Lifelong Health Benefits of Mandatory Genetic Screenings
analytical Essay
1481 words
Since their development and introduction to the field of medicine more than a century ago, genetic screenings have become incorporated in many fields of healthcare, including reproductive health and cancer prevention. Genetic screening is a method of identifying genetic disorders through the study of an individual’s DNA. They can be used to determine predisposition for various disorders such as Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, and sickle cell anemia. Genetic screenings inform individuals about their state of health and can help them make efficient choices in regard to disease treatments and prevention; however they have not gone without controversy. Many feel that such screenings can cause stigma and discrimination against individuals who have unfavorable genetic characteristics. Despite such social setbacks, mandatory screenings with anonymous data released to the public can help benefit both individuals and public health. Genetic screenings are often conducted in order to detect genotypes linked to greater likelihood of particular diseases; hence they can lead individuals to make informed decisions about their own health care and the health of their potential offspring. Screenings are actually quite common among most newborns and can lead to immediate treatment of disorders such as hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria (Natowicz and Alper, 1991). In fact, nationwide mandatory screenings for phenylketonuria among newborns since the 1960s has led to the effective elimination of the disease, which is known for causing seizures and delayed mental development (Natowicz and Alper, 1991). Another disease known for being successfully detected is Tay-Sachs disease, which can lead to a breakdown of the nervous system and death; though there are... ... middle of paper ... ...oints-genetic-variation-that-raises-risk-of-serious-complication-linked-to-osteoporosis-drugs/. Hodge A., 2004, “Ethical Issues Concerning Genetic Testing and Screening in Public Health” in American Journal of Medical Genetics, 66-70. Markel H., 1992, “The Stigma of Disease: Implications of Genetic Screening” in The American Journal of Medicine, 209-215. Natowicz M. and Alper J., 1991, “Genetic Screenings: Triumphs, Problems, and Controversies” in Journal of Public Health Policy, 475-491. Sheth, K., 2010, "Tay-Sachs disease” in PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002390/. Phillips K., Veenstra D., Ramsey S., Van Bebber S., and Sakowski J., 2004, “Genetic Testing and Pharmacogenomics: Issues for Determining the Impact to Healthcare Delivery and Costs” in The American Journal of Managed Care, 425-432.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic screenings have become incorporated in many fields of healthcare, including reproductive health and cancer prevention.
- Explains that genetic screenings can lead to immediate treatment of disorders such as hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, and tay-sachs disease.
- Explains that utilizing genetic screening, individuals and doctors can target health disorders more quickly and efficiently.
- Explains that genetic screening can help determine health issues faster in regions where certain health disorders are more prevalent among ethnic groups, such as in the ashkenazi jewish community.
- Opines that genetic screenings can lead to social stigma against those with genetic disorders despite their benefits for individual and public health.
- Argues that mandatory genetic screenings with public results may lead to a "genetic holocaust", similar to when hitler attempted to lead human evolution to favor fair-pigmented people.
- Explains that even if stigma against ethnic groups does not arise from genetic screening, individual patients may experience high levels of stress due to the results of the screenings.
- Argues that making genetic screenings mandatory will lead to a more informed public when it comes to personal health and family planning, as well as better medical understanding of various genetic disorders.
- Cites atkin, k., eskenazi, and etkin's article, "ethnicity and the politics of the new genetics: principles and engagement."
- Cites hodge, markel, natowicz, alper, and sheth.
- Explains that genetic testing and pharmacogenomics: issues for determining the impact to healthcare delivery and costs, in the american journal of managed care, 2004.
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- Genetic Testing and the US Healthcare Systemargumentative essayHealthcare in America is in a crisis. By 1996, more than 43 million Americans were uninsured. By 2010, the number is expected to rise to 57 million. These figures are already shocking, but they are even more so considering that the healthcare costs of the US total $1.2 trillion or 15% of the gross national product (GNP) – the highest in the world.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic testing is the analysis of human dna, rna and chromosomes to detect heritable disease-related genotypes and mutations. prenatal, newborn, and carrier screening are included.
- Explains that genetic testing continues to have economic benefits for working and productive members of society.
- Opines that genetic testing needs to play an increasingly important role in the us healthcare system. it will allow healthcare providers to allocate resources more efficiently while still reducing overall healthcare expenditures.
- Proposes the widespread use of genetic testing in the us healthcare system to address the concerns of spiraling healthcare costs.
