...PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING Running Head: PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING Prenatal Genetic Testing and The Ethical Controversies SBI3U 15 April 2015 1 PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING 2 Prenatal Genetic Testing and The Ethical Controversies Introduction Every introduction should start with a shocking fact about the topic, generally to piqué the interest of the reader. The problem is, surrounding the topic of prenatal genetic testing, there isn’t anything that is particularly shocking or interesting anymore. Anything that has a potential to injure a ‘helpless’ fetus, the public has already been informed of and the information has already been extremely exaggerated. The myth of prenatal genetic testing being dangerous has been greatly over told, and is a rather old notion according to a great number of medical journals such as: United States National Library (Gates, 2009), UConn (Pennington, 2011), and many others listed in the references page. Prenatal genetic testing is the process of testing for potential genetic disorders or defects. Doctors and geneticist can now test for over 4000 diseases that are caused or influenced by a fetus’ genetic makeup. The tests can be invasive or noninvasive, and the risks associated with both categories of tests have been greatly reduced since genetic testing was first introduced to modern medicine. Although the ...
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...Genetic testing is currently available for more than 1000 conditions, and it is increasingly considered an integral component of mainstream health care (Burke, 2004). Furthermore, many genetic tests are now being marketed directly to consumers. The increased availability of genetic testing may result in a wider distribution of the benefits of testing, such as decreased uncertainty, the chance to avoid passing on a gene mutation to future generations, increased psychological well-being, and greater awareness of available treatments or risk-reducing strategies, but it may also contribute to an increase in the risks associated with genetic testing, such as decreased individual and family well-being; increased depression, anxiety, guilt, stigmatization, discrimination, and family conflict; and unnecessary or inappropriate use of risk-reducing options (Riper & Gallo, 2005). Money is maybe the most important driving force in the modern era of biotechnology. Genome and genetic findings have been given also financial value. The possibility to test for genetically-based individual susceptibility provides new ideas for marketable products. In an industrial worker, a metabolic polymorphism that causes an increased risk for cancer would create an avoidable financial burden in industry and insurance companies. The involvement of such financial aspects brings along several ethical implications in genetic research. The first aspect is the motivation of scientists that...
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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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...definition, is the ethics of medical and biological research. There are a number of bioethical issues that are being carefully addressed as they arise. Some are easily remedied and some still remain very controversial. In this paper we will explore the use of genetic trait testing, access to genetic information as well as the issue of vaccinating or not. With regards to bioethical related data the accessing, storing, gathering, and sharing medical data for the purpose of using the data for the scientific purpose of research is still a controversial issue in the scientific community. There is no basic problem with sharing medical data electronically, with the implementation of EHR, electronic health records. However, there is yet to be formal ethical guidelines established for the use of this data in the biological sciences community. There have been guidelines introduced for developing ethical principles with the ultimate goal of winning over the scientific community to incorporate the use of this data into their existing code of ethics. The scientific community has an obligation to share this data, if permitted by the patient, for research purposes. It also can be a major factor that could increase the trust of the public with regards to scientific research. Society also had concerns about employers having access to genetic information. (Duke & Porter, 2013) With the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) employers are prohibited to use this information...
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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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...Running head: GENETIC DISEASE DIAGNOSIS, SCREENING, TREATMENT Genetic Disease Diagnosis, Screening, Treatment, Advocacy and Decision Making Linda Jefferson Western Governors University Contemporary Nursing Issues GNT1 December 16, 2012 Genetic Disease Diagnosis, Screening, Treatment, Advocacy and Decision Making Generally speaking, a pregnancy in today’s society is met with varying emotions ranging from devastation and fear to joy and excitement. Some expectant parents have conceived on accident, some carefully planned. Some expectant parents have conceived with no problems; while others have had difficulty. These parents often find themselves trying different methods and spending a great deal of their finances to increase their chances of conceiving. With that being the case, it is often devastating to finally conceive and find out that your child has a birth defect or a disease such as Tay Sachs. Tay Sachs is a genetic condition, usually found in Caucasians, and primarily those of Jewish descent, and develops in 25% of cases when both parents carry the recessive gene (National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases [NTSAD], n.d.). It’s a neurological disorder that effects brain development. Development of infants afflicted with this disease appears normal at first but soon deterioration of the child’s mental and physical abilities becomes apparent. This deterioration continues until most children afflicted with Tay-Sachs lose their battle for life...
