...Is genetic engineering ethically right? Genetic engineering was first discovered in the 1970’s and since then ethical questions been raised regarding the process and results. Some people are excited by the possibilities of genetic engineering while others believe the process is unethical and should be banned as they claim scientists are ‘playing god’. Ethics is the philosophical study of what is morally right or wrong. It is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. Philosophers tend to divide ethical theories into three areas; meta-ethics, normative ethics and applied ethics. This was first done by David Hume the philosopher who argued how we should look at ethical situations. “Meta-ethics looks at the meaning of language used in ethics, and raises questions about truth. Normative ethics tries to find practical moral standards that we can all live our lives by. These are also called ethical theories. Applied ethics is the application of theories about whether something is right or wrong in specific issues.” Distance Learning Centre, Ethics Pack, 2012. In the 1960’s a professor, Joseph Fletcher founded the theory Situation Ethics. In Situation Ethics right and wrong depend on the situation. There are no universal moral rules or rights, each case is unique and deserves a unique solution. “Situation Ethics is all about agape or love. You should always do the most loving thing” Distance Learning Centre, Ethics Pack, 2012. There...
Words: 2519 - Pages: 11
...The What If Factor In “Ethics and the New Genetics” , the Dalai Lama is concerned about society being able to follow and uphold a moral compass while our technological capabilities advance, which is extremely easy and practical for a religious leader to say. What if the Dalai Lama is extremely wrong and biased in his outlook on what the world will look like after such major medical advances? The Dalai Lama says there may be many consequences of science on culture and society. In all reality, consequences will never be known unless; these medical and technological advances are introduced and tried out. Consequences and effects play a very major role in science; it is all trial and error. The Dalai Lama may try to give the good and bad sides of these advances; however, they are vague and cannot be taken as the “doctrine” or “moral compass” for society. The Dalai Lama comes from Tibet, a place where people are not as nearly as modern or technologically advanced as Americans or other world powers. Tibetans have totally different priorities, morals and outlooks on life. So, how could the Dalai Lama expect for modernized people to follow his guidance when he comes from a background that lives for the future and not the present? In reality, the world is having so many medical and social issues now, from the swine flu outbreak to the present state of our economy. Do we forget about these present issues and just focus on a future world that may not even be here in the near future...
Words: 1615 - Pages: 7
...Lisa O’Neil Ethics and Genetic Engineering Essay Ethics are part of our everyday decisions, in order to be ethical we need to firstly understand the basis of ethics. The word ‘Ethics’ comes from the greek word ‘ethikos’ which relates to the customary way to behave in society. Ethics is a branch of philosophy dates back to before 367 b.c. Famously in the history of ethics and philosophy were ‘’The Three Wise Greek Men’’ Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Socrates was a teacher of philosophy and Plato was Socrates student for approximately ten years, and when Socrates died, Aristophanes became Plato's student. Aristotle views were that ‘’ethics is a virtue of happiness, and that the pursuit of virtue is the highest and noblest aim for a human being’’ . Aristotle can be seen as saying ‘’ Nobody would choose to live without friends even if they had everything else they desired ‘’ (quoted from The Puzzle of Ethics- Peter Vardy pg 31). Socrates took a practical view on ethics, he was concerned with ‘’how an individual would live in order to achieve happiness’’. Socrates can be seem as saying; ‘’Think hard enough and you will always find that doing the right thing is best for you ‘’ ( quoted in Peter singers A companion to Ethics, Blackwell p. 125 ). Plato's view was much more in depth and most famously contradicts Socrates work. Plato believes ethics is ‘’ knowledge is the virtue of happiness ‘’ . Plato can be seen as saying ‘’ If you believe something is right than its right...
Words: 3690 - Pages: 15
...reasoning in this way provides no information about the content of our moral beliefs now. While our capacity for moral reasoning may have evolved for the purpose of informing our otherwise unjustifiable acts with a sense of objective certitude, it is not hard to imagine that this capacity, once evolved, would be capable of much more than simply rubber stamping mankind's collective genetic predisposition. In this paper, I will use the example of an evolutionary explanation against intentional killing for personal gain to argue for the existence of a disconnect between evolutionary biology and ethics. Ruse and Wilson might argue that human beings evolved with a genetic predisposition against murder for convenience. It is easy to see how this might be true. A person who kills others for convenience must live apart from society and apart from potential mates or else must be killed by society. This epigenetic rule �predisposes us to think that certain courses of action are right and certain courses of action are wrong (180).� These motivate ethical premises which �are the peculiar products of genetic history� and can �be...