- Explains the importance of genetic testing in preventing and treating diseases such as alzheimer's, cancer, and breast cancer.
- Argues that genetic testing can reduce healthcare costs if used as a form of preventive medicine.
- Argues that genetic testing saves money in the short-term by more efficiently adopting a preventive medicine approach.
- Explains that genetic testing is essential for the proper diagnosis of rare single-gene disorders. genetic testing eliminates mental and physical anguish associated with disease.
- Proposes ratification of bills in congress outlawing genetic discrimination by insurance providers.
2450 wordsRead More - The Controversial Topic of Genetic Testingexplanatory essayGenetic testing has become a highly controversial issue among both the general population and the scientific community. It is a process that exposes a person’s entire genome sequence, allowing it to be read and evaluated to identify potential risks for genetic diseases or diseases that could be passed onto offspring (Holt Productions, 2012). With thousands of genetic tests already being used, and more being established, it seems logical to put this growing technology to use. Some agree that it is a person’s right to know and understand his or her genetic makeup. However, others argue that, despite the benefits of genetic testing, caution should be used to carefully inspect the risks associated with this new technology.
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- Describes the guidelines for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in newborns through older adults.
- Describes holt productions, nova, and pbs home video's cracking your genetic code.
- Explains the national library of medicine's genetics home reference. what is genetic testing?
- Explains that genetic testing has become a highly controversial issue among both the general population and the scientific community.
1033 wordsRead More - Genetic Testing or Genetic Screeningopinion essayGenetic testing, also known as screening, is a rapidly advancing new scientific field that can potentially revolutionize not only the world of medicine, but many aspects of our lives. Genetic screening is the sequencing of human DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may prove pathological. As genetic screening becomes more advanced and easily accessible, it presents society with difficult questions that must be asked about the boundaries of science and to what degree we are allowed to tamper with the human genome. To better understand the potential impact of genetic screening on our society, we must examine the potential benefits in comparison to the possible negative impact it may cause. With this knowledge in hand, we can examine what the future holds for this field of study and the best possible direction to take.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that genetic screening has many revolutionary applications, but personalized medicine is the most significant.
- Opines that genetic screening could have serious unintended consequences for the public, allowing insurers and employers to use that information to deny coverage and benefits.
- Opines that progress is inevitable and research into the human genome will most likely continue.
- Opines that legalizing over-the-counter genetic testing would provide solutions to some of the problems facing the field of study.
- Opines that genetic screening should be allowed to continue but only under heavy scrutiny from regulating bodies.
- Explains that genetic testing, also known as screening, is a rapidly advancing scientific field that can potentially revolutionize not only the world of medicine, but many aspects of our lives.
- Cites coughlin, s.s., and weeks, c. (2002). future challenges for research on diagnostic tests: genetic tests and disease prevention.
1504 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Genetic Testingexplanatory essayIn recent years, genetic testing has become a popular topic in the media. Usually involving cheek swabs, blood samples, or amniotic fluid samples, the procedure is relatively simple and can help diagnose genetic disorders, determine ideal medication types, or simply determine the patient’s heritage. It has saved many lives from cancer and other afflictions, but to say that genetic testing is always the correct choice is false. There are many issues with the tests, considering that they are new to the medical world. Genetic testing is mostly harmful because of privacy concerns, how underdeveloped it is, and the risk of it pushing a mother to abort her child.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic testing has saved many lives from cancer and other afflictions, but to say that it is always the correct choice is false. genetic testing is harmful because of privacy concerns, how underdeveloped, and the risk of pushing a mother to abort her child.
- Explains that until the genetic nondiscrimination act (gina) was passed in 2008, employers could deny people jobs and insurance companies could raise rates solely based on a person’s genetic makeup.
- Opines that genetic testing is too widely available, and until there are more restrictions it is probably best to not get tested.
- Explains that dna testing has only been around since the mid-1980’s, so it is still underdeveloped.
- Explains that genetic testing is the most well-known use for finding disorders in a fetus. it seems strange that people rely on tests like this before they even see the child and can know for sure if they have any disorders.
- Opines that taking a genetic test is risky and that companies can publicise or use the results against the patient, even though this is illegal.
740 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 - What Is The Persuasive Speech For Eugenicsopinion essayIn a survey of 999 people who sought genetic counseling conducted by Feighanne Hathaway, M.S., of New York University Langone Medical Center, and colleagues, “Most were eager for a wider spectrum of prenatal genetic tests -- as long as they were for disease” (Smith).
