...The Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing: The link of the pros and cons of genetic testing was placed forward not ot argue either way of ya or nay of one side, but more to inform the reader of the advantages. The most important message to take away from this passage is genetic testing is a choice. Whether the author believed genetic testing to be moral or immoral has no place in this article. Genetic testing has many advantages such as early detection of mental and physical defects of a child before birth. This gives parents a way to either terminate the pregnancy to avoid paying the extra money because of low wages or no insurance or to avoid the child going through a life of suffering. It also gives the family time to prepare if they so should choose to keep the child. The article concludes by informing us nothing is certain. You could have a perfectly healthy child that passes with SIDS or have an unhealthy child that live to a lengthy age, which leaves some room for doubts and disadvantages of genetic testing. The textbook explains genetic testing by using the term Genetic Counseling which helps potential parents know the likeliness of having a child with a genetic or chromosomal disorder. The book references counselors being well trained to asses responses from potential parents. Words such as facts, risk, and probability are viewed as sensitive words, and the doctors should be trained well to not mislead and or help to cope with words such as these. There are also 2 ethical...
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...Genetic screenings by definition, it’s a systematic search for individual with a specific genotype (Kjono, 1997, p. 1-5). Which intern assist the health care provider and give an opportunity to alter the human genotype ,usual take place in groups those who are under risk .Thus advancement in technology and scientific knowledge assist individuals to learn about their chances to get genetic diseases and to understand the environment interaction how it affects their health. Research indicates that understanding of the diseases susceptibility assist them for risk reduction behaviors as well provide better control over their life. Same like other tests genetic screening and testing has its own pros and cons. Some of the benefits include same like...
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...“Cracking Your Genetic Code”, a NOVA documentary, reveals the idea that the human race stands on the verge of a major revolution. In this, we are given insight into the life of a now fully functional celled cancer survivor and a cystic fibrosis sufferer who now obtains healthy breathing patterns. So, what caused such a drastic turn of events? In these cases, genetic mutation pushed the teens to near death. Their cure, however, involved a different technique: genetic coding. Also known as the scientific ability to be able to pinpoint and neutralize the genetic abnormalities that underlie their conditions. A very controversial topic in the medical science industry. With this, I will be providing both the pros and cons of this profession. There...
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...With the expansive development of medicine and science, new methods of experimentation must be employed in order to develop highly sophisticated and extremely effective drugs to help combat diseases. A major issue arising from these advances in science have manifested through the animal testing done in laboratories with the purpose of ensuring a drug’s effectiveness for humans. Though many may argue that animals fully merit their own rights to not be tested on, it is not taken into account how often animals are the best option for bringing revolutionary discoveries, since the help testing for drug safety and providing accurate biological feedback for the development of medicine. Furthermore, it is through the information presented that a...
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...The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering Research & Position Paper Table of Contents DNA Fingerprinting/ Genetically Modified Foods --------------------------------------------------- p. 3 Gene Therapy/Cloning------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 4 Stem Cell Technology------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ p. 5 Position Paper------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 6-7 Bibliography-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 8-10 Evaluation Rubric----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p. 7 DNA Fingerprinting DNA fingerprinting are tests that help to identify and analyze a person’s DNA. The term “fingerprinting” is used because finger prints, like DNA, vary from person to person and no two people have the same DNA or fingerprints. So, when scientists identify a person’s DNA, it can only be linked back to one individual and can help to obtain information about that specific individual. DNA fingerprinting can be done through many different ways. Some ways are through blood samples from a vein or heel, saliva samples, skin samples, or hair samples. The purpose of DNA fingerprinting is to help link family members together, find things that cause diseases, to help aid in crime scene investigations, and to...
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...it is shared along the dinner table and have food as the topic of the night. Basically, food is the demand and supply which runs the world: be it in the developed country where food is made even luxury and be it in the developing country where food is seen as a staple for survival. Since the total acreage planted is no longer increasing, unless new production technology is adopted, such an increase in demand that is unmatched by an increase in supply in the world food market will raise food prices and lead to food shortages, especially in underdeveloped countries. At the same time, many people are troubled by the idea of messing with nature, and say they don’t want their meals turned into “frankenfoods.” They are worried that taking genetic material from one organism and putting it in another could not only unhinge the ecosystem, but threaten people’s health, including...
