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Discuss The Pros And Cons Of Eugenics

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QUESTION 1: Eugenics is a growing field of study that opens up the possibility of eliminating genetic diseases in the human population. Discuss the pros and cons of eugenics in determining characteristics of offspring and thereby changing future populations.

One reason to support the use of genetic information in reproduction is the potential for children to be disease-free and develop without medical hindrances. The American medical community has worked tediously to eliminate diseases through vaccines and various medical interventions; naturally, most believe the practice of screening embryos for genetic diseases is an “ethical” one. The practice of Eugenics becomes muddier when we consider accessibility, diversity and intention.

The benefits of prenatal genetic testing are undeniable when it comes to the elimination of genetic diseases. Preimplantation genetic haplotyping (PGH) - a technology that works in tandem with in vitro fertilization (IVF) - can determine the presence of disease before an embryo is even implanted for pregnancy; thus, those with genetic diseases can biologically reproduce without the possibility of their children inheriting the same diseases. Despite the necessity of prenatal genetic testing for the genetically vulnerable population, when healthy subjects begin to use the same technology, Eugenics starts …show more content…

In an aim to create the perfect child, parents could ultimately create new defects, limit the gene pool, and cause negative social dynamics for the population with traits deemed “less desirable.” The bottom line: there is not enough available research or information regarding the long-term impacts of genetic modification to confidently adopt the practice for usage beyond disease elimination. In conclusion, Eugenics is unethical and potentially dangerous when applied on a broad scale; at this time, Eugenics should only be used to eliminate diseases when completely

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