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). Doctors, hospitals and other care providers dispute that they should have access to the medical records and other health information of any patient citing that they need this information to provide the best possible treatment for proper planning. Insurers on the other hand claim they must have personal health information in order to properly process claims and pay for the care. They also insist that this will provide protection against fraud. Government authorities make the same arguments saying that in providing taxpayer-funded coverage to its citizens, it has the right to know what it is paying for and to protect against fraud and abuse. Researchers both medical and none nonmedical have the same argument saying that they need access to these information so as to improve the quality of care, conduct studies that will make healthcare more effective and produce new products and therapies (Easthope 2005). All these arguments when analyzed are valid. This has brought about ethics issues that are involved with increased use and r... ... middle of paper ... ... lives (Richmond et al. 2009). The state should take the responsibility of coming up with laws and regulations on access and use of gene information. The information should be under the custody of the federal government and it should be coded and encrypted for security reasons. Any one in need of this information should approach the federal agency responsible. Works Cited Easthope, G., 2005. Alternative Medicines. In: Germov, ed. An Introduction to Health Sociology. Melbourne :Oxford University Press, pp. 332-348. Richmond, K. and Germov, J., 2009. Sociology of Health Promotion. In: Germov, ed. An Introduction to Health Sociology. Melbourne: Oxford University Press, pp. 476-499. Willis, E., 2009. The Human Genome Project: A Sociology of Medical Technology. In: Germov, ed. An Introduction to Health Sociology. Melbourne :Oxford University Press, pp. 328-341.
The PBS documentary “Nova – Cracking Your Genetic Code” tells about the genome sequencing technology: its current possibilities, advantages, disadvantages and future potential. The system became cheaper, faster and more available since the first human genome was fully sequenced in 2000. Modern companies use the technology to provide clients with the information about their genes and impacts they can have on owners’ health. Hospitals can provide more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatments with the aid of the genome sequencing. The video shows several examples of these benefits. But it mentions concerns about the quality of services, risks of exaggerated
In the movie Gattaca, a futuristic world is illustrated where people have the opportunity to choose the exact personality traits, physical features, and abilities their baby will have. One scene in the movie shows how DNA can be used to test for one’s inclination towards disease, as well as personality. This brings up several ethical issues about investigating others’ DNA, and brings up the question: “Is this a violation of privacy?”
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.
The age of genetic technology has arrived. Thanks to genetic technological advancements, medical practitioners, with the help of genetic profiling, will be able to better diagnose patients and design individual tailored treatments; doctors will be able to discern which medications and treatments will be most beneficial and produce the fewest adverse side effects. Rationally designed vaccines have been created to provide optimal protection against infections. Food scientists have hopes of genetically altering crops to increase food production, and therefore mitigate global hunger. Law enforcement officers find that their job is made easier through the advancement of forensics; forensics is yet another contribution of genetic technology. Doctors have the ability to identify “high-risk” babies before they are born, which enables them to be better prepared in the delivery room. Additionally, oncologists are able to improve survival rates of cancer patients by administering genetically engineered changes in malignant tumors; these changes result in an increased immune response by the individual. With more than fifty years of research, and billions of dollars, scientists have uncovered methods to improve and prolong human life and the possibilities offered by gene therapy and genetic technology are increasing daily.
Tannahill, A., Tannahill, C., & Downie, R. S. (1999) Health Promotion. Models and Values. Oxford University Press.
The debate over the importance of a Human Genome Project can be cleared up by looking at what the human genome actually is, and why knowing its DNA sequence can be beneficial to the scientific and the human community. The human genome is made up of about three billion base pairs, which contain about 100,000 genes. The 100,000 genes in the 46 human chromosomes only account for a small total of the DNA in our genome. Approximately 10 percent of our DNA make up these genes in our genome, these genes are what is actually encoded for and used by our body to make vital proteins needed for everyday life. The remaining 90 percent of our three billion base pairs are repeated sequences between genes that do not encode for any particular product. These repeated sequences account for the reason why 99 percent of any humans DNA is identical to another human's (1). With this knowledge many people believe it is not worth the time or money to sequence the entire human genome when only a small percent is used to encode for proteins. However, by sequencing the whole genome researchers will no longer have to do a needle in the haystack type of search for small genes, like the one found on chromosome four that is responsible for Huntington's disease (4). Also, knowing the complete human DNA sequence will allow scientists to determine the role and importance of the repeated DNA, non-protein encoding, sequences in our body.
