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Genetic Turning Points By Jo Peterson: An Ethical Analysis

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In chapter twelve of Genetic Turning Points by James Peterson, the genetically engineered human growth hormone (HGH) is discussed along with the ethical controversy that surrounds its usage to alter one’s genes. For the purpose of this paper, I assume that the genetically concocted HGH is being used to treat children naturally lacking this hormone and to increase the height of children affected by Turner syndrome. I also assume that it is being used to increase the height of children whose parents fear their child may inherit their short height. In my opinion, in no circumstance do I believe that the use of genetically engineered human growth hormone (HGH) is ethical because it fosters the distorted societal outlook on physical appearance, its use is a …show more content…

I would define child abuse as any form of physical, emotional, or even sexual mistreatment of anyone under the age of eighteen. I believe that using genetically concocted HGH is child abuse because, in my opinion, it is a painful and unnecessary procedure that is given to children before they have the ability to make their own medical decisions. I believe both the parents and the doctors involved are responsible for the carrying out of this unethical, abusive procedure. Additionally, I believe that all parents should love their child for all that they are, not feel the need to change them so that they can have a “more perfect” appearance. In my opinion, there is no such a thing as a “more perfect” appearance. It baffles me that parents would allow their child to undergo pain, just so they can have a child that is a little bit taller. Whether this procedure is used on children with a lack of HGH, children with Turners syndrome, or children whose parents simply want to ensure their child be taller, I do not believe this procedure is ethical as it causes unnecessary physical and emotional pain for

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The documentary War on the Weak: Eugenics in America discussed the eugenics movement in the United States. The movement pushed positive and negative eugenics in our society. “Positive eugenics” encouraged healthy people to reproduce in order to create a healthier population. “Negative eugenics” encouraged or forced people labeled as unhealthy to become sterilized. Although this movement happened quite some time ago, the beliefs of the movement can still be found in our scientific community and our social lives.

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I decided the best option was to learn more about the situation by sitting down with the parents. If the teacher had any suspicion that Tyrone was being abused at home, she should contact outside services. The philosophical principle that aided in solving this dilemma was rightness of action. As a teacher, if there is any harm inflicted on a child in their classroom it is their obligation to act. In this case the teacher needs to contact outside services because she knows that a child being treated harshly at home is wrong.

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In chapter seven of Genetic Turning Points by James Peterson, the topic of genetic counselors is discussed in terms of their role in the genetic testing process. In my ethical opinion, genetic counselors are a necessary component of the genetic testing process. Without them, ethical lines are more likely to be crossed as I believe more patients would undergo genetic testing without fully understanding what he/ she is giving their consent for and also receive unrequested results. Additionally, I believe that the absence of genetic counselors leads to patients being pressured into receiving tests he/she did not want or ask to take. , and receive unrequested results as well.

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Ethical Considerations in Genetics and Genomics Ethical duties of genetic testing is a challenge among healthcare workers. Ethical dilemmas are created due to situations resulting from genetic testing. Ethical dilemmas is created when genetic testing reveals vital information to a patient and the patient refuses to disclose information to family members that can be affected. Healthcare workers are to protect the privacy of patient’s health records according to the Health Insurance Probability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

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The audience already knows that Blanche is mentally unstable, however in this scene Tennessee Williams uses different techniques to demonstrate how the tension aggravates her case. The scene starts with Blanche dressed in a “somewhat soiled and crumpled white satin evening gown (...) placing the rhinestone tiara on her head”. Blanche is drunk and is trying to persuade herself that she is still young and beautiful by wearing a beautiful gown, however even dressed up she cannot hide her true self; the dress in itself is crumpled and soiled, exactly the way Blanche feels about herself and the reason why she tries to purify herself all the time. The audience perceives Blanche’s mental instability when she sees herself in the mirror. “She catches her breath and slams the mirror”, the mirror represents the reality, it contrasts with Blanche’s mind, in which she lives in a fantasy world where she is still young and unsoiled, the fact that she slams down the mirror shows that Blanche is surprised and repelled by her image and therefore has a mental issue with accepting reality and who she has become.