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...Genetically Engineered Foods Regina Summers SCI 207: Dependence of Man on the Environment Instructor Apuzzo February 6, 2012 Genetically Engineered Foods In today’s society and towards our future there is a controversial statement that genetically engineered food may be the solution to feed the hungry in the world. Supporters believe that genetic engineered food will ensure and sustain food security all over the world as our population continues to grow. On the other hand there are concerns about the genetically engineered food. There are many researchers that believe that engineered food is not the solution to feed the hungry. In this paper we will discuss the pros and cons about having genetically engineered foods, is it safe and an even bigger question do we need genetically engineered food? Before weighing the pros and cons of genetically engineered food, people of today’s society need to know what it is. Genetic engineering is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change DNA of living organisms. Scientists have learned and tested that there are ways of changing the structure of DNA in an organisms and customize its DNA. Genetically engineered food is commonly used in crop plants which in turn are used for feeding humans or animals. These engineered plants have been modified to resist herbicides or to improve their nutritional content. Millions of people all over the planet suffer from poverty and starvation. One very interesting but experimental...
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...similar to an "immune response" from the papaya plant. These new, genetically modified papaya plants are no longer susceptible to infection; allowing farmers to cultivate the fruit even when the virus is widespread.Independent laboratory testing results released today reveal widespread contamination from the world's first commercially planted genetically engineered tree, the papaya, on Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. Contamination was also found in the stock of non-genetically engineered seeds being sold commercially by the University of Hawaii. The first virus resistant papayas were commercially grown in Hawaii in 1999. Transgenic papayas now cover about one thousand hectares, or three quarters of the total Hawaiian papaya crop.Genetically modified papayas are approved for consumption both in the US and in Canada. Several Asian countries are currently developing transgenic papaya varieties resistant to local viral strains. At this point, GM papayas are not approved in the EU. Until now, no application for approval has been submitted. Therefore, importing and marketing genetically modified papayas is not permitted in the EU. All samples were tested by Genetic ID, one of the world's leading scientific laboratories for genetic contamination testing. Composite samples...
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...containing ingredients that are not familiar to you. Genetically Modified Foods; Choosing Organic Choose the Best Farmers are the main source of food production within the US, as the country’s population begins to grow; a concern arises. Will the farmers be able to produce enough food to feed all the mouths? According to Monsanto (producer of genetically modified seeds) and biotech food scientists’ the answer is no. As scientist research and move genes from one organism to another, they develop GMOs. The resulted product, GMO seed, are being introduced to farmers as a crop enhancer and pesticide to accommodate the rapidly growing countries need for a larger food supply. Modern genetic engineering is the ability to identify and splice genes from one kind of organism into the DNA of another. Modern genetic engineering as altered agriculture forever. Splicing and cross-pollinating have been and currently are the two most commonly used methods when growing GMO filled crops. Ingesting the genetically altered foods versus the all-natural foods (containing no built in pesticides) is a choice we, as a country, should not have to make. GMOs Genetically modified...
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...because of his genetic information. Discrimination based upon a person’s genetic makeup is just like discrimination based upon race, gender, or sexual orientation: they are all things that a person cannot control. If this hypothetical scenario occurred in the United States after November 2009, James would be able to sue the company that turned him down. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which was signed into law in 2008 and took effect in November 2009, makes it illegal for employers and health insurance companies to discriminate based upon DNA (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2015). I fully agree with this act. This scenario is different from cases in which businesses choose to fire or not hire someone based on whether or not they smoke or drink. Smoking and drinking alcohol are personal choices, unlike someone’s DNA which is present at birth. Smoking could hurt others. For example, third-hand smoke on a person’s skin and clothes could cause issues or even death to patients in nursing homes and intensive care units. Because Parkinson’s is caused by either a genetic defect or multiple genetic defects, it is not contagious (McNamara, P., 2017). Individuals should be able to get these tests for their own personal knowledge. Businesses should not be allowed to conduct these genetic tests on applicants or...
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...Breast Cancer… Is Genetic Screening the Answer? By: Wendy Wilburn Biology 2020 – Biology II Dr. Robinson April 25, 2015 The Great Genetic Screening Debate ABSTRACT Within the past thirty years, researchers have found strong evidence that our DNA or genetic material may be a predictive factor for disease probability. This has lead to the development of genetic testing after the isolation of certain candidate genes. Although predictive genetic screening is only available for a selective number of diseases, its ramifications have become hot topics for debated issues in a broad range of arenas from governmental agencies to religious applications. (1). This debate began in 1993 when researchers isolated the BRCA1 gene, which is associated with the increased risk of developing breast cancer (1). The discovery of this gene leads to hope and speculation for development of a predictive genetic test that could identify women at risk for developing breast cancer. The purpose of my paper is to delve into the positives and negatives of predictive genetic testing, as it is applied to breast cancer precursors. INTRODUCTION Before I go into details about how these genetic tests were developed, I want to first discuss how certain genes can trigger an inactive disease. The human body requires the actions of many proteins working together. For a protein to work properly, an intact gene must be encoded for a specific protein. A mutation describes a gene which has genetically...
