Currently, the studies of genomics and genetics have made many medical advances. Genomics is the study of genes and their function within the human body. The study of genomics has the potential to diagnose a possible health risk. With this knowledge, ethical issues have generated many questions by healthcare professionals. The issue with genomics is confidentiality and privacy surrounding genetic testing. The purpose of this paper will be to explore the ethical issues involved with the use of genetic information and patient confidentiality of two family members presented in a case study of the work of Lea (2008).
In the case study of Lea (2008), Mrs. Joan Smith is a 43 year-old female. Recently, Mrs. Smith received genetic testing at her family
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As a nurse, does one have an ethical duty to protect Mrs. Smith’s privacy at all cost or does the nurse have an ethical duty to act in the best interest of the uniformed sister? Legally, this type of disclosure is a major Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA] violation. The law states that Mrs. Smith’s privacy and confidentiality take priority over Mrs. Smith’s sister. Due to the law, the nurse cannot reveal any information without consent from Mrs. Smith. If the nurse does, she could potentially lose her job and license to practice. Ethically however, the nurse must act in the best interest of the uniformed sister. The uninformed sister has a one in two chance of carrying the genetic mutation for breast/ovarian cancer. The nurse has the possibility to save the uninformed sister’s life. This takes priority over Mrs. Smith’s confidentiality and …show more content…
According to Butts and Rich (2013), Communitarian is an approach that promotes what is best for the community, rather than one individual. According to this theory, anyone who has a genetic mutation should be aware. Achieving the least amount of harm requires everyone within the community to be aware of their possible genetic mutation (Butts & Rich, 2013).
The third ethical theory that supports the uninformed sister is virtue ethics. According to Butts and Rich (2013), virtue ethics addresses the question of what kind of person one must be to become an excellent person. Courage, truthfulness, benevolence, compassion, fidelity, generosity, and patience are example of virtues (Butts & Rich, 2013). According to this theory the nurse should be truthful and have courage to tell the uninformed sister of her possible genetic mutation. The nurse’s truthfulness can save the uninformed sister’s life (Butts & Rich,
A person's individuality begins at conception and develops throughout life. These natural developments can now be changed through genetically engineering a human embryo. Through this process, gender, eye and hair color, height, medical disorders, and many more qualities can be changed. I believe genetically engineering a human embryo is corrupt because it is morally unacceptable, violates the child's rights, and creates an even more divided society.
The nurse should not inform the patient of her leukemia. The nurse has not been observing the patient long enough to use her assumption that the patient is mentally sound as a means to justify telling the patient stressful information. The nurse ought to follow the physicians instruction to refrain from giving the patient news about their chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This resolution follows with my own moral intuitions. If someone is not in a healthy mental state, it would not be morally permissible to provide information to that person which could cause their mental state to worsen. Although in most cases it is obligatory for a moral agent to always tell the whole truth in accordance with the prima facie principle of honesty, the principle of beneficence in moral situations similar to this one overrides the principle of honesty. One’s own health and well-being is more important than answering their questions to the fullest knowledge
The more we know about genetics and the building blocks of life the closer we get to being capable of cloning a human. The study of chromosomes and DNA strains has been going on for years. In 1990, the Unites States Government founded the Human Genome Project (HGP). This program was to research and study the estimated 80,000 human genes and determine the sequences of 3 billion DNA molecules. Knowing and being able to examine each sequence could change how humans respond to diseases, viruses, and toxins common to everyday life. With the technology of today the HGP expects to have a blueprint of all human DNA sequences by the spring of 2000. This accomplishment, even though not cloning, presents other new issues for individuals and society. For this reason the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) was brought in to identify and address these issues. They operate to secure the individuals rights to those who contribute DNA samples for studies. The ELSI, being the biggest bioethics program, has to decide on important factors when an individual’s personal DNA is calculated. Such factors would include; who would have access to the information, who controls and protects the information and when to use it? Along with these concerns, the ESLI tries to prepare for the estimated impacts that genetic advances could be responsible for in the near future. The availability of such information is becoming to broad and one needs to be concerned where society is going with it.
In Body Rituals of the Nacirema, Horace Miner demonstrates through his study of the North American tribe Nacirema that “attitudes about the body” have a significant influence of human behavior within the people and can give a glimpse into some of the most extreme behaviours humans can reach. He argues that the beliefs and practices of the Nacirema, which have a sort of magical connotation, are so bizarre that members assume an extreme in human behavior is very easily within their community. The Nacirema, a North American tribe of people whose origins are ambiguously tracked to some place within the continent, are a people who practice rituals incessantly on the basis of the human body, perceived negative aspects of the body, and countering
Genetic Family History Assessment All nurses, no matter where they practice, need to have proper training in genomics and genetics to provide the best information to clients regarding recognition, prevention, and/or treatment of diseases (Thompson & Brooks, 2011). Genetic family history can help clients discover the unique patterns of health and illness within their family. In this paper, I will complete a Genetic/Genomic Nursing Assessment using the information found in Kaakinen, Coehlo, Steele, Tabacco, & Hanson’s text (2015) in Box 7-7 (p. 198). I will identify three generations of a family, analyze the genetic health risks, and consider nursing strategies for this family. The woman featured in my genetic assessment will be referred to as LG.
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...
In today’s modern age science is moving at a rapid pace; one of those scientific fields that has taken the largest leaps is that of genetics. When genetics first comes to mind, many of us think of it as a type of science fiction, or a mystical dream. Yet genetics is here, it is real, and has numerous ethical implications.
Barnett, Wilson J.(1986). Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing. Journal of Medical Ethics. Retrieved on 12th July 2010 from
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).
By establishing a code of ethics the nursing profession provides a framework for judgment calls dealing with these difficult situations. This set of moral principals sets a standard for thinking through ethical problems, which ultimately helps nurses settle these types of issues. These ethical nursing dilemmas usually arise from disagreements in personal values and social issues that regard the decisions or beliefs of patients. The objective is to come to a common understanding which upholds the best interest of the patient while reinforcing the personal values of the healthcare professional.
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.
Allen, B., (1994). Predictive genetic testing: ethical, legal and social implications. USA Today Nov 1994:66-69. Reference 2.
As a nurse, it is within your role to safeguard the right to privacy for individuals. To ensure that nurses are adhering to this, ethical strategies have been proposed and implemented from a legal and regulatory body.
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.
[Cover: discussion about how risks are balanced during risk assessment, why this is a difficult task -> proposing a set of principles and practical measures that might assist both researchers and patients, to enable more informed decisions about risk]