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In “The Threats from Genetically Modified Foods”, Robin Mather effectively brings awareness to the harmful side effects of genetically modified foods. She shares genetically modified foods are foods with an altered genetic make-up and therefore, is banned in several countries. Also, the pesticides used in genetically modified foods yield harmful side effects to animals and humans. On top of health hazards, the process of labeling these foods are not as costly as the Federal Drug Administration declares. Furthermore, she discredits the FDA’s credibility by revealing the bovine growth hormone (produced in cow’s pituitary glands and is a genetic modification) raises the risk of cancer; although, the FDA approves it.

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The worst part about this method is that the baby will not survive the steps taken to harvest the stem cells. The babies used for this research will never get to experience the joys of life. Just think, a baby used for stem cell research could have become the next President of the United States, but it was never given a chance. The possibilities are endless, but nobody will ever know what the future holds for these children unless embryonic stem cell research is stopped.

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Humanity has been presented with innumerable ethical dilemmas since the beginning of our existence but one that stands out in our modern day is the subject of genetic enhancement. With the rise of genetic technology and widespread use of tampering with embryos genetic enhancement at this point seems like it is going to happen. But using genetics to alter the human condition is something that is widely debated across the globe and people fervently support both sides of the argument; should we use our knowledge of genetics to enhance humans? There seems to be a line drawn where on one side, enhancement is being used to prevent children from having diseases and on the other side, enhancement being used to enhance the rest of human capabilities.

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DNA was the only thing that contributed to a little girl's death one friday night, when she collapsed from a heart attack suddenly. The doctor said it was simply in her genes, but what does that really mean? Certain mutations and differences can transpire in someone's genes which causes particular genetic diseases and variances to occur. By taking samples of a person's DNA, which is what our genes consist of, doctors can determine mutations in genes that can impact specific traits and illnesses. While this is very intriguing to me, I wanted to understand how accurate genetic testing is, and how it affects people's everyday lives.

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From an ethical standpoint, having the procedure done on an infant is a violation of human rights. With no relevant medical reason or facts behind the claimed benefits of the procedure it is merely a cosmetic surgery commonly practiced for spiritual reasons and should not be practiced. Doctors take an oath to do no harm to their patients. They are causing harm and removing perfectly healthy tissue that permanently alters the infant’s

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The Rise of Human Genetic Modification? There are many controversial issues throughout time that have risen and led countries to disagree to with one another worldwide. Eugenics and genetic engineering on humans is a topic that many believe crosses a major ethical boundary. Many scientists and ethicists believe that gene editing on human genes is unethical at certain degrees and it should not be done until the proper precautions have been overlooked and restrictions are made.

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This procedure’s purpose is to switch out genes for more preferred ones, especially to improve the health of the child. Genetic engineering could permit selection of desired physical and pleasurable traits for non-medical reasons, which has created concern in some people. The process of switching out the genes of a fetus to install genes that are more preferred has brought up debate about whether or not parents should be able to alter their babies genes to make them more appealing to the parents interests. There are many different ways of looking at this procedure and in contrast to other scientific procedures it can be for greater good or for unnecessary enhancement that could potentially create problems in society. Designer babies aren’t morally correct or incorrect, but are in between depending on what it is being used for.

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Editing of the human genome in the past has been only a sight seen in dystopia works such as Brave New World. Now, genetic enhancement is a prevalent today and people are beginning to realize the issues that can arise from creating these designer babies. Gene editing can be helpful to eradicate life changing disabilities. Yet, the term disability does not correctly label these differently abled people, as the idea of what is considered disabled has changed overtime. To fully understand the consequences and implications of genetic selection and enhancement of human embryos, society must mature and declare lines of what is and is not ethically moral.

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