Genetic screening has been a subject of debate for quite some time now. Beginning in the 1990s, when it became prevalent owing to the increasing research into the cause of diseases (Chadwick, 1). Screening brought advantages— the chance to see what diseases or cancers one may be at risk for, an opportunity to take a glimpse inside of one’s personal genome (Tree.com). However, as genetic screening became more and more common, it brought with it just as many disadvantages. Genetic screening found its way into corporate boardrooms and insurance companies, creating large amounts of discrimination against employees where genetic make-up revealed a disposition to certain diseases. Despite acts prohibiting genetic discrimination, such as the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA), insurance companies today still use results from genetic screening tests to deny people medical coverage that they need (Hill). Insurance companies should not be permitted to use genetic screening in their application process as it creates discrimination against the individual as well as entire races, and the information is not reliable. Genetic screening is a process created in the 1990s, which allowed anyone to have his or her genome mapped out and carefully studied for signs of hereditary diseases and cancer. Typically, it is used to detect only recessive or heterozygote diseases such as Tay Sachs Disease and Cystic Fibrosis, and today is applied to predisposition testing for multifactorial diseases of larger populations (Chadwick, 1). Most commonly, the DNA is taken from blood samples or a mouth swab and is then sent to a lab which takes apart the person’s genetic information and records it letter for letter. Today, five diffe... ... middle of paper ... ...alition. “Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer.” 2005-2013. Web. Oct. 5, 2013. Park, Madison. “ NCAA genetic screening rule sparks discrimination concerns.” 2010, August 4. Web. Oct. 5, 2013. Pray, Leslie. “DTC Genetic Testing: 23andMe, DNA Direct and Genelex.” 2008. Web. Sept. 5, 2013. Pupecki, Sandra R. Genetic Screening. May 11, 2006. Web. Sept. 9, 2013. Reichman, Judith. “Can a Genetic Test Affect My Health Insurance?” 2007 June 4. Web. Oct. 8, 2013. Rochman, Bonnie. “Why Cheaper Genetic Testing Could Cost Us a Fortune.” 2012 Oct 26. Web. Oct. 6, 2013. Sagredo, Boris. “Genetic Screening The Social Impact of Genetic Knowldege.” NA. Web. Sept. 6, 2013 Schwartz, Ruth. Hereditary and Hope: The Case of Genetic Screening. May 2008. Web (Book). Sept. 7, 2013. Tree. Com. “The Pros and Cons of DNA Genetic Testing.” 2011. Web. Sept. 4, 2013.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway was asked by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to “stop testing its employees for genetic defects as part of a workplace discrimination settlement”. (Schafer, 2001) This comes as a result of over 30 employees being tested without their knowledge or consent that genetic testing was being conducted using some of their blood samples provided during their physicals. This is the first case initiated against a company and a groundbreaking one when it comes to genetic testing.
Advantages of genetic testing may be helpful in determining whether or not you have a disease or are proba...
Teutch, S., & Tuckson, R. Department of Health & Human Services, (2008). U.S. system of oversight of genetic testing: A response to the charge of the secretary of health and human services. Retrieved from website: http://osp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/SACGHS_oversight_report.pdf
Genetic Screening comes with a lot of pros and cons. It's great for people who come from families with a common disease because there is a chance that genetic screening will inform them whether or not they have that disease. Unfortunately, the outcome is not 100% accurate. Therefore, the results aren't always necessarily true. Those who choose to go under the screening and receive great results are very lucky because they were saved from going through the difficult process of taming a disease. Those who go under the testing and do not receive good
Imagine being discriminated because of something beyond your control. This type of discrimination is called genetic discrimination which is when one is discriminated and or treated differently by their employment or insurance company because of their genetic makeup (National Institutes of Health). The phobia of genetic discrimination is gripping many people around the world. People find themselves asking, “Could my genetic makeup raise my health bills? Could this cause me to be rejected from a career opportunity?” Because of genetic discrimination, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was created. The purpose of this act is to protect Americans from being treated unfairly because of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. Although this law was created, genetic discrimination still happens today. Genetic discrimination may exist for potential reasons but it is still inequitable and wrong due to its negative effect on society and the great harm it can cause.
The genetic technology revolution has proved to be both a blessing and a blight. The Human Genome Project is aimed at mapping and sequencing the entire human genome. DNA chips are loaded with information about human genes. The chip reveals specific information about the individuals’ health and genetic makeup (Richmond & Germov 2009).The technology has been described as a milestone by many in that it facilitates research, screening, and treatment of genetic conditions. However, there have been fears that the technology permits a reduction in privacy when the information is disclosed. Many argue that genetic information can also be used unfairly to discriminate against or stigmatize individuals (Willis 2009).
Samantha French, Genetic Testing in the Workplace: The Employer’s Coin Toss, Duke Law & Technology Review 1-13 (2002)
Within the past thirty years, researchers have found strong evidence linking genes and disease. The development of predictive genetic tests followed shortly after the isolation of certain candidate genes. Although predictive genetic screening is only available for a handful of diseases, its effects and ramifications have become hotly debated issues in a wide range of areas, from government to religion. The debate began in the 1993 when researchers isolated the BRCA1 gene, which is associated with increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The discovery of this gene led to excitement and speculation of developing a predictive genetic test to identify those women at risk for these cancers. In this paper, I will first describe the biology of genetic testing, and then discuss the pros and cons of predictive genetic testing.
Prenatal genetic testing has become one of the largest and most influencial advances in clinical genetics today. "Of the over 4000 genetic traits which have been distinguished to date, more than 300 are identifiable via prenatal genetic testing" (Morris, 1993). Every year, thousands of couples are subjecting their lives to the results of prenatal tests. For some, the information may be a sigh of relief, for others a tear of terror. The psychological effects following a prenatal test can be devastating, leaving the woman with a decision which will affect the rest of her life.
Murphy, Samantha. "Genetic Tests Debate: Is Too Much Info Bad for Your Health?"LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 19 Dec. 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
In today’s world, nothing is private; not even personal genetic information. Results from genetic testing can be accessed by employers and insurance companies. Until the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was passed in 2008, employers could deny people jobs and insurance companies could raise their rates solely based a person’s genetic makeup, even if someone is
...etic tests, I believe that both before and after genetic tests individuals should be required to meet with genetic counselors that help explain the test and interpret the results. Finally, although legislation preventing insurance and employment discrimination based on a person's genetic makeup already exists in many states, I think that additional laws need to be enacted that deny insurance companies and employers access to genetic information without a person's consent. As Matt Ridley (1999) states, a person's genome is his or her "own property," and people should be given complete freedom to decide to whom to disclose their genetic information (p. 269).
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.
Genetic testing has become a highly controversial issue among both the general population and the scientific community. It is a process that exposes a person’s entire genome sequence, allowing it to be read and evaluated to identify potential risks for genetic diseases or diseases that could be passed onto offspring (Holt Productions, 2012). With thousands of genetic tests already being used, and more being established, it seems logical to put this growing technology to use. Some agree that it is a person’s right to know and understand his or her genetic makeup. However, others argue that, despite the benefits of genetic testing, caution should be used to carefully inspect the risks associated with this new technology.
... idea to take part in. Genetic testing can lead to a global preparation for parents to look out for their children. The genetic test results can determine so much for the children and what they might get passed down to them whether its diabetes, cancer, or any other illness or disease.