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Genetic Testing Persuasive Essay

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Genetics is the study of heredity. The history of genetics began with Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk in the mid-19th century who provided data to support theoretical ideas posed at the time. Since this time, the molecular basis to genetics has been discovered and, with the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, the molecular background of genetics has been deciphered with rapid technological advancements following soon after. This has led to the gaining of knowledge about how genetic factors impact on human disorders. Today, more than 1800 genes have been identified that cause disease and more than 2000 genetic tests have become available to test for them. These technologies, plus the more recently emerging ones, have seen the pace …show more content…

The results of a genetic test can confirm or deny any suspected genetic condition but also to determine a person’s chance of passing or developing a genetic disorder to future generations. Genetic testing has developed more than 1,000 genetic tests and more are still being developed (Genetics Home Reference (unknown), 2017). Genetic testing has been around for almost three decades but has not become compulsory, only voluntary. Testing has benefits but also limitations and risks. The decision about whether to be tested is personal and complex as this decision may involve the partner and if they have different decisions whether to be tested or left unknown. Test results can provide a sense of relief from uncertainty and to also help couples or individuals make decisions to manage their health care. For example, a negative result can eliminate the need for unnecessary check-ups and further tests. Whereas a positive result can direct a person towards prevention, treatment, and monitoring options. Some test results can also help people make decisions about having children either in the future or soon (Genetics Home Reference (unknown), 2017). The tests that will determine the genetic disorder are Amniocentesis and Chronic Villus Sampling and are widely used throughout

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Inheritance by Dr. Sharon Moalem is an exceptional book. Dr. Moalem’s goal for writing this book is to convey a new idea of genetics and inheritance to the reader. In middle school and high school we were taught that our genetics comes from our parents and that they are fixed throughout our lifetime, but Dr. Sharon Moalem brings the idea that the environment may alter them. He states that the food we eat and the trauma we endure during life can imprint onto our genes. Dr. Moalem works with rare genetic disorders where he accumulates his knowledge from research to help treat his patients with changing some environmental factors in their lives.

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Copeland’s purpose to inform, as well as engage or entertain, is developed through the structure of the article. Specifically, the structure of Copeland’s article consists of a personal story and other examples, along with statistical data. Copeland wants her readers to understand how DNA testing can be an emotional process, having positive outcomes for many families and yet also causing potential burdens for

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Genetic testing for a predisposition to a disease can be a simple process and can be beneficial to the prevention of life-threatening diseases. It has been done for a very long time with different strategies throughout its existence, including testing a small sample of DNA. It can also relate to literature like Brave New World. Genetic testing for a predisposition to a genetic disease is a way to find out the genetic information of a person including if they have a disease passed down genetically or not. Testing is done by looking at the family history and seeing if there is a disease that is passed down from generation to generation like diabetes and many forms of cancer.

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From 1990 to 2010, the percentage of foreign-born individuals in the United States population has skyrocketed from 7.9% or (19,767,316 individuals) to 12.9% of the population (or 39,955,854 individuals), and has received attention from researchers seeking to examine the link between immigration and decisions made by government representatives and officials (Wu and D’Angelo, 2014, p. 58). In the article “Unwarranted Disparity in Federal Sentencing: Noncitizen Crime as a Social/Group Threat”, Jawjeong Wu and Jill M. D’Angelo broadened the scope of this field by being the first researchers to look into citizenship as a factor using multilevel analysis (Wu and D’Angelo, 2014, p. 59). In their study, Wu and D’Angelo (2014) found that cross-level

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It has once been said that prevention is better than cure, making genetic testing for humans a popular topic in the field of scientific research. The Human Genome Project continues to create and discover important biochemical information which may very possibly change biology and medicine permanently. Once it is considered, it is exciting to think about the transition from studying genome (DNA) structures to understanding genome function. Genetic testing makes it possible to break down the human DNA and analyse it to detect chances of any potential disease or any abnormalities. Not only is it important to understand what the Human Genome Project is all about, but it's also crucial to understand both the positives and negatives of this project to be able to form decisions about whether its ethical or not.

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Imagine knowing if a child will have a genetic disorder such as Down Syndrome. Or if the child will obtain Alzheimer's disease as they grow old? Ponder the stress of having an outcome of such a life changing result, and watching the child grow up with the constant remind of the fatal disease that awaits them. This is becoming a depressing reality for people worldwide knowing their pre destined fate or future diagnosis due to Prenatal Genetic Testing. Prenatal Genetic testing shows whether or not if the fetus has certain mutations or disabilities.