In this essay, the author
- Opines that with eugenics, the appearance of diseases, illnesses, and disorders will significantly decrease.
- Urges you to support eugenics in light of the many diseases present out there.
- Argues that parents and future parents should be allowed to pick the traits their child will have. no one wants their offspring to suffer.
- Explains that they are more than knowledgeable about eugenics in researching this speech and writing a research paper on this topic.
- Explains that they will define and expound basic facts about eugenics and advocate for full support behind it.
- Explains that eugenics is the study of improving the qualities of human civilization by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of inheritable desirable traits.
- Explains that selective breeding is judgment for better traits while natural selection is when only the well-suited traits are passed on, not necessarily the desired traits.
- Summarizes a study conducted in an urban surgical center in india by dr. bharathi v. hiremath, leader of the surgical unit in the department of general surgery at m.s. ramaih medical college.
- Opines that natural selection is not the best pathway for human civilization.
- Explains that a poll conducted by time on selective breeding came out with 46 percent of parents supporting the ideology of designer babies.
- Argues that there will be a lack of genetic diversity because there would be the same traits in every child, but this is simply untrue.
- Explains that not all parents would want the same exact traits for their child because each and every parent is entitled to a variety of opinions that rarely overlap with each other.
- Explains that not every parent is the same. each could potentially be from a different culture, environment, and/or background.
- Explains lebanon valley college's article that states that california alone allocated 18 million dollars to the mentally handicapped and this figure was not including social security, medicaid, and housing.
- Argues that those who argue that the world's population will become too large are fooling themselves.
- Explains that palomar college supports the idea that people can genetically modify crops. gregor mendel was able to selectively cross-pollinate plants with particular traits and observe the outcome over generations.
- Opines that since scientists have performed genetic changes on development to certain specimens for research or beneficial profit, human genetic change could also prove to be beneficial.
- Explains that many people are getting a flu shot (modified virus) in order to not get infected by the flu. genetically modifying human embryos could also be accomplished in the near future.
- Explains that genetically modifying viruses and human embryos is another step in the science field to improve the human race.
- Explains that eugenics is not some far-fetched idea that is unregulated and is going to be implemented without any specific rules or regulations.
- Explains that it can be checked and verified; it must have a desirable net worth in the scientists’ views.
- Opines that if a particular eugenics procedure does not meet these tests and many others, it will simply not be in use until an acceptable compromise is reached for human society.
- Describes mrs. terra's technique of mitochondrial dna replacement therapy in an interview with an ap biology teacher at a high school.
- Argues that those who argue that since adolf hitler and the nazis practiced eugenics, it will always be bad, are deceiving themselves.
- Argues that vegetarians would be bad people because hitler himself was a vegetarian.
- Explains that simply attributing a characteristic that once appeared on someone to another subject or topic is in other words, stereotyping.
- Opines that most people were eager for a wider spectrum of prenatal genetic tests, as long as they were for disease.
- Analyzes smith's article, "genetic testing yes, ‘designer babies’ no.' a majority of respondents said they would screen for mental retardation, deafness, blindness and heart disease.
- Explains that many human beings in the world today are continuously passing away due to a lack of action — about 150,000 people daily.
- Opines that parents should have the freedom to select traits to their liking for their offspring.
- Opines that in countries like china, where each couple is limited to one child per family, this method works fairly well in self-containing the population.
- Opines that a common axiom that many people forget is to not judge books by their cover. parents should be allowed to screen for diseases so that they know if their unborn child will have any disease or disorder.
1195 wordsRead More - The Pros of Prenatal Genetic Testingopinion essayThe Pros of Prenatal Genetic Testing Many medical advances are being made today in the area of genetics. One of the most talked about is prenatal genetic testing. The purpose of prenatal genetic testing is to obtain information on a baby's health before they are born. This new technology will definitely improve the quality of human life. Diseases will be diminished and through new advances some diseases might even be eliminated.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that prenatal genetic testing will improve the quality of human life by obtaining information on a baby's health before they are born.
- Explains that many people have a negative outlook on prenatal genetic testing because they are not educated on the goals and actual applications of the technology.
- Explains the medical advances being made feasible by genetic testing. understanding genes in the developing human will help doctors understand the nature of genetic diseases and may lead to countless other medical breakthroughs.
- Opines that prenatal genetic testing is to improve life through good health.
- Opines that prenatal genetic testing will also benefit society as a whole. if there are less people born with health problems the cost of health care will be lower.
