stated problem of genetic manipulation has absolutely aroused a big can of worms these past few years. Although genetic screening has been around for the past ten years, it should not be used to screen any healthy babies because the cost of the genetic screening is unaffordable by some low-income families, the reliability of genetic screening is still a question and the genetic screening is an immoral behavior.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic screening is the procedure of analyzing dna specimens to detect the presence of genes related with an inherited disorder. it helps the infertility to have their next generation in future.
- Explains that the cost of genetic screening is unaffordable by some low-income families because most of the families could not afford it due to the high cost.
- Opines that the reliability of genetic screening is still a question even though the size of the different gene is being tested repeatedly.
- Opines that genetic screening is an immoral behavior. it is god's faith and we have to appreciate it.
- Opines that the benefits of genetic screening are not all bad because it helps to reduce the disabilities of babies in this society.
- Concludes that genetic screening should not be used to produce a baby because it brings many disadvantages.
1396 wordsRead More - The Ethical Issue Of Prenatal Genetic Testingexplanatory essayPrenatal genetic testing is being performed constantly somewhere. Prenatal genetic testing is an ethical issue itself, but the advice these parents are given is a much larger ethical issue. Is it just to preform prenatal testing; in other words is it fair and are the risks and benefits provided equally to the parents? Are parents treated fairly when making the decision for prenatal genetic testing? “As tests become part of routine clinical practice, they become normalized and harder to question or decline” (Deans, Hill, & Lewis 2013). Parents are pressured into preforming these tests because they do not want to feel as if they are being judged or making the wrong decision according to someone else. Prenatal genetic testing can be as simple
In this essay, the author
- Opines that prenatal genetic testing is an ethical issue, but the advice given to parents is a much larger ethical question.
- Explains that medical personnel have a huge impact on the decision these parents will make for their child. there are hundreds of opinions on weighing the risks and benefits of keeping or terminating pregnancy.
- Opines that the acog recommendations are presented as "neutral," not prejudicial to individuals born with congenital disabilities, nor advocating that women terminate such pregnancies.
- Explains that parents have to think about their families being affected by having a special needs child, which can psychologically affect other children. prenatal genetic testing is likely to become the standard of care for pregnant women.
- Explains deans, z, hill, m, chitty, l, & lewis, c. non-invasive prenatal testing for single gene.
1158 wordsRead More - Benefits Of Genetic Testingopinion essayThe term “genetic testing” covers an array of techniques and can be defined as the analysis of human DNA, RNA, genes and/or chromosomes or the analysis of human proteins or certain metabolites, with the primary purpose of detecting a heritable genotype, mutation, phenotype or karyotype . Genetic tests are used as a health tool to detect gene variants associated with specific disease or condition, as well as for non-clinical uses such as paternity testing and forensics. In clinical testing, genetic tests can be performed to determine the genetic cause of a disease, confirm a suspected diagnosis, predict future illness, detect when an individual might pass a genetic mutation to his or her children, and predict response to therapy. They are also performed to screen new born, foetuses or embryos used in in-vitro fertilisation for genetic defects.
In this essay, the author
- Defines genetic testing as the analysis of human dna, rna, genes, and/or chromosomes, with the primary purpose of detecting a heritable genotype or karyotype.
- Opines that there is a need to customise and enhance the regulations specific for clinical genetic testing.
- Explains that the paper focuses on genetic testing offered in clinical context, used for diagnosis of diseases, predictive testing, and testing of heritable dna variants that predict the response profile of an individual to a drug or course of therapy.
- Explains that clinical genetic testing in singapore is currently regulated through various regulatory tools.
- Explains that clinical genetic test kits are also regulated under the first schedule of the health products act (hpa) as medical devices used for medical or diagnostic purposes.
- Opines that clinical laboratories performing chromosomal, biochemical, and dna-based tests for genetic diseases must comply with general regulations under the current phmca, but requirements are inadequate to ensure the overall quality of genetic testing.
- Explains that the bioethics advisory committee (bac) released their report on genetic testing and genetic research, making 22 recommendations covering a wide range of issues relating to clinical genetic testing
- Recommends that genetic test results should only be used to advantage or empower an individual or family and not be disclosed to third parties.
- Recommends that interpretation of clinical genetic test results should only be performed by qualified and experienced healthcare professionals.
- Recommends that genetic counselling should be offered to all individuals before and after they undergo clinical genetic testing.