Words: 1900 - Pages: 8
...GENETIC COUNSELING IN NURSING AND ETHICS Hyang Ko Azusa Pacific University Abstract The current development of genetic information and technique leaves us assignments. It is included ethical issues, roles of nurses, and the responsibilities in healthcare professionals. In order to understand nurses’ role and responsibilities and to provide genetic counseling, two research article with text books were reviewed. There were conflicts within ethical principles and nurses’ obligation. Each principle is important but one principle is superior to others when healthcare professionals make a decision in a certain context. It is necessary that genetic counseling is provided to patients and their family when healthcare professionals deal with genetic information. The two research articles empathized that experienced nurses are excellent candidates in genetic counseling within healthcare professionals by being educated, trained about genetic information. Genetic Counseling in Nursing and Ethics Definitions of Genetics and Genetic Counseling Officially, the terms of Genetics and genetic counseling is defined by Wekipidia as below: Genetics, a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetics). Genetic counseling is the process by which patients or relatives, at risk of an inherited disorder, are advised of the consequences and nature of the disorder, the probability of developing or transmitting...
Words: 2137 - Pages: 9
...Ethics of Genetic Testing during Pregnancy Professor: Date: Recent advancement in technology has enhanced genetic disorder screening by clinicians for women during pregnancy. Information obtained through screening is used to prevent the diseases that are caused by these genetic disorders (DJ Tester, 2011). However, this information is not obtained directly but requires mastery of new genetic disorders and finding a solution to ethical dilemmas that may result from screening and testing. Ethics principles and theories provide the basics for solving any ethical problems that may arise during genetic testing (Dale Halsey Lea, Janet Williams, & M. Patricia Donahue, 2005). One for the theories that is recognized is Utilitarianism developed by John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham. It mainly focuses on happiness associated from the consequences and differentiates the good from the bad (Peter Harper, 1997). The acts that are right are the ones that produce happiness to most people. It continues to insist that a good sometimes need to be sacrificed. For example, a baby that is born impairment would rather be killed than live as a burden. Another theory is Deontological theory developed by Immanuel Kant and differentiates the good from the bad and insists obedience to duty as the moral of rightness. A right action is one that is carried with good intentions and consequences do not matter. Respect is also highly emphasized in this approach and is interpreted...
Words: 689 - Pages: 3
...(Campbell) Haggard Bioethics, by definition, is the ethics of medical and biological research. There are a number of bioethical issues that are being carefully addressed as they arise. Some are easily remedied and some still remain very controversial. In this paper we will explore the use of genetic trait testing, access to genetic information as well as the issue of vaccinating or not. With regards to bioethical related data the accessing, storing, gathering, and sharing medical data for the purpose of using the data for the scientific purpose of research is still a controversial issue in the scientific community. There is no basic problem with sharing medical data electronically, with the implementation of EHR, electronic health records. However, there is yet to be formal ethical guidelines established for the use of this data in the biological sciences community. There have been guidelines introduced for developing ethical principles with the ultimate goal of winning over the scientific community to incorporate the use of this data into their existing code of ethics. The scientific community has an obligation to share this data, if permitted by the patient, for research purposes. It also can be a major factor that could increase the trust of the public with regards to scientific research. Society also had concerns about employers having access to genetic information. (Duke & Porter, 2013) With the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) employers...
