...By scanning the entire genomes of lung-cancer patients and healthy controls, research teams identified a region on chromosome 15 that seems to influence the likelihood of developing cancer. People possessing a certain set of mutations at this genetic location are more likely than others to have the disease. Research suggests about 50% of the general population carries a single copy of this cancer gene variant, while another 10% of the population is likely to carry two copies of this set of mutations, raising cancer risk by as much as 80% relative to people with equivalent lifestyles without the cancer-linked gene variant (Hopkin,2016). The most relevant genes in lung cancer include the following: EGFR, KRAS, MET, LKB1, BRAF, PIK3CA, ALK, RET, and ROS1 (El-Telbany & Ma,2012). Lung Cancer and the effects of smoking A typical smoker who refuses or fails to give up has a roughly 15% risk of lung cancer over their lifetime, but with two copies of the genetic variant, this rises to 23%. Researchers disagree over whether non-smokers who possess the genetic risk factor have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The technique called a genome wide association study, hunts 'blindly' for genetic mutations correlated with certain diseases, but provides no information about the mechanisms that cause the disease. Researchers believes that the genes promote cancer by making people more vulnerable to nicotine addiction. This view is supported...
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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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...Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Its Pros and Cons Because of its concept, embryonic stem cell research has become a hot topic in debates among scientific researchers, moral activists, religious groups and governments. It is a relatively a new science that holds medical treatments for many debilitating diseases and disorders affecting people today. But like other new scientific technologies, it is also believed to potentially do harm. To get a good insight about this type of research, let us take a look at some of its pros and cons. List of Pros of Embryonic Stem Cell Research 1. It can help treat many diseases. As scientists direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into specific cell types, they will be able to use the resulting differentiated cells to treat certain diseases, which include diabetes, traumatic spinal cord injury, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, heart diseases, and vision and hearing loss. It is also claimed to have the potential...
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...artificially recreating the process of animal cloning is a possibility. Pros and Cons: Some cons of the animal cloning process are a large percent of cases, birth defects occur like animals being born with two faces. Sometimes...
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...Research paper on Stem Cell Research Legislation and the related legal issues: What is the history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States? How does it compare to comparable statutes in the rest of the world? In this paper talk about what the current legislative state of affairs is and where the law on stem cells in the United States should go in the future and why. Make sure you use ample research and cited sources to support your arguments but make sure to state your own opinion on the issues as well. Stem Cell Research TJ AS OF: 2/4/2009--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) prior to donation, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of...
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...Sometimes people have troubles dealing with everyday life issues, Applied behavioral science uses Psychological knowledge to help people form coping skills to enhance and maintain quality of life. Behavioral science helps analyzes and investigate human behavior, why we think the way we do, do the things we do, say the things we say, and why we feel a certain way. The case study I chose is severe depression from the Clinical Psychology perspective and is about Joe, his family history and his circumstances. As a Psychologist you need to know how to define clinical depression, identify potential sources or causes of severe depression, know the symptoms, be familiar with Psychological theories, and know relevant trends, pros and cons of medication, steps to take to build a good rapport with your client, know what you are responsible for ethically. We all probably know someone who is severely depressed because, Clinical depression affects millions of people each year (University of Pittsburgh, N.D.). If clinical depression is left untreated it can have serious consequences (it could be life threatening). So it is very important that not only Psychologists are well informed on this topic but we all should be. Clinical depression is a mood disorder making someone sad, angry, feeling of loss or frustration that affects their everyday life (Davey, 2011). This kind of depression affects every aspect of your life and does not just go away. You can’t just be happy or cheered up...
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...overt diabetes occurs as the body is no longer able to effectively use its insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Over time, these high levels of sugar result in the complications we see all too often in patients with diabetes. What are the risks factors for developing diabetes? The risk factor for developing diabetes actually varies depending on where a person lives. This is in part due to the environment the person lives in, and in part due to the genetic makeup of the family. In the United States, it is estimated that one in three males and two out of every five females born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes (the lifetime risk). It has also been calculated that for those diagnosed with diabetes before the age of 40, the average life expectancy is reduced by 12 years for men, and 19 years for women. The risk for developing diabetes increases in certain cases such as the following, genetics, ethnic background, birth weight, metabolic syndrome, obesity. Type 2 diabetes prevention While genetics plays an important role, an individual still has the ability to influence their health to prevent diabetes. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are the biggest risk factors that are controllable. People should watch their...