Throughout the years many people have asked the same question, ‘What is Genomics and is it really ethical?’ Genomics has been seen as unethical and it is largely frowned upon in many societies today but scientists believe otherwise. Genomics has recently become a major breakthrough for scientists and they are working on many ways to show the world that it is in no way unethical and could benefit us and generations to come. Genomics is the study of a genome which is the complete set of DNA in organisms. In this field, specialists go through thorough efforts to determine the entire DNA sequence of an organism and map out its genetics. With this information scientist are able to study the genes that are involved in diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart diseases and possibly find a way to alter them so that those types of serious diseases may be avoidable for future generations. Fred Sanger was the first man to originate Genomics when he sequenced the genomes of a virus and of a mitochondrion, him and his group established different genomic techniques of sequencing between 1970 and 1980. From 1970 till know Genomics has grown into The Genomic Science Programme which falls under The Human Genome Project and both are led by the National Human Genome Research Institute in America and in April 2003 this project was successfully completed with a high-quality version of the full human genome available for public view.
In conclusion, claiming possession of someone's genes is like taking an ownership of a part of their body. Patenting genes is unethical and causes for a significant amount of the population to be unable to afford medical treatment. Genes are part of nature, and not man-made inventions which should be protected.
The science fiction movie Gattaca reveals how human nature is replaced by the advance technology through the genome manipulation. Knowing an individual’s complete genome violate the human rights and freedom, which is not acceptable then and now. In the film, the society judges people’s social levels and their full potential by testing their DNA whether is manipulated or not. If everyone’s genomes were exposed to the world, the society would immediately distinguish and criticize people only from their genome, which is not equitable and respectable to human nature. Also, people would classify each other in work fields, schools, health care systems, and even between family members. The film depicts that every individual was monitored since they
DNA profiles can reveal personal information about present and future health, as well as genetic disorders not yet known to the individual (Should DNA testing be conducted without the consent of the subject? 2002, p.1). DNA also ‘contains information with implications for that person’s family’ (Should DNA testing be conducted without the consent of the subject? 2002, p.1). It can provide information about an individual and their genetic relatives, especially in regard to paternity and non-paternity, adoption, or artificial reproduction. This ‘familial and predictive’ nature of DNA emphasises the need to keep genetic information entirely disclosed to the individual to whom it belongs (Should DNA testing be conducted without the consent of the subject? 2002, p.1). The establishment of DNA databases for all citizens, however, can heavily threaten this right to
Health promotion is a multifaceted movement with a core value on respect, empowerment, equity, inclusion and social justice (MacDougall 2002). Aims to achieve holistic health, while it is influenced by medical and social determinants. These determinants which aids to deter...
The human genome project is something that I have been very interested with ever since first learning of it. I had heard bits and pieces of what it is about, but my interest was greatly stimulated by Dr. Whited in basic genetics 311 last spring. The discussion that we had regarding the project left me with several ideas and questions about not only the process and ethics involved, but the future of the study of genetics as a whole.
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 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.
...rom now we will be able to use and identify how we can properly and ethically produce such beings. Not only producing the ideal perfect human gene is beneficial, but learning how to prevent certain illnesses and experiment with new medications that will make living longer. Collecting broad amounts of data throughout the world of all types of generations and professions, we can create a DNA encrypted code that should be closely regulated based on genetic manipulation, not to hurt the society, but to slowly help people at a realistic rate. The way the future is looking is promising towards a better way of life and if we keep heading down this road to our idea of perfection, supervision is needed to stabilize populations where genetic altering is placed and for every human in society to have an opportunity to be placed in a type of gene category for future evaluations.