...With the incredible advancement in genetic testing, the issue of confidentiality and privacy has also garnered a lot of attention. Especially regarding hereditary genetic testing, the ethical debate of whether or not to disclose information to immediate family members has been a topic of debate. This is a source of great ethical dilemma for the genetic counselor, since the discovery of a hereditary genetic mutation can affect the immediate family members of the patient. An individual’s decision to withhold medical results and information from biological family members must be respected, but the utility of the results in potentially helping at risk family members must also be considered. However, further exploration of this issue shows that respecting the autonomy of the patient is the ethical...
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...“Inappropriate genetic testing can threaten individual autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality and lead to various types of genetic stigmatization and discrimination without any commensurate benefit for the individual tested,” (Brandt; Rauf, 2004). When Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) tested their employees without the employees knowing about it, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stepped in and cited that BNSF violated the employee’s equal rights through discrimination and the employee’s rights of privacy. These actions “raise serious concerns that such testing could pose a significant threat to workers' privacy, autonomy, and dignity. Thus, defining the ethically, legally, and socially appropriate and inappropriate uses of genetic testing in the workplace,” (DEHS, 2001) presents a major breach in a workers legal right to privacy. One hundred and twenty-five BNSF employees filed on-the-job injury claims citing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for “years of repetitive activity such as wielding a wrench or operating a jackhammer,” (Lehrer, 2001; UNK, 2001). While investigating these claims, BNSF medical doctor required further testing of 20 employees (UNK, 2001). The medical company pulled blood for genetic testing without telling the BNSF employees what kind of test that they were performing, (Mahanna, 2001; Schafer, 2001; BNSF, 2002; Lehrer, 2001; Lewin, 2002). One employee refused to submit to the tests and BNSF threatened to terminate his job (Lewin;...
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...E Poole Beecham English 101 10059 19 April 2010 Genetic Testing Imagine choosing your daughter to have high intelligence. No one would fault the parents for giving their daughter this advantage for life. Parents can make the decision to use any safe drug or therapy to enhance their future children to make them smarter, better, stronger, to increase their intelligence, height, or other traits (Zane). Testing for medical tendencies to screen and reduce the possibility of future illness or diseases is now feasible. Genetic testing can enhance and improve lives with immeasurable benefits. The rewards of this testing outweigh any reservations. Genetic testing are examinations of blood and other tissues of the body that doctors in the medical field prepare to test for possible defects of the body. These DNA based tests generally involves direct examination of the DNA molecule itself and are very sophisticated techniques of testing genetic disorders in the bodies of human beings. Prenatal genetic testing with the procedure of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD is a technique whereby testing is performed of an approximate three-day-old embryo to confirm that it does not carry a particular disease or diseases (Naik). The test predicts, with variable confidence, what the possible medical problems will be in the future. Then the doctor implants this embryo, which is free of that syndrome, in the mother's womb. It appears to be relatively easy to check the DNA and eliminate...
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...to find more information about Genetic Screening for Diseases and Disorders:"FAQ About Genetic Testing." FAQ About Genetic Testing. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Dec. 2013. http://www.genome.gov/19516567You can find reliable, and more information here at this website because it goes into specific detail about genetic screening, what it is exactly, and the break down of genetic screening. All need to access is a computer and just type in the URL above."Genetic Testing." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2013. <http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/genetics.htmlIf you want more information on Genetic screening during pregnancy this is a great site to visit. It is very broad, but helpful. Great help for the future. The book below has a little section in it that has information about genetic screening that could help.Teichler-Zallen, Doris. "Genetic Screening and Testing." To Test or Not to Test: A Guide to Genetic Screening and Risk. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers UP, 2008. N. page. Print. | | | MLA Work Citation"First Trimester Screen." American Pregnancy Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.http://americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/firstscreen.html"Genetic Screening and Diagnostics." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2013. "Genetic Testing." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2013.<http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/genetics.html>."Health 101: Genetic Testing Before & During Pregnancy."...