Words: 865 - Pages: 4
...“Inappropriate genetic testing can threaten individual autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality and lead to various types of genetic stigmatization and discrimination without any commensurate benefit for the individual tested,” (Brandt; Rauf, 2004). When Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) tested their employees without the employees knowing about it, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stepped in and cited that BNSF violated the employee’s equal rights through discrimination and the employee’s rights of privacy. These actions “raise serious concerns that such testing could pose a significant threat to workers' privacy, autonomy, and dignity. Thus, defining the ethically, legally, and socially appropriate and inappropriate uses of genetic testing in the workplace,” (DEHS, 2001) presents a major breach in a workers legal right to privacy. One hundred and twenty-five BNSF employees filed on-the-job injury claims citing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for “years of repetitive activity such as wielding a wrench or operating a jackhammer,” (Lehrer, 2001; UNK, 2001). While investigating these claims, BNSF medical doctor required further testing of 20 employees (UNK, 2001). The medical company pulled blood for genetic testing without telling the BNSF employees what kind of test that they were performing, (Mahanna, 2001; Schafer, 2001; BNSF, 2002; Lehrer, 2001; Lewin, 2002). One employee refused to submit to the tests and BNSF threatened to terminate his job (Lewin;...
Words: 2875 - Pages: 12
...Running head: A NEW LOOK AT SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD A New look at Surrogate Motherhood Abstract Surrogate motherhood is a very important issue that is often overlooked. This paper will briefly explain the different types of surrogate motherhood and display three common arguments which are; ethical, health and legal issues. Surrogate motherhood is not only degrading to women it is morally wrong, and takes away all meaning to pregnancy. A New Look at Surrogate Motherhood Would you rather be a genetic or a birth mother? There was a study done, fifty women were asked this question as a result the majority of the women preferred to be a birth mother rather than a genetic mother. (Would you rather be a 'birth' or a 'genetic' mother? if so, how much?, 1994). The bonds a woman establishes with her child while pregnant is one that can never be replaced. If the majority of women would rather bear a child themselves for this particular reason; why is commercial surrogate motherhood on the rise? Some women are beginning to consider commercial surrogate motherhood as a better alternative than adoption. To enforce a contract on something that is so personal to women like labor and childbirth is not only ethically wrong but morally wrong as well. What is surrogacy? Surrogacy is when one woman bears a child for another that for some reason cannot do on their own. There are several types of surrogacy; Altruistic, commercial, genetic and gestatory. Altruistic surrogacy is when the person...
Words: 2169 - Pages: 9
...Institutional Affiliation: Introduction Integration of genetics into public health is essential in predicting patient risk for common diseases. Genetic research creates new information and technology that will assist in improving population health. Most of the ailments arise from the interactions among the environmental factors, human factors as well as genetics. Public health genomics will assist in disease prevention and health improvement to individuals who are at a higher risk due to their genetic makeup (Khoury, 2000). Health professionals by applying genetic research are everyday coming up with new discoveries in areas like birth defects, heart diseases and cancer improving health services for the public (Brand A, 2006). However, there is no need to allocate significant resources on genomics for public health. Resources Spent On Genomics for Public Health Significant resources should not be allocated to genomics for public health. This is because genetic research is not necessary beneficial to all individuals. It mostly applies to specific persons due to their genetic makeup. Pubic health sector can prioritize by establishing which genetic research will be most beneficial to the population as a whole. The rest of the diseases are left out since their effects are not adverse. There is also the risk of possible misuse of genetic information (Laberge, 2004). Newborn genetic screening discovers treatable genetic disorders in newborn babies. Newborn screening for phenylketonuria...
Words: 1112 - Pages: 5
...Running head: GENETIC ENGINEERING Building a Utopian Society Society, Ethics and Technology HUMN432 ACC_U January 20, 2012 How does Genetic Engineering affect society? This is a hard question, and I’m not sure that there is any one correct answer. The selection of individual traits and the enhancements in embryos has raised several moral issues that involve both individuals and society as a whole. The first thing to consider is that when selecting a particular trait does it actually pose any health issues that may not have been that may not have been of concern before? There isn’t any concrete data that could be utilized as an acceptable form of preclinical stats for human studies. Human data may present significant practical and ethical problems. Since the safety of these procedures is fairly new and is currently under investigation, there are no long-term clinical and accurate numbers of research subjects. Even with all these unanswered questions, there are still questions regarding the safety concern involving the results that the majority of genes may have multiple effects. For example, “In the late 1990s, scientists discovered a gene that is linked to memory.” (Tang et al., 1999). “Modifying this gene in mice greatly improved learning and memory, but it also caused increased sensitivity to pain.”(Wei et al., 2001) By altering genes we can’t assume that it will only affect one function, when in actuality it may turn out to disrupt other functions. Individual’s...
