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...
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Park, Madison. “ NCAA genetic screening rule sparks discrimination concerns.” 2010, August 4. Web. Oct. 5, 2013.
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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.
Studies to make the process quicker and cleaner are under development.... ... middle of paper ... ... Insurance providers and other holders of genetic information should be prohibited from releasing genetic information (Hudson, 1998). Guidelines like these need to be formed into a federal law that people can pass in one way or another so that we can be protected from the various forms of discrimination that is possible with this kind of information.
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
Brooks, Jamie D., King, Meredith L., (2008). Geneticizing Disease. Implications for Racial Health Disparities. Center for American Progress. Progressive Ideas for a Strong, Just, and Free America. Retrieved from https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/downloads/2008_geneticizing_disease.pdf
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.
There are many types of genetic tests that are administered to the adult population. The more commonly used genetic tests are paternity tests, genealogical tests, and forensic testing. They are quite self-explanatory; paternity tests are to determine relatedness of 2 subjects, genealogical tests are used to formulate a heritage or ancestry, and forensic testing is used to identify or rule out a person that has been charged with a crime. Other genetic tests include presymptomatic testing, used to determine the risk someone has to developing a genetic disorder, diagnostic screening, used to rule out or identify a suspected condition, and carrier screening, used to determine if an individual carries one copy of a gene mutati...
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).
"Using DNA to Solve Crimes." U.S. Department of Justice: National Institute of Justice. (September 9, 2014). Web. 29 May 2015.
...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).
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.
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.
Do you want to know what the future holds? What if you were told you were adopted and know nothing about your families background would you take the opportunity to get genetically tested to see if later on in your life you could have a genetic disorder that was passed down to you? Genetic Screening is a preceptor for future complications in a genetic line, a means of creating time allowance to do fetal surgery; making it a medical marvel and causing future generations to be healthier and able to live longer lives. Genetic screening is an assessment of an individual’s genetic makeup to detect inheritable defects that may be transmitted to offspring.
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 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