Genetic Testing Raises Ethical Issues Summary

662 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role of ethics in genetic testing and screening essay

When comparing “Proposed Treatment to Fix Genetic Diseases Raises Ethical Issues” by Rob Stein, “Genetic Testing” by NYU Langone Medical Center and Misdiagnoses: A hidden risk of genetic testing by Jacqueline Howard, one can notice differences and similarities. The article “Proposed Treatment to Fix Genetic Diseases Raises Ethical Issues” is about some of the issues that arise due to a proposed treatment. The article “Genetic Testing” is about the genetic tests that exist and explains the ethical issues that genetic testing can create. The video Misdiagnoses: A hidden risk of genetic testing explains how a couple misinterpreted the genetic results they obtained. They did not see that their genetic test did not check for a specific disease …show more content…

In the video, the author included the experience of the Gold family whereas in the article “Proposed Treatment to Fix Genetic Diseases Raises Ethical Issues,” the author included the experience of Lori Martin. The article “Genetic Testing” also includes real life examples like that of Chloe Kondrich (NYU Langone Medical Center 6), George Doe (NYU Langone Medical Center 7) and Joseph Vlacovsky and John Mayfield (NYU Langone Medical Center 11). All 3 sources also include different issues that arise in the subject of the source. For example, the article “Genetic Testing” contains ethical issues like that of abortion (NYU Langone Medical Center 6), hurting families (NYU Langone Medical Center 8) and the risk of not obtaining insurance (NYU Langone Medical Center 11). The issue in the other article “Proposed Treatment to Fix Genetic Diseases Raises Ethical Issues” is that “if mistakes are made [in the mitochondria] … we’ll have introduced new genetic diseases” (Stein 3). The video states how a couple took a genetic test and misinterpreted the results. This couple believed they were safe and had children, but noticed otherwise after their second …show more content…

In addition, both articles describe steps parents or parents to be can take to have a healthy baby. In the article “Genetic Testing,” the author describes different types of tests in adults and embryos that diagnose diseases. An embryo can undergo preimplantation genetic diagnosis or they can undergo amniocentesis and an adult can undergo carrier testing. The video states how an adult can test for diseases in their ethnic group, so they could decide what they will do to be able to have a healthy baby. Both the video and the article “Proposed Treatment to Fix Genetic Diseases Raises Ethical Issues” discuss alternatives so parents can have a healthy baby. The video lists possible alternatives to having a healthy baby even if the parents have a disease. The video gives alternatives like using “an egg donor, a sperm donor, adopt and in vitro fertilization” (Howard, 2016), so a family could have a healthy baby without passing on any

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

  • Cracking Your Genetic Code: A Review of Genetic Testing

    1554 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the film, two contrasting examples of genetic testing are shown. The first example is of the twins Noah and Alexis Beery, who are stricken with a rare disease that mimics cerebral palsy. Through genetic testing, doctors discovered that the twins could be treated with dopamine. By sequencing their entire genome, the twin’s lives were saved. The second example is Andrew S...

    Read More

  • Genetic Therapy: Moral And Ethical Issues In Gene Therapy

    1087 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over 40 years ago, two men by the names of James Watson and Francis Crick discovered deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. DNA is hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms (What is DNA?). From this finding, gene therapy evolved. Today, researchers are able to isolate certain specific genes, repair them, and use them to help cure diseases such as cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. However, as great as this sounds, there are numerous ethical and scientific issues that will arise because of religion and safety.

    Read More

  • Abortion: A Moral Dilemma or Murder?

    1204 Words  | 3 Pages

    It isn’t just your body anymore, once you 're pregnant there 's a defenseless baby inside of you that only you can protect. You can give your child a happy life and help a couple that can’t physically reproduce have a baby.

    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

  • The Genetic Screening Debate

    1835 Words  | 4 Pages

    Within the past thirty years, researchers have found strong evidence linking genes and disease. The development of predictive genetic tests followed shortly after the isolation of certain candidate genes. Although predictive genetic screening is only available for a handful of diseases, its effects and ramifications have become hotly debated issues in a wide range of areas, from government to religion. The debate began in the 1993 when researchers isolated the BRCA1 gene, which is associated with increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The discovery of this gene led to excitement and speculation of developing a predictive genetic test to identify those women at risk for these cancers. In this paper, I will first describe the biology of genetic testing, and then discuss the pros and cons of predictive genetic testing.

    Read More

  • IVF and the New Eugenics

    1509 Words  | 4 Pages

    The addition of a child into a family’s home is a happy occasion. Unfortunately, some families are unable to have a child due to unforeseen problems, and they must pursue other means than natural pregnancy. Some couples adopt and other couples follow a different path; they utilize in vitro fertilization or surrogate motherhood. The process is complicated, unreliable, but ultimately can give the parents the gift of a child they otherwise could not have had. At the same time, as the process becomes more and more advanced and scientists are able to predict the outcome of the technique, the choice of what child is born is placed in the hands of the parents. Instead of waiting to see if the child had the mother’s eyes, the father’s hair or Grandma’s heart problem, the parents and doctors can select the best eggs and the best sperm to create the perfect child. Many see the rise of in vitro fertilization as the second coming of the Eugenics movement of the 19th and early 20th century. A process that is able to bring joy to so many parents is also seen as deciding who is able to reproduce and what child is worthy of birthing.

    Read More

  • Henrietta Lacks Tragedy

    2071 Words  | 5 Pages

    There is very much controversy surrounding the case of the very popular Henrietta Lacks. One of the major implications on the situation that people have a problem with is the lack of consent obtained by Johns Hopkins University and the doctors involved. All though it was not common place as it is in today’s society, many feel that it was not ethical to perform medical procedures without the patient and their family being given all of the knowledge regarding the situation. The tissue sample taken by doctor Howard W. Jones was unbeknown to the family which violates the ethical respect for the person that should be held. A sample of someone’s DNA is not anything that should be taken lightly or regarded as unimportant. It should have been a decision made by Henrietta, and had she of known of the procedure she may have voted against donating to research. This lack of incorporating Henrietta and her family caused there to be a dismal amount of respect for persons shown by the University and all

    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

  • Understanding Deaf Culture: Insights from 'Sound and Fury'

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sometimes my boyfriend and I will talk about if it is smart to even have children in this day and age (considering the overpopulation problem). After seeing this film I realize that it’s also important to discuss what you and your partner/spouse might do if your child were born with a disability. I feel like so many couples have children before they are ready, now I’m worried people have children without discussing possible problems they and their child could face! Perhaps I am overthinking the process of parenting, but what I can say is this- if I ever find myself considering parenthood, I want to be prepared for potential health problems.

    Read More

  • Ethical Dilemmas In Genetic Testing Essay

    1292 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Testing Genetic testing has rapidly become a major controversial topic in society. Genetic testing presents itself with many positive and negative attributions in the field of medicine, and should be thoroughly discussed before one should take a stance on it or when deciding on whether to have this test. The ethical dilemmas that arise from this test are not primarily focused on what the test entails, but are centered on the actions of the person of autonomy after receiving their results. This topic has two equally supported sides; however, an appropriate and just stance cannot be formed until all the facts and support have been reviewed. Genetic testing is a field of testing intended to gather critical information

    Read More

  • Speech: Genetically Engineered Designer Babies

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dozens of couples in the United Kingdom are opting to have this done so they can give birth to free from disease

    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

More about Genetic Testing Raises Ethical Issues Summary

Open Document