Genetic Amniocentesis

984 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ethics of genetic testing 2018

Genetic amniocentesis is a good path for some individuals, but is not for everyone. After knowing the reasons why it may be beneficial to undergo testing, or seeing the risks that may occur during the procedure and with the information may help determine which path is right for the expecting parents. It is a difficult time to decide if testing would be useful, or harmful. It is completely up to the parents to decide if an amniocentesis should be put into place. A few things to consider before making a final decision, or to help make one is to think and reflect about how would knowing your child has a defect impact you? Would you be willing to undergo additional tests, would you want to terminate the child? It is also important to think about how this knowledge will impact your mindset during the rest of the pregnancy, will it create a positive or …show more content…

If the child does have a condition how will the baby impact your life and will you be able to plan prior to the birthing to prepare for the baby’s arrival? These are a few additional questions to ask to determine which path is most suitable for the individual ( Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care).
There are several aspects of genetic testing that may lead to ethical dilemmas. “The accuracy of amniocentesis is about 99.4%” ( WebMD), though this high percentage rate does not identify all of the abnormalities that may result in a disorder, and is not fully reliable. It determines if an unborn child has a certain condition, but limits families from other crucial information that has extreme importance that cause uncertainties. Furthermore, should such valuable information be given if no treatment exists for the baby? Some conditions do have treatments and interventions, many however do not. Other thoughts on the topic of if genetic amniocentesis is ethical or not as it puts the infant at risk by poking a needle into its anatomic fluid that surrounds

Show More
Related

  • Ethical Issues Surrounding Genetic Screening and Genetic Engineering

    1918 Words  | 4 Pages

    In today’s modern age science is moving at a rapid pace; one of those scientific fields that has taken the largest leaps is that of genetics. When genetics first comes to mind, many of us think of it as a type of science fiction, or a mystical dream. Yet genetics is here, it is real, and has numerous ethical implications.

    Read More

  • Genetic Counseling in Nursing: Case Study of Cystic Fibrosis

    726 Words  | 2 Pages

    At this time I would reveal the chances of having a normal child is 25%, a child who is a carrier is 50%, and that there is a 25% chance of having a child with CF. My role would be to reveal all choices and alternatives to this family, enlist the help of a genetic counselor, and be a pillar of support for this emotional time in their lives. Information on caring for a child with CF will be shared along with associated health problems. I would explain that a child with CF would need daily care and that improvements in treatments will allow for a better quality of life and longer life expectancy than in the past. Their child will go to school, have friends, and will get a job. Choices for this couple would be to accept the risk and have a child, not have children, adoption, use donor sperm or eggs, or undergo in vitro fertilization with prescreened embryos. I will be there to provide emotional support and help them to make a decision that is most appropriate in their

    Read More

  • Ultrasounds: A Necessity During Pregnancy

    1653 Words  | 4 Pages

    When a mother finds out she is pregnant it is a wonderful experience. Most people are excited to see their first “picture” of their baby, the ultrasound. Even more exciting is getting an ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby. But ultrasounds are useful for more than just getting that first image of the fetus or finding out whether it is a boy or a girl. While it is something most parents dread finding out when pregnant, an ultrasound can also detect a birth defect. There are many different birth defects that can be detected by an ultrasound during pregnancy like Spina Bifida, Down syndrome, and abnormalities with the heart and lower urinary tract, and the importance of detecting them with an ultrasound is shown in the benefits of discovering the birth defect early, and the options it gives the parents after discovering the birth defect.

    Read More

  • Is Genetic Testing Right Or Wrong Essay

    655 Words  | 2 Pages

    If two parents get tested and find out that their child could have the disease, they could choose to get an abortion, which would be abusing the benefits of genetic testing. In the Jewish testing article it says “or they may choose to end the pregnancy” (Goldschmidt). In this case, taking the life of an unborn child due to genetic testing is an example of how genetic testing can be morally unsound. Also, if a cure is found for genetic testing, the treatments can be very harsh. In the Patients in Limbo article is says “every month for the first two years of her life” (Marcus). Although a cure was found, this child had to undergo extreme treatment in order to have the chance of being cured for the condition. As just a young child, depending on the type of treatment it is, this can be too extreme for such a young patient and can deteriorate the young ones body. In this situation, although genetic testing led to results, it also led to things that can cause pain and suffering, which is not what genetic testing should be used to

    Read More

  • The Ethical Issues of Genetic Testing

    1419 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Human Genome Project is the largest scientific endeavor undertaken since the Manhattan Project, and, as with the Manhattan Project, the completion of the Human Genome Project has brought to surface many moral and ethical issues concerning the use of the knowledge gained from the project. Although genetic tests for certain diseases have been available for 15 years (Ridley, 1999), the completion of the Human Genome Project will certainly lead to an exponential increase in the number of genetic tests available. Therefore, before genetic testing becomes a routine part of a visit to a doctor's office, the two main questions at the heart of the controversy surrounding genetic testing must be addressed: When should genetic testing be used? And who should have access to the results of genetic tests? As I intend to show, genetic tests should only be used for treatable diseases, and individuals should have the freedom to decide who has access to their test results.