Words: 755 - Pages: 4
...Ivelin Yuriev Samantha B. Messinger ENC 1101 4 June 2011 End of Race-Is it Possible? Steve Olsen and Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, had an interesting discussion about the human race, where they both expressed a valid concern about its genetic future. However, they used two different approaches to prove their theories. The Dalai Lama, in 2005, wrote the book, The Universe in a Single Atom. In his chapter “Ethics and the New Genetics” Gyatso focuses on the benefits of genetic engineering and its enormous potential, while warning us of its harmful consequences. In contrast, but yet pursuing the same point, Steve Olson in his book “Mapping Human History” (2002) and the chapter “The End of Race: Hawaii and the Mixing of Peoples” traces the differences and similarities between people of various races and ethnicity. He uses the frequencies of genetic mutations in the mitochondria, migration from one continent to another and racially mixed populations where the target is the mostly American state of Hawaii. Should the world be concerned about the end of singular genetic ethnicity of each race? And is it going to happen? Race most likely will disappear as we now know. It seems to have been defined as two general groups-white and black, distinct from one another by only color of complexion. The white race will not be truly white, the black race will not be truly black, and the brown, yellow and red races will not be truly genetically ethnic either. What does race actually...
Words: 1351 - Pages: 6
...Genetic Engineering Facts By definition, Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism’s genetic make up through artificial means often involving the transfer of specific traits known as genes, from one organism to another. In simpler terms, it is the manipulation of DNA to alter an organism’s characteristics in a particular way. The following are some important facts one needs to know on this topic. Genetic engineering can mean deleting DNA to get rid of undesired traits or introducing new genes to get desired traits, but it can also mean combining DNA from separate people. We can begin by talking about the Human Genome Project. The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international research effort to determine the DNA sequence of the entire human genome. HGP researchers untangled the human genome using three tools: producing what are called linkage maps, through which inherited traits (such as those for genetic disease) can be tracked over generations; making maps that show the locations of genes for major sections of all our chromosomes; and determining the order, or "sequence," of all the bases in our genome's DNA. The research revealed that there are probably somewhere around 30,000 human genes and has given the world detailed information about the structure, organization and function of the human genes and other functional components found in DNA. This information can be seen as the basic set of inheritable "instructions" for the development and function of a...
Words: 629 - Pages: 3
...gene pool to your children while everyone else who waited could have children with green eyes. This is the future of germ-line gene therapy. Do we really want to live in a world where this is allowed? The thought of people changing their genes just to fit in and be desirable is unimaginable. While somatic cell gene therapy brings many advantages in the treatment of diseases and the quality of life, using germ-line gene therapy with the opportunities to genetically improve, alter, or fabricate human beings is unethical and should not be researched. Gene therapy is an exciting and new experimental medical procedure that replaces or deletes specific genes in our bodies to either treat or prevent disease. By introducing new genetic material into human cells (ie. cancer cells), gene therapy treatment then creates the necessary proteins that allow the affected cell to become healthy ("Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering"). Gene therapy can also be used as an alternative to other medical disorders rather than having a surgical procedure or...
Words: 2840 - Pages: 12
...PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING Running Head: PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING Prenatal Genetic Testing and The Ethical Controversies SBI3U 15 April 2015 1 PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING 2 Prenatal Genetic Testing and The Ethical Controversies Introduction Every introduction should start with a shocking fact about the topic, generally to piqué the interest of the reader. The problem is, surrounding the topic of prenatal genetic testing, there isn’t anything that is particularly shocking or interesting anymore. Anything that has a potential to injure a ‘helpless’ fetus, the public has already been informed of and the information has already been extremely exaggerated. The myth of prenatal genetic testing being dangerous has been greatly over told, and is a rather old notion according to a great number of medical journals such as: United States National Library (Gates, 2009), UConn (Pennington, 2011), and many others listed in the references page. Prenatal genetic testing is the process of testing for potential genetic disorders or defects. Doctors and geneticist can now test for over 4000 diseases that are caused or influenced by a fetus’ genetic makeup. The tests can be invasive or noninvasive, and the risks associated with both categories of tests have been greatly reduced since genetic testing was first introduced to modern medicine. Although the ...
Words: 1905 - Pages: 8