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As written by the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Emerging genetic technology often enables testing before the development of definitive treatments or preventive measures.” (11) Barbara Koenig, a UCSF bio-ethicist, also commented briefly on the frequent incurability of deficiencies presented within testing, stating that she feels informing parents of their children’s increased chances of developing late-onset disorders, currently lacking means of avoidance or cures, does much more harm than good. (3) Knowledge of this arguably irrelevant material can then, in turn, lead to anxieties and feelings of depression, though their intensities are, of course, entirely dependent upon both the person involved and the situation at hand, as it is, in a sense, an awareness of impending doom. Similar reactions can arise from a parental perspective, as well, and the recognition that an unfortunate hereditary trait has been passed down from one specific side of the family can lead to a dark and looming guiltiness: A valid emotion, regardless as to whether or not it is quite logical. (2)

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On the other hand, genetic testing can be a lifesaving aid for those with a severe ailment. For example, say that your family has a risk for colon cancer. If you get testing, you will know if you are at risk. If so, you will know your treatment paths that you could take. Doctors like Dr. Leonard state that they would like to have every person get genetic testing so that ailments like cancer could be caught before they even begin.

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Introduction Prenatal testing is to identify chromosomal anomalies, genetic conditions and structural abnormalities in the fetus. Prenatal testing provides informative information about your baby's health before he or she is born. All women are suggested to be tested and screened for gestational diabetes, Down syndrome, and HIV. The development of prenatal testing has resulted in advantages and limitations which has created controversy within our society. Background Information

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(p. 3). Prenatal testing tests for diseases where children suffer. Conditions, such as Tay-Sachs, lead to early deaths of children, and emotional turmoil on parents. By performing these tests, the parent can choose to prevent the draining, emotional experience of burying their child. For example, parents Meredith and Jim Margolis decided

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In recent years, testing of genetic material for disability or disease of an individual or their offspring has tremendously expanded knowledge for present and future disorders. The medical test of genetic screening is an examination of a population, identifying certain genotypes which display association with disease or susceptibility to disease, influence disease in descendants or fabricate other variations not known to be connected with disease (National Academy of Sciences, 1975). Some examples of the different types of genetic testing available include newborn screening, diagnostic testing, carrier testing, prenatal testing and forensic testing (Gehlert & Browne, 2006). Over the past couple of decades, there have been ongoing discussions on whether or not genetic screening should be encouraged, as testing presents limitations as well as benefits. Whilst the decision about whether to be screened should remain voluntary, as it is personal and complex, genetic screening should be ubiquitously endorsed and educated upon as it presents an improvement of the quality of life for those who are found to suffer a disease or disability and provides scientists and medical professionals with an

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For many years prenatal genetic testing has become a common practice that doctors run on a fetus of a pregnant woman before the fetus is born. Is it acceptable for parents to test for non-medical genetic traits like hair color, skin color, intelligence and much more of an unborn child than health disabilities? There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to having a baby and sometimes it could be very hard to decide when it comes to your unborn child. In the early stages of pregnancies doctors run different types of test to make sure if your child is healthy. Some results that come from genetic testing can be very devastating for parents and this leads them into making the hardest decision of their lives.

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While several risky genetic mutations, such as BRCA mutation, might lead one to make difficult decisions, other milder genetic conditions might lead us to take different approaches. For

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Genetic testing is a complicated subject with many possible benefits and harms, especially for children. When a parent wants their child tested for genes linked to diseases that wouldn’t arise until adulthood, ethical issues are raised. Young children do not have say in what happens to them, and if they did have a gene linked to a disease they would not be able to fully understand what that meant. Once they did understand, they would have to live their whole lives with a dark cloud hanging over them, when they may never actually develop the disease. (sciencedaily.com).

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Advances in medical science have allowed doctors to better understand how genes affect health. Variations in genetic make-up can affect how you respond to drugs or increase the chance of developing certain diseases. DNA testing allows your doctor to assess if you have an increased risk for developing a disease, select appropriate treatment for a health condition and evaluate how you may respond to treatments and medications. What Is Genetic Testing? Each person has a unique set of genes inherited from the parents.

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