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...cells are present in embryos and in tissues of adult organisms. II. How are stem cells used? A) Scientific Research B) Potential disease and treatment and or cures C) In vitro fertilization D) Cloning and Genetic Engineering III. Ethical concerns regarding stems cells. A) Scientific research perspective B) Political/Moral Ethics perspective C) Religious/Utilitarianism perspective IV. Conclusion | Stem Cells Risk or Benefit Since the introduction of DNA, scientists have researched many ways to treat and extinguish disease. One interesting way is through the use of stem cells. To get better understanding of stem cells, they are defined as non-specific biological cells capable of differentiating into specialized cells. Stems cells have a unique quality of developing and duplicating cells through the process of cell division. The distinctiveness of stem cells is that they are unspecialized, meaning no specific function, making them capable of mimicking and regenerating neighboring blood and nerve cells. Stem cells are present in multi-cellular organisms, such as those in mammals. They are present in embryos and in the tissues of adult organisms. In lieu of their functionality, stem cell therapy is questionable in the opinion of many and presents the ongoing question of; is the use of...
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...Impact of Violent Video Games There are two sides of the argument of what violent video games have on the youth of America. Some believe that violent video games have negative affects and produce social violence. At the same time there are those who believe that violent video games have positive effects. From my experience with violent video games I take no side in this argument. I would like to present a neutral view on this topic by showing you the positive and negative effects of violent video games. For years, psychologists have been arguing which is more important in a child’s life: genetics or how the child is raised. By looking at what the child is allowed to view and do gives insight into this question. Violent video games do influence a child. Whether or not this influence is good or bad is a point that will be expressed in this paper. Advocates believe that playing violent video games provide a safe outlet for aggressive behavior. Violent juvenile crime has been declining as violent video games popularity has been increasing. The link between violent video games and violent behavior has not been proven. Players should understand the game they are playing is not real despite how realistic violent video games have become. Advocates for video games claim that they can promote an outlet for children and teens to release their aggression and stress. This aggression and stress is usually collected throughout their daily lives and interactions with others. Violent video...
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...where no one has disabilities, diseases or any other problem like that and Imagine that humans could live to 150 or above. Well as it turns out this just maybe be possible. “Recently Scientist have started using a new form of surgery that involves using enzymes to get rid of diseases and disabilities by cutting them out” (Griffin, A , 2017). This is known as Genetic Therapy or Gene Engineering and with it we could change the world for the better. So now I’ll tell you just some of great opportunities coming out with this. But before that my claim: Genetic Engineering should be used to enhance humans. Gene Editing should be used, b/c if it was we could possible make it so that people who can’t have children can, also it could get rid of inherent disease. “Scientist in Oregon have begun using CRISPR to start fixing human genes in...
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...Brave New World of Genetic Engineering In the novel Brave New World, Huxley uses genetic engineering to simplify the life of the people of London by relieving them of the obligation of bearing children. As times where industrializing Huxley worried that his fictional future would actually take place in the American culture. Genetic engineering in Brave New World requires manipulation and recreations of the DNA sequence, creating new organism by deleting and inserting genes. As inventions enlarged, genetic engineering had many propositions arise, a touch manipulation of life’s true purpose. Determining American citizens to be identified or individualized. Human beings are too abstract to be genetically engineered, there is no possible copy alternate the human soul. The most precious gift given to every human being “Our ancestors were so stupid and short-sighted that when the first reformers came along and offered to deliver them from those horrible emotions, they wouldn't have anything to do with them” (Huxley pp45)....
