Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the building block of life. The backbone of DNA is composed of four different bases: thymine (T), guanine (G), adenine (A), and cytosine (C). Each base is then attached to a phosphate group and a sugar, forming a single nucleotide. Genetic information is encoded by the sequence of nucleotides in the strand; therefore, the quantity and sequence of nucleotides in a strand of DNA differs depending upon the organism. Each base’s chemistry renders it specifically complementary with one other base (A-T and C-G). When two complementary strands of DNA come together, base-pairs form between the nucleotides, resulting in the familiar double-stranded double helix structure. The sequence of nucleotides codes for genetic information through what is known as the “central dogma” of molecular biology (DNA RNA protein). This process in which the sequence of a strand of DNA (a “gene”) is translated into a protein is known as “gene expression.” Ribonucleic acid (RNA), a single-stranded molecule, is formed inside the nucleus with bases complementary to the nucleotide sequence within the strand of DNA being coded for. This process is known as “transcription” because the RNA molecule, through its complementary sequence, is essentially transcribing the nucleotide sequence of the gene located on that specific section of the DNA strand. The RNA strand then exits the nucleus into the cytoplasm of the cell, taking the DNA sequence information along with it. Once outside the nucleus, the RNA strand codes for the formation of a protein. Each group of three nucleotide bases in the RNA sequence codes for one amino acid, the building block of protein. The amino acids bind in sequence to the RNA molecule and in the process bind to each other. After formation along the RNA strand, the protein is and is then released. The sequence of amino acids in the protein determines its function, such as an enzyme, antibody, hormone, or structural molecule.
Mutations in DNA can occur through several mechanisms. Nucleotides can be deleted from or added to the sequence, or they can be in the incorrect order. These mutations can either be hereditary or through environmental factors resulting in DNA damage.
B. GENETIC TESTING
The presence of certain genes can be detected via gene-specific tests.
In order to do this a polymer of DNA “unzips” into its two strands, a coding strand (left strand) and a template strand (right strand). Nucleotides of a molecule known as mRNA (messenger RNA) then temporarily bonds to the template strand and join together in the same way as nucleotides of DNA. Messenger RNA has a similar structure to that of DNA only it is single stranded. Like DNA, mRNA is made up of nucleotides again consisting of a phosphate, a sugar, and an organic nitrogenous base. However, unlike in DNA, the sugar in a nucleotide of mRNA is different (Ribose) and the nitrogenous base Thymine is replaced by a new base found in RNA known as Uracil (U)3b and like Thymine can only bond to its complimentary base Adenine. As a result of how it bonds to the DNA’s template strand, the mRNA strand formed is almost identical to the coding strand of DNA apart from these
Human Genetic Screening and Discrimination in Gattaca. Works Cited Missing A few months ago I watched a movie called Gattaca, which dealt with the issue of genetic discrimination in the near future. In the movie, people were separated into two classes, those that were genetically screened and positively altered before birth and the class that was unaltered. The separate classes had stark divisions, from what jobs that you were able to apply for to where you could eat. Security was aimed at keeping unaltered people away from the enhanced people.
In Gattaca, the plot focuses on the ethics, the risks, and the emotional impact of genetic testing in the nearby future. The film was released in the 90s; yet in the present, the film does not give the impression of science fiction. Today, genetic testing is prevalent in many aspects of the scientific community. This paper will describe genetic testing, its purpose, diagnostic techniques that use genetic testing, relating Huntington’s disease to genetic testing, and the pros and cons of genetic testing.
It is important to note that genes themselves do not cause disease genetic disorders are caused by mutations that make a gene function improperly. For example, when people say that someone has the cystic fibrosis gene, they are usually referring to a mutated version of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator gene, which causes the disease. All people, including those without cystic fibrosis, have a version of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator gene.
The history of harmful eugenic practices, spurring from the Nazi implementations of discrimination towards biologically inferior people has given eugenics a negative stigma (1,Kitcher, 190). Genetic testing, as Kitcher sees it through a minimalistic perspective, should be restrained to aiding future children with extremely low qualities of life (2,Kitcher, 190). He believes that genetic engineering should only be used to avoid disease and illness serving the role of creating a healthier human race. He promotes laissez-faire eugenics, a “hands off” concept that corresponds to three components of eugenic practice, discrimination, coercion and division of traits. It holds the underlying works of genetic testing, accurate information, open access, and freedom of choice. Laissez-faire eugenics promises to enhance reproductive freedom preventing early child death due to genetic disease (3,Kitcher, 198). However there are dangers in Laissez-faire that Kitcher wants to avoid. The first is the historical tendency of population control, eugenics can go from avoiding suffering, to catering to a set of social values that will cause the practice of genetics to become prejudiced, insensitive and superficial. The second is that prenatal testing will become limited to the upper class, leaving the lower class with fewer options, creating biologically driven social barriers. Furthermore the decay of disability support systems due to prenatal testing can lead to an increased pressure to eliminate those unfit for society (4,Kitcher, 214).
