Cracking Your Genetic Code: A Review of Genetic Testing 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. Genetic testing Description of genetic testing By using identified gene mutations that are known to cause diseases, asymptomatic individuals are able to discover if they are at risk for specific genetic conditions; this is known as genetic testing. Unfortunately, genetic testing can vary in its predictive ability. For example, Huntington disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Fragile X syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 are conditions that can be determined by genetic testing (Samen, 1996). In contrast, for multifaceted diseases like Alzheimer’s, breast and ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer, predisposition can be determined with genetic testing. However, an absolute diagnosis of those diseases cannot be made (Heshka et al., 2008). Examples of genetic testing in “Cracking Your Genetic Code” In the film, two contrasting examples of genetic testing are shown. The first example is of the twins Noah and Alexis Beery, who are stricken with a rare disease that mimics cerebral palsy. Through genetic testing, doctors discovered that the twins could be treated with dopamine. By sequencing their entire genome, the twin’s lives were saved. The second example is Andrew S... ... middle of paper ... ...10.1097/GIM.0b013e31815f524f Holt, S. (Director) (2012). Cracking your genetic code [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/cracking-your-genetic-code.html Samen, F. (1996). Human genetic testing. North Dakota State University , Retrieved from http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students/firas.htm 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 Walker, F. (2007). Huntington’s disease. The Lancet. 369, 218-228. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60111-1 What are the risks and limitations of genetic testing?. (2014, April 21). Genetics Home Reference, Retrieved from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/riskslimitations
“The highest rated science program on TV called NOVA made a documentary surrounding genomic testing called, Cracking Your Genetic Code (NOVA, 2008).” This documentary demonstrated and described different techniques of what is genetic testing, how genetic testing is performed, and all the individuals whom benefit from these special DNA techniques. What is DNA? “DNA is material that governs inheritance of eye color, hair color and many other human and animal traits (Riley, 2005).” DNA is developed from the pairing of genes from a female and male gametes (Health & Prenancy, 2012). These gametes fuse together during mitosis and meiosis, getting 23 chromosomes from each parent, in order, to develop an embryo. In this embryo is DNA. DNA is made of 4 different amino acids, in which, are the building blocks for DNA and they are A, T, G, & C. These building blocks have base pairing in a series of sequences and this sequence is what makes up genes. Genes are codes that can read in this sequence to determine what kind of traits offspring is going to have. Through genes DNA testing can be perform to find mistakes. In this documentary, many different genetic testing were performed and some may agree that this can be very controversy because some people will rather not know certain things unless there are signs or symptoms. However, others find this DNA testing as an advantage and knowing this information can prepare them for the “what if” factor. In my research, I will be discussing what genetic testing is, what it provides, what the benefits are, the risks, and what companies provide genomic testing.
Genetic testing involves examining an individual’s DNA and identifying abnormalities within the chemical makeup of specific structures. It, essentially, maps the person’s genome and can be interpreted to predict future issues. By analyzing the chromosome, genes, and even certain proteins, physicians and researchers can find changes that lead to inheritable disorders. These changes can lead to possible diagnosis or cure for the disorder in question. In most cases, genetic testing is used to determine the probability that an individual will develop a certain disorder. It is not used to specifically diagnose a disorder, as there are no techniques that are 100% accurate. Genetic testing techniques do give good evidence to confirm a physician’s findings, but it is not the first act a physician takes to diagnose a disorder. It can narrow a search or rule out a specific disorder very confidently, but making a diagnosis based solely on genetic testing is not an action that a qualified medical professional would consider.
Testing of one kind or another has always been very common in the job application process, whether it’s the testing of one’s skill sets through an application or drug testing. Now, through scientific advances of the Human Genome Project, a new type of testing has become available to employers: genetic testing. This new sort of testing would detect any genetic problems in a potential employee’s DNA, including genetic predisposition for disease and possible health concerns in the future. Genetic testing could be beneficial to companies monetarily, as it would be a way to screen their employees for long term, damaging factors which could be expensive for the company. The legal right to do so, however, is a controversial issue in the business world. Many people regard it as an invasion of privacy, an open invitation for bias in hiring pools, and a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (French). Genetic testing could be used in both the hiring process, and as an attempt for companies to cater to their employees’ needs. It could also, however, be used as a tool of discrimination against those with minor or major genetic abnormalities. Many ethical issues are raised: does a person have a right to anonymity in their DNA? Should employers discriminate against those with genetic problems, a factor out of the subject’s control? These disputes and more are what make genetic testing in the workplace a contentious topic today. Unless an act, such as the Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance and Employment Act, is passed, discrimination will run rampant through the job market, injuring the modern employee in the process. Despite the quantity of information about employees that could be retriev...
