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Ethical Issues In The Short Story 'Learning Genetics'

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Recommended: Ethical considerations in genetics

In the short story, “Learning Genetics”, the significant ethical issue present is withholding helpful information for a selfish reason. When I was about fifteen, I remember my step-cousin ran away from her house. Everybody was asking all around about where she could have gone. My Aunt Mandy was extremely frustrated with my step-cousin’s best friend because she knew where she went but would not tell anybody. This situation is certainly similar to the one in this narrative. In “Learning Genetics”, multiple researchers did not want to share their findings with other researchers even though the collaboration could have furthered their findings more. Some of the researchers seem extremely greedy. If I were one of the researchers, I would have collaborated with anyone …show more content…

Also, I would have done exactly what the parents did. They were extremely determined and dedicated to not only helping their children but anyone else with PXE. In my opinion, the researchers who were greedy with their research were actually not thinking of everyone who would be affected. Furthermore, the reluctant researchers were causing this to become difficult from the parents who were trying to help. They were causing harm indirectly to several people. If someone has information that could help someone else, even one person, then they need to gladly help out. Within the narrative, “DNAbling Parents”, the main ethical issue is using technology to have a perfect baby. I cannot relate to this directly but I can relate to the use of technology to get something that you want. As I

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Compared to the Lacks family, the Lacks knew their mother didn’t give consent for them to be using her cells for research. Skloot gives this example to the readers to compare both victims and their families suffered from misuse of informed consent. Even though this happen to the Henrietta in the 1950s, John situation is a little more current in time, it

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Question 1 b. In what circumstances di you think scientists are justified in not sharing their results with others before research is completed? o I believe that scientists should not share their results until research is completed and they have fully justified their results. I believe so because other researchers and scientists use results in helping them with experiments, developing models, curing disease, etc. so if quickly scientists share results or models that they are not sure of scientists should use wrong information.

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The topic and history of medical ethics has consistently been a strongly debated issue. With numerous case-specific situations concerning as well as qualifying the matter, perhaps one of the most influential and debatable stories may be that of Henrietta Lacks. With non consensual tissue samples taken, unauthorized distribution of her cells, and seemingly careless radiation treatment for cervical cancer, it might be fair to adjudicate that the lack of ethical practice was apparent and almost even fatal. In the case study of Sofia (“Ethics in The Medical Field:

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A Utilitarianism is looking for the benefits which was obvious that a lot of people were greatly affected by the cells in a good way for researchers to do multiple experiments and make money off of it. The second ethical theory I found in the story was the Deontology. Deontology is based on rules. In the story, deontology is shown by the rules of informed consent and justice. Henrietta did not give any form of consent, verbally or in a written form.

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