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...Mr. Adamoschek Is it cruel to use Animals to Test Human products? Approximately 225 million animals are used for testing every year. Billions have been killed in the process. ("Questions and Answers About Biomedical Research.”) How can this be allowed? Isn’t it cruel to use animals to test products for humans? Many animal rights activists say, “yes” to this question. However, scientists argue it is necessary and animal research can help save human lives. There are probable arguments for both sides. But the dangers of using animals to test products for human use weighs an even greater risk than not using the animals. Alternatives are much more ethical. Over the years, scientists have used animals to test the toxicity of products being produced for humans. Their argument is clear: that animals can be helpful in aiding to provide advances in human health and new drug findings. Animal testing has helped find some medicines to fight cancer, as well as other medicines now used, for example: Insulin, antibiotics and HIV drugs. It is this very reason that scientists and others support the testing of animals. In fact, there are even some people that will support the use of medical research on animals but they do not support the use of animals for cosmetics to be tested on. Another aspect they tend to want people to take into consideration is that animal testing helps ensure the safety of drugs being used as well as other substances humans are exposed to on a regular basis....
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... One small change changes the balance of an ecosystem which results in the change of the flow of energy. Invasive species can directly kill native species by feeding on them and drastically eliminating their population. Invasive species hold to their name they invade. There are several solutions for eliminating the population of grass carp to the area of Glimmerville. One favorable solution is incentive fishing that could get the citizens and local fishermen involved in controlling the ongoing issue. Another solution could be to introduce electric barriers, like they use in the Mississippi River. Another alternative approach would be to introduce chemical’s to eliminate the grass carp. Genetic testing could also be a solution for eliminating grass carp. Each solution has a pro and a con, the...
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...Linda Covarrubias Elaina Westegaard ENG-123-X1530 17 November 2015 How Are GMOs Affecting the Environment and Our Health? Food has been one of the basic needs since the birth of a person. History shows that the production of food only consisted of hunting, harvesting, and farming. During these times, it usually took a long time before these foods arrived at the dining tables of families. However, today, technology has allowed the mass production of food. Unfortunately, the market has taken advantage of technology, not letting us know how food is made, leading to the birth of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). GMOs are widely used in most foods today. Though most people are unaware of this, GMOs even exist in some of their favorite food products. Many reports tell that diseases, such as E-Coli and Salmonella, have been caught from GM-foods. Furthermore, researchers and doctors believe that GMOs carry a huge risk; although, some scientists claim that GMOs are completely safe for human consumption. GMOs should be banned because they have a negative impact on human health, and potential risks on the environment. Although GMOs were only introduced in 1996, the side effects can already be seen: there have been increased allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria and other toxic hazards. While these side effects of GMOs may seem minuscule in the grand scheme of things, the lasting effects can be much more drastic. More and more children are having life-threatening allergies...
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...Genetic Engineering is Not the Answer to Hunger Rachel Salters Genetic Engineering is Not the Answer to Hunger In the past ten years, the world has seen many changes and advances, but none hold as many possibilities as genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is turning up all over, and it is definitely here to stay. Just as computers and plastics changed most aspects of living, since they were invented, biological engineering has the potential to do the same in the future. This new technology has a wide range of possible benefits, from helping farmers and sick people, to improving foods and helping the environment. Genetic engineering may even one day be used to help solve world hunger. Genetically engineered crops might seem an ideal solution. Yet both current data and past examples show problems and provoke doubts as to their necessity.There is no simple solution to end world hunger. Genetic engineering is not the answer, just as pesticides weren't the answer. Even increasing food production is not the answer. World hunger will only end when the underlying causes of poverty are addressed. Poverty stops people from obtaining their basic right to food - either because they have no means to purchase food or they have no access to the farmland and natural resources necessary to meet basic food needs (http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/IHRIP/circle/modules/module12.htm). Genetically engineering crops do not address the poverty that causes hunger – in fact it threatens...
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