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The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Testing

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The history of DNA testing goes as far back as the 1920s when scientists first identified blood types in humans, which was initially used for medical procedures. Through the 1990’s other relevant blood typing procedures were used to identify individuals, as in forensics, biological relationships, as well as targeting specific regions were mutations or markers are found. In the 2000’s scientist developed different types of genetic tests to identify ancestry, predisposition to genetic medical and/or mental diseases (The History of DNA, 2018). This recent advance in genetic testing provides people with information about their health and can help them make informed decision about managing their health, as well as lifestyle changes or deciding not to have children if you discover that you are a carrier of a genetic disorder. The test itself has no physical risks. However, emotional, social, or …show more content…

Therefore, society needs to be careful and not allow genetic testing to diminish our right to privacy and confidentiality. Genetic testing can provide only limited information about an inherited condition and cannot conclude if or when a person will show signs of a disorder or its severity (National Library of Medicine, 2018). The majority of diseases can be attributed to environmental factors, including occupation, diet, and lifestyle (Genetic Information and the Workplace, 1998). While genetic testing can provide valuable information for individuals with known family history of cancers or other diseases, the pros and cons for the tests need to be carefully weighed, the information shared wisely and carefully protected. “Alleviating the fear was one of the primary purposes of GINA, so that we would all benefit from these advances in genetic medicine, rather than having to hide from them (Shapiro,

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And although, these privacy protections did not cover genetic information, 12 years later congress passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) to fill the gap. (Stump) The National Institute of Health’s (NIH) now requires strict ethical standards including informed consent from all researchers seeking funding. These are steps in the right direction but just like anyone working in the medical field would tell you, there is still more to be done to ensure complete patient privacy and informed consent is the norm in every branch within the medical community. Whereas it took many years for the medical community to acknowledge the violations and origin of Henrietta’s cells it reassuring to see the progress that has been made to stamp out bad ethical behaviors.

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Paper 2 A person who owns a small portion of someone's genes may be the deciding factor on whether a person's illness is further researched or put on hold. Should a person be given this much power over our very genes inside us whose research could save lives and cure diseases? A physician, Michael Crichton, who wrote “Patenting Life” and a economist, John Calfee, who wrote “Decoding the Use of Gene Patents” both discuss this medicinal dilemma.

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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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In the article, “Tighter Access To ‘Death Master File’ Has Researchers Worried,” Brian Naylor addresses how identity theft by obtaining personal documentation may lead to fraud. The Social Security Administration (SSA) possesses a record of over 50 million names of deceased Americans which is known as the “Death Master File” (Naylor 2). Families and services relating to a person’s death inform the SSA about the deceased’s “... Social Security number, name and dates of birth and death” (Naylor 3). Once the SSA receives the person’s data, the organization ensures “...checks don 't go out to the deceased, while survivors get the benefits they are entitled to” (Naylor 3).

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“Genetic Testing and Secrets” In the article “Secrets of the Grave” it talks about how genetic testing can raise questions relating to the ethical way of getting genetic information and other questions relating to those they are testing. It can also lead to the use of and collection of questionable products such as jewelry with a famous persons DNA in it. This has lead policymakers to start to question the ethics of Biohistory, meaning whether a relative should be asked if genetic testing is ok or if the products being sold are appropriate. Scientist can use Biohistory which is the combination of biological testing and history.

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American was pro Eugenics. America practiced eugenics many years befor germany. By 1928 there were 376 separate university courses in leading schools around the u.s.. America had a lot of funding from various groups including the rockefellers, carnegie institution,harriman railroad fortune, In 1897 michigan was the state to introduce compulsory sterilization but the bill fail to pass. In 1905 pennsylvania state passed its compulsory sterilization bill which was vetoed by the governor

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The purpose of this essay is to determine whether it was an appropriate decision to strip Jonathan Jackson of his job because of his genetic disorder, Haemophilia. They believe that Jonathan Jackson will be unable to function in his role as an air traffic controller. It will also investigate whether their employers should be given the right to make decisions based on their medical information from their DNA and then make this information available to other future employers. Haemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder in which the blood doesn 't clot normally. If someone has haemophilia, they may bleed for a longer time than others after an injury.

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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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After reading the articles,”Why We Should Think Twice About Giving Genetic Tests to Our Kids” ,by Michael White, and “Genetic Testing for Kids:Is It a Good Idea?”, by Bonnie Rochman, parents should not give these tests to their children. If the children did take the test the result would outway the benefits, they would have anxiety, and the testing doesn’t always work. One main reason that a child should not the test is ,they could have anxiety for the rest of their lives. If a child took the genetic test they could learn they have a deadly disease they don’t know about yet.

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Jessica Boddy emphasizes the importance of gene testing and early screenings as they could result in early discovery and lead to better results and less treatment, she states, “The test results could help guide treatment, as well as future efforts to prevent more cancer.” In addition, Boddy encourages gene testing and awareness of the potential inheritance of harmful mutations. She implores, “BRCA mutations have a 1-in-2 chance of being passed down from parent to child, a patient carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 is likely to pass it down to further generations as well”(Boddy). Ultimately, any of these reasons could influence an individual's decision to pursue or dismiss genetic testing. One must weigh their potential risk with their psychological resilience to determine if the information a BRCA gene test may provide would benefit their

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Along with just getting information, a great thing that comes with the results of genetic testing is a peace of mind, that uncertainty is reduced about certain diseases and you can go on with living your

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Bioethics Essay 1 Sam Vallentine – 430211968 – 2015 Is genetic testing a threat to the rights of disabled people? Genetic testing is not a threat to the rights of disabled people because it does not necessarily imply any negative sentiments towards people with disability. Investigating genetic trait possibilities, diseases or disabilities in unborn infants, children, or adults does not directly threaten the integrity, autonomy, or inherent value of disabled members of society because simply looking for or knowing about such traits is not directly linked to eradicating or ‘curing’ carriers of them. Although medical practice policies and social customs surrounding the use of the information gained from genetic testing can potentially be a threat to the rights of the disabled, they can also be a source of aid and strengthening for disabled people, therefore it is an unsupported assumption that genetic testing poses a direct threat to disabled people’s rights. Many conditions can be tested for by analysis of someone’s

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Eugenics is the science of using artificial selection to improve genetic features of the population. It is thought that improvement of the human race can be seen through sterilization of people who exhibit undesirable traits and selective breeding. Often called Social Darwinism, the concept was widely accepted during the time of World War I. It quickly became a taboo after World War II when Nazi Germany used it as an excuse for genocide. The thought of improving the human race by manipulating who is allowed to breed can either be appalling or compelling.

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DNA in Forensic Science DNA is the carrier of genetic information in humans and other living organisms. It has become a very useful tool in forensic science since it was discovered. In forensic science, DNA testing is used to compare the genetic structure of two individuals to establish whether there is a genetic relationship between them. One example of the use of DNA in forensic science that is important in biology today is comparing a suspect’s DNA profile to DNA that was discovered at a crime scene.

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Is Genetic engineering Safe? Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism’s genetic composition by artificial means, often involving the transfer of specific traits, or genes, from one organism into a plant or animal of an entirely different species. Human beings ought to consider the pros and cons of genetic engineering before using it. It is a contentious topic because people have different views of weather genetic engineering is safe or not.

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