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...naturally without any interference of technology (Weiss, 1990), the right to life without suffering (Beers, 2006). These rights are derived from realisation of emotions (e.g. the ability to feel pain) and equality among humans and other living being sharing the Earth (Singer, 2011) Anthropocentrists have a strong belief in science and technology, more concerned with progress and development, hence there’s a new branch called genetic engineering, it is a system under biotechnology, created by humans to make life easier, by tempering with nature. Genetic engineering is implemented to produce drugs, for human gene therapy, and to produce better plants (Lowe, 1954). Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer, are the founders of genetic engineering, in 1973 they brought into existence the first modified organism from that point this branch of science has been rapidly improved and lately mosts farms and food products contain Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Antropocentric and non-anthropocentric approaches share different views when weighing the pros and cons regarding genetic engineering, antropocentric approaches focuses mainly on how humans are impacted whilst with non-antropocentric approaches the focus is on the ecosystem as a whole. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO, 2003 ) the advantages of using GMOs are that transgenic plants are pest resistant, they possess a high degree of tolerance to harsh conditions and also have longer shelf life. This means that its nolonger...
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...those based in the field of genetics, one might wonder where humanity is headed in terms of their offspring. The answer? Modern eugenics. Francis Galton's eugenics, centered around forced sterilization and selective breeding to eliminate undesirable traits and foster the spread of more advantageous ones (Galton), is dead. However, the idea of focusing on one’s inherited genes to eliminate passed down diseases is alive and well, albeit in a more “modern” fashion. Is modern eugenics the right way of the future for humanity? To what extent should modern eugenics be viable? Before ambitious genetic projects had begun, such as the Human Genome Project which mapped out the entirety of the human genome (Genome.gov), the only way to tamper with an individual’s genes was through their parents. Gregor Mendel earned the moniker “The Father of Genetics” because of his experiments involving the breeding of plants in the mid 19th century (Biography.com). However, modern eugenics focuses on the genes of child more than the parents through abortions and the genetic altering of the embryo to achieve the desired results. This can be achieved through a process called genetic screening, which observes an embryo’s chromosomes for any lapses or breaks (Galloway a). Embryo’s that show signs of a genetic disorders, such as Down Hassan 2 Syndrome, SCID, or Sickle Cell Disease, are aborted in favor of an “unflawed” one. John Galloway, a writer for the Genetic Literacy Project, discusses...
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...teacher informed her that you have probably been feeding her genetically modified foods. She did not quite understand what was meant by genetically modified food. In an attempt to help her understand, write a paper for her which includes the following: • The purpose of human-made genetic recombinations in food. • Whether or not foods that contain genes resulting from artificial genetic recombinations are really safe. • A list of foods in your supermarket that result from genetic recombination. • What types of regulations exist for these foods. • A conclusion of your own opinion on genetically modified foods (For help, you might search the Food and Drug Administration website.) b) Stem cells. Your friend suffered a spinal cord injury after a bad car accident. The medical team has decided that your friend is a good candidate for a clinical trial using stem cell therapy. Your friend has not had a biology course since high school. So you decide to write your friend a paper sharing your knowledge of stem cells. Include in your letter: • A description of the biology of stem cells and how these cells are unique from other cells. • A contrast the different types of stem cells, including pros and...
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...Should Genes be Patented? Patenting genetic discoveries have proven to be controversial throughout the years. There are now patents that are associated with many of the genes within the human genome. Patents are issued to encourage innovation and protect those investing in genetic research the opportunity to maximize profit. During this period, another party can use the discovery to develop a product only with a licensing agreement; however, basic researchers can use it freely. Some argue that this period of exclusivity fosters commercial development of the discovery by discouraging competition. Yet the patenting of genes is not without controversy. Some reject the entire concept of patenting, while others have objections to the patenting of only specific types of DNA sequences. It has also been argued that patents inhibit or limit biomedical research all together. The patenting of human genetic material raises complex social, ethical, and policy issues such as the potential for discrimination in access to healthcare services or employment, and the implications for ongoing research and access to services. The patentability of inventions concerning human genetic material is determined by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). To obtain a patent, the invention must meet four criteria. The invention must be “useful” in a practical sense, “novel” (not known or used before filing), “nonobvious” (not an improvement easily made by someone trained in the relevant area), and the...
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