- States that moh concurred to recommendations 7, 17 and 18 (annex b) on the confidentiality issue, ensuring standards of clinical genetic testing through laboratory accreditation and interpretation by qualified healthcare professionals.
- Explains that the bac recommended a moratorium on the use of predictive genetic information for insurance purposes, and for the appropriate authorities to consider the implications of accessibility.
- Opines that due to the healthcare impact of genetic testing and the significant possibility of false positive/negatives, there is a need to ensure that all tests provided are evidenced-based and provide consistent and reliable results.
- Opines that healthcare professionals recommending genetic tests need to understand the types of tests that should be offered to patients for different diseases and be able to accurately interpret the results and convey them to the patients.
- Opines that with the plummeting cost of whole dna sequencing, more people would be able to get their dna sequenced and discover their susceptibility to certain inheritable genetic diseases.
- Explains that the task force was created by the national institutes of health – department of energy to review genetic testing in the united states and make recommendations to ensure the development of safe and effective genetic tests.
- Opines that no individual should be subjected to unfair discrimination on the basis of having had a genetic test or receiving an abnormal test result.
- Explains that laboratory directors and technical supervisors must have formal training in human and medical genetics.
- Opines that a national accreditation program for laboratories performing genetic tests, including proficiency testing and inspection, is needed to promote standardisation across the country.
- Describes the principles and best practices for quality assurance in molecular genetic testing for clinical purposes.
- Recommends that all molecular genetic testing services should be provided and practised under a quality assurance framework.
- Opines that informed consent to test should be the norm and be obtained in compliance with applicable legal, ethical and professional standards.
- Opines that pre- and post-test counselling should be available, based on test characteristics, test limitations, potential for harm, and relevance to individuals and their relatives.
- Opines that the use, storage, transfer and disposal of patient samples collected for molecular genetic testing should be subject to applicable legal, ethical and professional standards.
- Recommends that all laboratories reporting molecular genetic testing results should be accredited or hold an equivalent recognition.
- Explains that moh has set up a genetic testing advisory committee to recommend specific standards and guidelines for clinical genetic testing under the revised phmca.
- Explains that genetic testing would be one of the tests under the category of specialised tests and services in the second and third schedules for clinics and hospitals and fifth schedule for clinical laboratories.
- Argues that genetic testing laboratories should be accredited to ensure quality and standards of the tests. accreditation is a powerful tool to improve quality assurance.
- Opines that moh can adapt some of the accreditation standards into licensing standards to impose a higher quality of genetic testing, but this may pose difficulties in having the right capability to audit the laboratories against an accreditation standard checklist.
- Recommends a process leading to informed consent for medical procedures including molecular genetic testing. there need to be safeguards to ensure the patient’s autonomy and provide an opportunity to learn and understand information.
- Recommends that healthcare professionals provide pre- and post-test genetic counselling to help people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.
- Opines that protecting the confidentiality of information should be essential for all healthcare professionals providing genetic tests.
- Opines that laboratory personnel should be educated and trained to possess expert knowledge of genetic principles, technologies employed, limitations of tests used, and an appropriate understanding of clinical implication of the results.
- States that the task force is of the opinion that laboratories should obtain documentation of informed consent when appropriate.
2350 wordsRead More - Geneticsopinion essayThe information received from genetic tests on actionable alleles is very important to individuals health, both in a physical sense, yet also in an emotional/mental sense. Through genetic testing people are able to better feel out what their lives will be like in the future, and can better predict their lives and plan to take action. Though these actions may be taken in error, upon hearing a life threatening verdict from a doctor, people usually look to live life to a fuller extent than if they had no cares in the world. It is for the reason that knowledge allows people to make decisions where no information leaves everything to chance, I would want to have a little control over an uncontrollable situation.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that if there were the chance that i had an allele that could change my life for the worse, they would get tested for it. there are other factors to consider when evaluating whether or not to pursue tests to further understand their own genomic makeup.
- Opines that testing for an allele that might produce something that could make a life go terribly for individuals can only further their knowledge about themselves.
- Explains that the nova video was concerned about a pre-disposition to prostate cancer, where the chances of getting the disease can be considered average, above average or below.
- Analyzes how catherine elton's fear of the future led her to use the term "the burden of knowing" to describe her predicament.
- Narrates how katie moser was emotionally ravaged when the results came back with less than comforting marks, but this spurred a new chapter in her life.
- Opines that the information received from genetic tests on actionable alleles is very important to individuals' health, both in a physical sense, but also in an emotional/mental sense.
748 wordsRead More