A genetic test can help a person prepare for the future. For instance, if a couple wanted to have kids and they knew a disease like sickle cell ran in the family they may consider getting a genetic test. They would be able to find out whether or not they ar...
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.
The desire to have a "normal" child is held by every parent and only now are we beginning to have the ability to select for that child. In preparation to receiving genetic testing, the parents are required to meet with a genetic counselor. A detailed description of the testing methods are reviewed with the couple as well as the risks which are involved with each. Upon an understanding of the procedures, the counselor discusses the many possible outcomes which could be the result of the diagnosis. Finally, before any tests are performed, anxieties from either of the parents are addressed as well as the psychological well-being of the parents.
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.
The variety of genetic tests has greatly expanded and becoming increasingly accessible with the advances in science and technology. Genetic testing can have important consequences for the health of an individual, influencing their decision to take difficult, life-changing decisions on high-risk health issues such as undergoing a preventive mastectomy if they test for the BRCA gene mutation. While there are existing regulation and oversight to promote the quality of laboratories involved in clinical testing, there is a need customise and enhance the regulations specific for clinical genetic testing.
Although genetic testing can benefit society in numerous ways, such as the diagnosis of vulnerabilities to inherited diseases and ancestry verification, it also has the precarious capability to become a tool in selecting a more favorable genetic makeup of an individuals and ultimately cloning humans. Genetic testing will depreciate our quality of life and may result in discrimination, invasion of privacy, and harmful gene therapy.
After reading the articles “ Why we should think twice about giving genetics tests to our kids.” and “Genetic testing for kids : is it a good idea? Studies show that when a parent makes the decision for the kid without their consent , and the test shows that they have an incurable diseases. Kids go through life worrying about it . Kids also should be able to at least make one decision on their own without a parent making them do something they don’t want to do.
This informative essay suggests what genetic screening is through the use of examples and rhetorical questions, offering a unique perspective when comparing it to various articles. While it does not include specific facts
Genetic testing has become very popular as technology has improved, and has opened many doors in the scientific community. Genetic testing first started in 1866 by a scientist known as, Gregor Mendel, when he published his work on pea plants. The rest was history after his eyes opening experiments on pea plants. However, like any other scientific discovery, it bought conflicts which caused major controversies and a large population disagreed with the concept of playing with the genetic codes of human beings. Playing God was the main argument that people argument that people had against genetics. genetic testing became one of the major conflicts conflicts to talk about, due to the fact that parents could now have the option of deciding if they
Genetic testing by employers is where DNA, proteins and any other chromosomes are detected for any mutations. The aim in this is to find any forms of cancer, sickle cell or other diseases. When it comes to being employed, it helps to forecast any illnesses that is followed by the temptation for employers to decide whether hiring is worth it based on the information from the testing. The test provides only a little amount of information about the condition the person being employed has inherited. It can not provide information about whether or not the person will show symptoms or whether it will affect the job. “Genetic mutations can have harmful, beneficial, neutral (no effect), or uncertain effects on health. Mutations that are harmful may increase a person's chance, or risk, of developing a disease such as cancer. Overall, inherited mutations are thought to play a role in about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers.”(8) Throughout my essay i will state the implications of Genetic testing in the workplace, the different viewpoints on genetic testing (both for and against, my personal opinion of the topic and strategies that could work in various forms.
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.
Genetic testing negatively affects millions of lives. For example, negative test results may trigger awful emotions. To tell the truth testing may cost too much for the average person. Additionally, these screenings are not full body reviews. However, considering these genetic test affects, these should be prohibited by agencies offering the tests for everyone’s life.