- Opines that prenatal genetic testing can positively impact life, and that medical advances that are discovered and made possible will definitely improve life.
468 wordsRead More - Genetic Testinganalytical essayGenetic Testing The technologies available to aid in diagnosing genetic diseases and disorders have developed extraordinarily over the years. As a result, one topic up for discussion is how the technology should be used in the realm of diagnosing children before birth, mainly, using it to selectively screen embryos for genetic diseases. Leon Kass is one author who opposes genetic testing. He provides two main reasons why he feels it is morally wrong to use genetic screening on unborn children.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that those affected with down's syndrome will suffer tremendously, including socially and emotionally. it is a chromosomal abnormality that results from faulty eggs or sperm.
- Argues that kass's second point is that we easily slide from possession to identity when we describe an individual, but he is wrong about the reasons behind it.
- Analyzes leon kass' persuasive argument against genetic testing. he provides examples of how those suffering from genetic diseases are later selected against will suffer significant emotional distress and social alienation.
- Explains that leon kass opposes the use of genetic screening on unborn children.
- Analyzes how kass believes genetic testing is morally wrong. he believes that children born with a genetic disorder will be treated differently by their parents and others.
1262 wordsRead More - The Genetic Screening Debatecomparative essayThe Genetic Screening Debate 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that proponents believe that people from high-risk families can gain many benefits from knowing whether or not they carry a genetic mutation.
- Describes the biology of genetic testing, and then discusses the pros and cons of it.
- Concludes that genetic tests do not provide definitive results and therefore should not be used.
- Explains that genetic testing for cancer is here, whether we need it or not.
1835 wordsRead More - Genetic Screeningexplanatory essayGenetic Screening Genetic screening techniques are coming of age and the controversy that surrounds them is growing by the minute. The definition of genetic screenings is as follows: a systematic search for persons with a specific genotype. These tests that look into the essence of humanity, will allow scientist and physicians the opportunity and ability to alter the human genotype for better or worse. Genetic advancements will bring controversy at every milestone. Genetic Screening usually takes place when an individu al or group shows risk for a disease or trait.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetic screening techniques are coming of age and the controversy that surrounds them is growing by the minute.
- Opines that ethics plays a major role in understanding the controversy that surrou nds genetic testing. they will discuss ethics, techniques, types of test available, major issues, pros and cons associated with genetic screening.
- Explains that dna is the molecule of heredity and provides life's bl ueprints for building, replicating, and surviving. the human genome project is a process of mapping the human chromosome.
- Explains that ethics in genetic screening plays a major role in how the public opinion is formed.
- Explains that a genetic test will not indicate the severity or even if the disease will manifest itself, but it shows that an individual's genetic sequence is suspect for causing it. anxiety of living with the likelihood of one or more specific, chronic, debilitating disease creates psychological burdens.
- Explains that genetic specimens are easy to obtain with a prick of the finger, and genetic analysis tests can be run with this small amount of blood.
- Explains that insurance is based on the complementary principles of solidarity and equity in the face of uncertain risks. the goal of business is to make money.
- Explains that social stigmatism may be placed on individuals and families because of the results of genetic tests. employers could deny jobs to individuals that are at risk for certain diseases.
- Explains the benefits of genetic screening, such as prenatal testing, abortion, and changing habits.
- Explains that genetic tests are expensive in the united states compared to britain. the british system takes into account the money saved by proper treatment and genetic counseling.
- Explains that neonatal genetic tests are used to determine inborn errors of metabolism, which can cause complications later in life. carrier screening is given to individuals that are high risk, such as jewish people of east european descent.
- Explains that maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (msafp) is a common blood-screening test that is performed early in pregnancy.
- Explains that inborn errors of metabolism are tests run on all infants to determine rare disabilities or chemical disorders like pku, sickle cell disease, and thalassemia. hiv, heart disease and cystic fibrosis are also done.
- Explains that sickle cell anemia tests are run on blacks to determine the presence of sickle cells. tay-sachs is tested for in the descendants of jewish people from eastern europe.
- Opines that genetic screening and genetic test are the way of the future and can benefit all with proper regulation.
- Cites allen, b., "predictive genetic testing: ethical, legal and social implications". usa today.
- Describes the reasons why people want to know if the news is bad. time v148:29 reference 5.
- States blatt, r., an overview of genetic screening and diagnostic test in health care.
2630 wordsRead More