    Read More

  • Abortion: A Matter of Human Rights and Safety

    1436 Words  | 3 Pages

    if there is fetal anomaly and no clear risk of health problems for the mother. In one case,

    Read More

  • Genetic Screening

    2630 Words  | 6 Pages

    Allen, B., (1994). Predictive genetic testing: ethical, legal and social implications. USA Today Nov 1994:66-69. Reference 2.

    Read More

  • Methods and Effects of Prenatal Genetic Testing

    2994 Words  | 6 Pages

    The desire to have a "normal" child is held by every parent and only now are we beginning to have the ability to select for that child. In preparation to receiving genetic testing, the parents are required to meet with a genetic counselor. A detailed description of the testing methods are reviewed with the couple as well as the risks which are involved with each. Upon an understanding of the procedures, the counselor discusses the many possible outcomes which could be the result of the diagnosis. Finally, before any tests are performed, anxieties from either of the parents are addressed as well as the psychological well-being of the parents.

    Read More

  • Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing

    1221 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today’s world, people are learning a great deal in the rapidly growing and developing fields of science and technology. Almost each day, an individual can see or hear about new discoveries and advances in these fields of study. One science that is rapidly progressing is genetic testing; a valuable science that promotes prevention efforts for genetically susceptible people and provides new strategies for disease management. Unnaturally, and morally wrong, genetic testing is a controversial science that manipulates human ethics. Although genetic testing has enormous advantages, the uncertainties of genetic testing will depreciate our quality of life, and thereby result in psychological burden, discrimination, and abortion.

    Read More

  • Interview With a Parent of a Child with Special Needs

    1355 Words  | 3 Pages

    I interviewed a woman who has a child with special needs. The child is now in kindergarten. The mother reported having a normal pregnancy with no complications. This was the second child for the mother, who has another child who was five years old at the time. The mother disclosed that during the pregnancy, she was in the process of separating from the child’s father and that this caused a moderate level of stress. At the time of the pregnancy, the mother was also working full time as a waitress in a local restaurant. The mother reported that her job required her to be on her feet for long periods of time. She was able to work until around a week before her child was born. The mother reports that the child was born around two weeks early but that labor was easy and the child was born healthy.

    Read More

  • Genetic Testing or Genetic Screening

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    Prenatal genetic screening in particular is a polarizing topic of discussion, more specifically, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). PGD is one of the two techniques commonly used to genetically screen embryos in vitro; it is usually done at the eight-cell stage of division. PGD is most often performed when there is the risk that one or both parents carry disease-causing mutations. It is extensively used by high-risk individuals trying to conceive babes who will be free of particular mutations. PGD can test for over 50 genetic conditions and even allows for sex selection if there are underlying gender-associated medical conditions. When the results are satisfactory, the selected embryo is implanted into the mother’s uterus. While a controversial technique, preimplantation genetic diagnosis is one example of some of the good genetic testing can do, more benefits will be furthe...

    Read More

  • Human Genetic Engineering

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pray, Leslie A., Ph.D. “Embryo Screening and the Ethics of Human Genetic Engineering.” Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 2008. Web. The Web.

    Read More

  • Electronic Fetal Monitoring Essay

    1565 Words  | 4 Pages

    There is also a high-resolution ultrasound scanning that can detect chromosomal and physical abnormalities in the first trimester as opposed to the second trimester. A technology such as this can create many ethical problems. Mcfadyen describes the biggest problem as being informed consent. “They may believe that it will provide information only about gestational age and be unaware of the range of abnormalities that can be detected. Recent research suggests that many women are not told beforehand of the first scan’s potential to detect fetal anomalies.”

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Genetic Testing

    1724 Words  | 4 Pages

    (2) Even people that don 't have any disease could be more prepare, and prevent it from developing in the future by being more aware thanks to the genetic test provided. Genetic screening is another valuable technology that could help a parent keep track of their baby 's health by examining their chromosomes. Genetic testing and screening could impact the life all patients in a positive way, therefore the opposing side should be grateful, and take advantage of this opportunities provided. For example, a person goes to genetically test themselves in a clinic, and they come to find out that they could potentially develop heart problems in the future. Now they can be more aware, and prepared. They could in many different ways like changing their diet or exercising more so they could better protect their heart, and decrease the chances of having the heart problems, like they where presented in the genetic test. What if the person didn 't know they had a chance to have problems? and start eating unhealthy foods that could likely speed up their changes of developing a heart disease. My point is that the same thing goes to those parent who want to get a update of their unborn child 's health. Many healthy mother don 't really expect that their pregnancy will bring some implications, but in

    Read More

  • The Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetic Testing

    717 Words  | 2 Pages

    Genetic testing can help people determine why they get cancer or other diseases. Genetic testing is recommended to people who have a family history of a genetic disease, have children who are born with genetic defects, and have gone through more than one miscarriage in the past. Though these te...

    Read More

More about Genetic Amniocentesis

Open Document