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...Institutional Affiliation: Introduction Integration of genetics into public health is essential in predicting patient risk for common diseases. Genetic research creates new information and technology that will assist in improving population health. Most of the ailments arise from the interactions among the environmental factors, human factors as well as genetics. Public health genomics will assist in disease prevention and health improvement to individuals who are at a higher risk due to their genetic makeup (Khoury, 2000). Health professionals by applying genetic research are everyday coming up with new discoveries in areas like birth defects, heart diseases and cancer improving health services for the public (Brand A, 2006). However, there is no need to allocate significant resources on genomics for public health. Resources Spent On Genomics for Public Health Significant resources should not be allocated to genomics for public health. This is because genetic research is not necessary beneficial to all individuals. It mostly applies to specific persons due to their genetic makeup. Pubic health sector can prioritize by establishing which genetic research will be most beneficial to the population as a whole. The rest of the diseases are left out since their effects are not adverse. There is also the risk of possible misuse of genetic information (Laberge, 2004). Newborn genetic screening discovers treatable genetic disorders in newborn babies. Newborn screening for phenylketonuria...
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...Genetic testing is a scientific process in which an individual’s DNA can be screened for mutations or variations that may cause certain diseases or dysfunctions. It is my opinion that standard genetic testing for disease or the predisposition to disease is purely beneficial. Having clear answers as to whether or not a person may carry a higher risk for some diseases may in fact save their life, or the lives of their current or future children. However, over the years of development of the science, more and more controversial types of testing have developed. In this paper, the science of genetic testing will be introduced by going through a brief history, the different types of genetic testing available, as well as the controversies that surround them. History Genetic testing had a very positive and productive start. The first usage of Genetic Testing occurred over half a century ago, beginning with the testing of infants for PKU, or Phenylketonuria, “an inborn error of metabolism in which an amino acid buildup in the blood causes mental retardation.” (Lewis) To test infants, a drop of blood was taken from their heel while at the hospital after birth. If a child was found positive for PKU, dietary treatment was used to prevent loss of brain function. Testing was reliable and results were accurate. The disease being tested for was easily treatable, and every child that came through was tested without a problem. (Lewis) In the 1970’s, doctors began the process of testing...
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...1) Ethical and conceptual issues Current research and research results It is increasingly recognized that within many areas (e.g., disability and handicap), conceptual issues and ethical issues about proper conduct and underlying values are highly intergrated. The treatment of ethical and policy issues depends on the content of the concepts employed and, at the same time, many central concepts are informed by moral opinions and, as a result, contested on ethical grounds. Taking this intergration of conceptual and ethical issues seriously from a research point of view requires that they are very strongly interconnected, i.e. mere studies of the way in which concepts are in fact informed by moral opinions and social values is not siffucient. Outright normative analyses of underlying ethical views need to underpin suggestions with regard to the way in which central concepts should be employed in policy contexts. This has been recognised in research on the basic ethical issue of what should be seen as the basic determinant of the quality of life or well-being (Brülde 1998, 2006), as well as research on applied ethics of relevance for disability (Brülde 2003; Munthe 1996, 1999; Juth 2005; Juth & Munthe 2006), and concepts such as happiness, health, illness, and mental disorder (Brülde 2000, 2006a, 2006b). Research on several of the conceptual issues has demonstrated how they are strongly connected to ethical problems related to health care policies and public health practices...