Genetic testing has been a very controversial topic. While some people believe that genetic testing is completely right in any situation, others believe that it is completely wrong in any situation. However, both sides prove valid points of why genetic testing is both right and wrong. Genetic testing can be very good when it is being used for helpful reasons. However, genetic testing can also be very bad when it is used for the wrong reasons. Genetic testing is okay to do as long as it is being done for the right reasons and following good moral guidelines.
The Human Genome Project is the largest scientific endeavor undertaken since the Manhattan Project, and, as with the Manhattan Project, the completion of the Human Genome Project has brought to surface many moral and ethical issues concerning the use of the knowledge gained from the project. Although genetic tests for certain diseases have been available for 15 years (Ridley, 1999), the completion of the Human Genome Project will certainly lead to an exponential increase in the number of genetic tests available. Therefore, before genetic testing becomes a routine part of a visit to a doctor's office, the two main questions at the heart of the controversy surrounding genetic testing must be addressed: When should genetic testing be used? And who should have access to the results of genetic tests? As I intend to show, genetic tests should only be used for treatable diseases, and individuals should have the freedom to decide who has access to their test results.
Genetic screening techniques are coming of age and the controversy that surrounds them is growing by the minute. The definition of genetic screenings is as follows: a systematic search for persons with a specific genotype. These tests that look into the essence of humanity, will allow scientist and physicians the opportunity and ability to alter the human genotype for better or worse. Genetic advancements will bring controversy at every milestone. Genetic Screening usually takes place when an individu al or group shows risk for a disease or trait. Genetic testing can pinpoint a specific allelic interaction or multiple gene interactions, which may lead to a disorder. The common thread of life is DNA and DNA is the only major requirement for genetic sc reening. With knowledge of structure and function of DNA scientists can unlock the mysteries of life.
Many things are changing at an extremely rapid rate in our society. The new advances in the areas of science and biotechnology are raising many ethical and moral dilemmas for everyone. No one will be left unaffected. Everyone will have to make a decision and take a stand on these issues. I will discuss advancements of genetic screening and testing. The first step to any ethical problem is to understand the topic. It is difficult to formulate accurate ideas without knowledge about the topic, so first I will provide a little background information on genetic screening. I will then point out some of the areas of controversy associated with genetic screening, and finally I will discuss my view on the topic.
Five year old Jacob Turner is a healthy boy without many cares in this world. His father takes sole care of him because his mother died suddenly. Genetic testing after death, showed a genetic mutation in Jacob's mothers genes that caused her to have an irregular heart. Unfortunately, Jacob has also inherited this mutation, but fortunately, this disorder can be controlled by medications. Now, Jacob's father has another problem. No insurance company will cover young Jacob because of his known heart irregularity.
Morris, D. T. (1993). Cost containment and reproductive autonomy: Prenatal genetic screening and the American health security act of 1993. American Journal of Law & Medicine, 20, 295-316.
In today’s world, people are learning a great deal in the rapidly growing and developing fields of science and technology. Almost each day, an individual can see or hear about new discoveries and advances in these fields of study. One science that is rapidly progressing is genetic testing; a valuable science that promotes prevention efforts for genetically susceptible people and provides new strategies for disease management. Unnaturally, and morally wrong, genetic testing is a controversial science that manipulates human ethics. Although genetic testing has enormous advantages, the uncertainties of genetic testing will depreciate our quality of life, and thereby result in psychological burden, discrimination, and abortion.
Genetic testing, also known as screening, is a rapidly advancing new scientific field that can potentially revolutionize not only the world of medicine, but many aspects of our lives. Genetic screening is the sequencing of human DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may prove pathological. As genetic screening becomes more advanced and easily accessible, it presents society with difficult questions that must be asked about the boundaries of science and to what degree we are allowed to tamper with the human genome. To better understand the potential impact of genetic screening on our society, we must examine the potential benefits in comparison to the possible negative impact it may cause. With this knowledge in hand, we can examine what the future holds for this field of study and the best possible direction to take.
A genetic mutation is a permanent change in the sequence of the DNA that makes up a gene. A mutation of these sorts can be caused by either inheritance from the parent or caused sometime during the life of someone. The mutation that has been inherited is called a germline mutation. Germline mutations affect virtually the entire body, and they seem to be present in every cell. A somatic mutation, or one that is caused in the DNA of a single cell sometime during the life, can be caused by an environmental factor or a wrong bonding in the DNA molecule. These cannot be passed down to the next generation of children because they occur in a specific cell as opposed to in a reproductive cell. Some mutations occur in the embryo as it is growing. These may occur during cell division, and some of the cells may or may not inherit this mutation. Some mutations are extremely rare, and others are incredibly common. Those that occur in more than one percent across a population are considered polymorphisms. Polymorphisms are considered normal variations in DNA, and they are known to cause simple changes such as variations in blood types and hair color. Although these are not typically fatal, they can influence the creation of some disorders (Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, USA.gov, 2013).
Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies the changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a genetic condition and if it can be passed on. I feel that genetic testing’s pros outweigh the cons. The physical risks of the genetic testing are very small. A positive result of genetic testing can help a person maintain prevention, and treatment options. Some test results can also help people make decisions about having children. Newborn genetic screenings can help identify genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as early as possible so that the unwanted gene will not pass on.