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...Genetic Testing and College Athletes On April 13, 2010, the NCAA made tests for Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) mandatory, effective in August 2010. SCT is a condition where the blood cells are elongated and potentially block blood flow and resist bonding to oxygen. The trait is generally benign but becomes active under extreme physical stress. For athletes, when performing strenuous activities, the trait is sometimes triggered and can potentially cause death. The statute states “student-athletes must be tested for sickle cell trait, show proof of a prior test or sign a waiver releasing an institution from liability if they decline to be tested.”(Brutlag, 2010) SCT genetic testing and NCAA regulations were implemented in order to protect student athletes, but the testing raises questions of who should receive the test results, the use of the results in discrimination against affected athletes and its potential to be cascade towards excessive genetic testing. In the current legislation, the results from an athletes test are given to the school, the coach and the athlete. This disclosure policy has the potential to be used to discriminate against those who are afflicted with SCT. Although the athlete has the option to opt out of testing initially once they have the test, the disclosure to the school and coaching staff is automatic. The test results should be first given to the student, and then they should have the option to waive liability and not disclose to the university...
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...These cancers include, uterine, ovarian, urinary tract, breast, stomach, liver, kidney, small bowel, prostate, pancreatic and bile duct cancers. (Cancer.net , 2013) Before the genetic testing Jane already had a strong family history of colon cancer in her family. Her maternal grandmother, mother, and brother all have had colon cancer in the past. Once Jane and her mother completed genetic testing it was determined that they both contained the mutated gene MLHI that caused lynch syndrome. Each first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) of a person with Lynch syndrome has a 50% risk of carrying the gene mutation and should be offered genetic counseling and testing. (Lynch Syndrome Screening Network, 2012) With the information given we are able to determine which family members have a 50% chance of having the gene mutation responsible for Lynch syndrome. Jane and her...
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...Genetic and Reproductive Sciences Abstract This paper is based on genetic and reproductive science and their benefits and limitations regarding individuals, families, and society. The paper covers the screening and treatment for diabetes and what methods are used to prevent it development. The paper also contains information regarding In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and its benefits for individuals and families. The use stems cells and its advantages and disadvantages are also mentioned. Analyze the benefits and limitations of genetic and reproductive sciences for individuals, families, and society. The benefit of genetic science for individuals is that it can determine if the person has a possible genetic disorder and give them a better chance at preventing the disorder from becoming active, monitor the disorder, or treat the disorder. For example, diabetes is a genetic disorder that can be discovered through genetic testing. Lifestyle changes such as exercising and lowering their body mass index (BMI) can prevent someone for developing diabetes, and the testing can monitor diabetes if a person develops it. Diabetes can also be treated by the use of insulin and dieting if monitored correctly. The limitation of genetic science for individuals is the emotional outcome of the test results. Some people may get upset and begin to feel guilty, depressed, or even become anxious once they receive their results (Cho, et al., 2012). The benefits of genetic science...
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...Ethical Issues in Genetic Testing Source: Lea, D. H., Williams, J., & Donahue, M. P. (2005). Ethical issues in genetic testing. Journal of midwifery & Women’s health, 50(3), 234-240. 1. Introduction Since Watson and Crick describe the structure of DNA in 1953, recent advances of technology have provided genetists a powerful tool to better understand the role of human genome in human diseases (Watson & Crick, 1953). Consequently, genetic testing has been becoming popular in clinical settings to identify underlying risk for disease in individual and family members. However, the outburst of genetic tests have led to some ethical issues arising from the ability to identify disease-associated genes. This article gives an overview of ethical theories...