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...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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... Introduction Genetic profiling for the public has been around for a few decades but it has already changed many people’s lives. However, though it has many benefits an ethical issue arises should someone have the duty to disclose their genetic information to someone who may be at risk. In this essay, the issue of disclosure will be discussed, it will be broken down into 3 main topics: the advantages and disadvantages of genetic profiling; disclosing genetic information to family members and finally disclosing genetic information in the work place. This essay will then prove in its conclusion that there though there are ethical objections to disclosing genetic information there is a greater moral duty to show information. 1.1. Definition of genetic profiling Genetic profiling is also called DNA and genetic finger printing. According to the glossary of the National Human Genome Research Institute (n.d., n.p) the definition is “Genetic testing is a laboratory test to look for genetic variations associated with a disease. The results of a genetic test can be used to confirm or rule out a suspected genetic disease or to decide the likelihood of a person passing on a mutation to their offspring.” 2. Genetic Profiling and Ethics 2.1 Advantages of genetic profiling and ethics Even though genetic profiling is still relatively new, its positive outcomes can already be seen in the world around us. A layman’s example would be the use of genetic testing to discover the true...
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...Individuals should possess ownership of their genetic information. From a legal, ethical, and social standpoint, it is wrong to force someone, unwillingly, into sharing their DNA. Socially, the release of one’s DNA may cause tension and angst between family members. Legally, it is unrealistic to assume that shared genetic information will always end up in the right hands. Many argue over who is legally responsible for test results. Aside from laws regarding doctor patient confidentiality, individuals should the legal owner of their results....
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...The Limits on Genetic Testing There are many arguments out there that need have the concerns of many Americans including the one that will be presented today. The biggest one in the world of science and technology is possibly genetic testing. Genetic testing has so many possibilities in the today’s society that there are legal, social, and ethical problems that allow it to stay at bay. There is fine line that should be drawn when it comes to genetic testing especially when it comes to healthcare and when it leads to vanity. Genetic testing examines a person's genetic code by using a sample of blood or other body fluids/tissues, for health or medical identification purposes; it’s also a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins (Genetic Testing). The Human Genome Project, human cloning and stem cell research are all part of this group. Genetic cloning is the reproduction of a new organism that is, at all stages of development, genetically virtually identical to a currently existing, or previously existing, being (Clone). Stem cell is an unspecialized cell that gives rise to a specific specialized cell, such as a blood cell, and they have the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells (Stem Cell). The Human Genome Project was an international research effort to determine the sequence of the human genome and identify the genes that it contains. The Human Genome Project formally began in 1990...
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...Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic and Reproductive Sciences One of the biggest ethical debates surrounding genetic and reproductive sciences is abortion. When parents decide to have genetic testing done, the results may require them to make a decision whether continue with the pregnancy or to terminate. Even for a wanted pregnancy, the decision to terminate a baby who has the potential for a disability is devastating and stressful. There are arguments against prenatal testing and abortion regarding the ethicality. Arguments generally revolve around fetal rights and disability rights (Stapleton, 2017). According to Stapleton (2017), the option for abortion may be provided based on the results of genetic testing, therefore, being unethical in...
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...Abstract Advances in human genetic testing have led to ground-breaking discoveries. However, the field is still in its infancy leading to new discoveries daily. This paper will identify and examine the roles of the multi-disciplinary team to deal with a family’s diagnosis of Tay Sach’s disease in their unborn child. It will also include a teaching plan designed for this family and examine the ethical implications of the availability of personal genetic information. There is also a Reflection piece dealing with how I would feel about the family’s decision ad how I would advocate for their decision. It will also examine the ethical and legal considerations of continuing a pregnancy after a diagnosis of Tay Sach’s. Genetics Case Study Family Ethics and Beliefs guide the Trosack family in the initial decision making process but they will need education and support in order to effectively care for their child and cope with the diagnosis of Tay Sach’s. Many resources are needed to properly care for this family and an interdisciplinary team is required to ensure that as many needs can be met as possible. Interdisciplinary Team Members: 1. Case Manager: The Case Manager is essential to planning and coordinating other disciplines to assist the Trosack family. The Case Manager can provide information on care during pregnancy, and also care and resources available in the community after discharge home. The Case Manager can assist in finding appropriate physicians for the child...
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