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...There a number of factors pertaining to genetic mapping and testing for future health problems that can create dilemmas for both the patient and the health care providers. There is always uncertainty and numerous variables when genes pose the probability of predisposition to certain diseases. As to the procedure in which this problem is addressed one needs “To uncover the patient’s genetic background.” In cases of certain types of cancer, for example, there are four specific traits that suggest it is a wise course to take upon genetic testing of the patients’ family members. This is possible in 60% to 95% of the families of cancer patients. The predictions of genetic testing can reduce apprehension and uncertainly of the tested patient. This predictive genetic testing can be a stress reduces for those who have a family history of hereditary disease. Profound anxiety may occur when gray shades pertaining to the uncertainty of a gene cells propensity to carry a serious disease exists within the family history. This stressful mental frame of is a dilemma unto itself, so psychological counseling may be necessary for some patients. Psychological counseling may apply for ton’s illnesses such as hunting disease (a neuro degenerative disease) as well as certain hereditary forms of cancer and some hereditary heart diseases. “The psychological counseling should be tailored to the specific characteristics of the disease.” A disease with no known care such as Huntington’s disease needs...
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...Running head: ANALYSIS OF ETHICAL DILEMMA Analysis of Ethical Dilemma Deanna Romain Grand Canyon University Ethical Decision Making in Health Care NRS 437V Jennifer Wood August 28, 2011 Analysis of Ethical Dilemma Is gender selection of a fetus ethical? With new advances in reproductive technology, parents can not only find out if their embryo has genetic abnormalities, they can also find out the gender of their embryo. The ethical dilemma is whether or not one should be able to choose their child’s gender before implantation. Some compare this method of gender selection to human cloning. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is the testing of the chromosomes of the embryo to determine genetic abnormalities and gender prior to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). In the United States, gender selection by PGD is considered a violation of ethical practices for non-medical purposes (Akchurin, n.d.) CNN.com reported recently that a new blood test has been discovered which can determine the sex of a fetus as early as seven weeks gestation. This achievement was reported in the Journal of American Medical Association in August. This technology is already starting ethical debates fearing parents will use this technology for sex determination and abort healthy fetuses (Ravitsky, 2011). This new technology could also be beneficial in determining gender if their child is at risk for a sex-linked disease such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or hemophilia. In China and India, there...
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...Ethics of Genetic Testing during Pregnancy Professor: Date: Recent advancement in technology has enhanced genetic disorder screening by clinicians for women during pregnancy. Information obtained through screening is used to prevent the diseases that are caused by these genetic disorders (DJ Tester, 2011). However, this information is not obtained directly but requires mastery of new genetic disorders and finding a solution to ethical dilemmas that may result from screening and testing. Ethics principles and theories provide the basics for solving any ethical problems that may arise during genetic testing (Dale Halsey Lea, Janet Williams, & M. Patricia Donahue, 2005). One for the theories that is recognized is Utilitarianism developed by John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham. It mainly focuses on happiness associated from the consequences and differentiates the good from the bad (Peter Harper, 1997). The acts that are right are the ones that produce happiness to most people. It continues to insist that a good sometimes need to be sacrificed. For example, a baby that is born impairment would rather be killed than live as a burden. Another theory is Deontological theory developed by Immanuel Kant and differentiates the good from the bad and insists obedience to duty as the moral of rightness. A right action is one that is carried with good intentions and consequences do not matter. Respect is also highly emphasized in this approach and is interpreted...
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...How could some presymptomatic testing be considered toxic for the individual testing, especially testing at an early age? Nevertheless, many parents seek genetic testing of their children, especially for situations in which a genetic disease is known to be present in the family. They may have different reasons for wanting their children tested. These requests create a dilemma for pediatricians. The dilemmas arise, in part, because not all “adult-onset” diseases are alike. Sometimes, there are interventions that may be beneficial in childhood; sometimes, parents seek the reassurance that might come with a negative test result. The requirements for the diagnosis of Huntington's disease (HD) include medical history, family history, neurological examination, brain imaging testing (including magnetic resonance imaging or MRI and computerized tomography or CT), laboratory tests, and genetic testing (when necessary). Side Effects: • MRI: Small children have to be sedated because they must lay PERFECTLY still (which little kids aren't willing to do) for up to 45 minutes (impossible for even the most patient children), and the machine can freak them out. (It's loud and a very small space.) Side effects of the drugs are sleepiness (obviously), nausea, vomiting, irratibility. Sometime headaches and temporary light sensitivity, but it's rare and depends on the drug they use. • CT scans (also known as CAT scans) create 3-dimensional pictures using ionizing radiation. On a daily basis...
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...Professor 07/26/2015 Chromosome Number Four The purpose of this paper is to explore the association of crisis intervention relative to nursing and genetics related to Huntington’s disease (HD). The focus will touch on several different topics associated with pre-emptive testing, pregnancy, educational barriers, strengths, signs and symptoms related to the potential of having an aneuploidy fetus. Also, the importance of time sensitive decisions during pregnancy, social support for potential results, financial resources and hardship related to testing. Additionally, the potential for impaired early on-set compromised cognitive functioning linked to Huntington’s disease. Finally, incorporating the expanded role of the professional nursing scope, practice, and ethical dilemmas associated with Huntington’s disease. Chorea a Brief History Huntington-Chorea was identified in 1872 as a rare inherited disorder secondary to “Chorea” jerky uncontrolled movements (Mandal, 2014). Chorea is Greek in origin and defined as “dancing in unison” (Merck Manual, 2015). 1872 the jerky movements were thought to be divine intervention or demon possession that required a type of exorcism to expel (Jumreornvong, 2015). Additionally, with the evolution of genetics in 1983 according to the US-Venezuela Huntington Disease Collaborative Research Project an approximate location of the gene was identified (Mandal, 2014). Likewise, in 1993 the precise...
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...of Beyond the Genome The articles “Beyond the Genome”, and “DNA Dilemmas” explores the positive and negative characteristics of genetic research in the 1990’s and beyond. The authors use ethical principles, case studies, and opinion poles from various age groups to assemble public reaction to what is emerging as a very complex issue in our society today. They ponder the questions of intervention vs. non-intervention in specific case studies about paternalism, dwarfism, privacy, and flawed gene heredity relating to retardation. In two of the cases, aborting the unborn fetus is at issue if the genetic test results do not favor the parents wishes for the child. This raises health, ethical, and legal arguments which are traditionally at cross-purposes. The issues even hearken back to Roe v. Wade whereby the reason to abort is indisputable. On the other hand, terminating an otherwise healthy fetus can be viewed as selective childbirth, not unlike “the abortion of female fetuses in China”. Having knowledge of what is to come, even in the future of the child’s life is making the difference. More parents are being told genetically determined information about their unborn and existing children, which prior to the advances in the last five years they had no access to. The case relating to paternity is purely a moral one. It focuses on the question of whether incidental information which is generated by genetic testing, outside of what has been requested, should be divulged or not....
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...The Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing: The link of the pros and cons of genetic testing was placed forward not ot argue either way of ya or nay of one side, but more to inform the reader of the advantages. The most important message to take away from this passage is genetic testing is a choice. Whether the author believed genetic testing to be moral or immoral has no place in this article. Genetic testing has many advantages such as early detection of mental and physical defects of a child before birth. This gives parents a way to either terminate the pregnancy to avoid paying the extra money because of low wages or no insurance or to avoid the child going through a life of suffering. It also gives the family time to prepare if they so should choose to keep the child. The article concludes by informing us nothing is certain. You could have a perfectly healthy child that passes with SIDS or have an unhealthy child that live to a lengthy age, which leaves some room for doubts and disadvantages of genetic testing. The textbook explains genetic testing by using the term Genetic Counseling which helps potential parents know the likeliness of having a child with a genetic or chromosomal disorder. The book references counselors being well trained to asses responses from potential parents. Words such as facts, risk, and probability are viewed as sensitive words, and the doctors should be trained well to not mislead and or help to cope with words such as these. There are also 2 ethical...
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