...E Poole Beecham English 101 10059 19 April 2010 Genetic Testing Imagine choosing your daughter to have high intelligence. No one would fault the parents for giving their daughter this advantage for life. Parents can make the decision to use any safe drug or therapy to enhance their future children to make them smarter, better, stronger, to increase their intelligence, height, or other traits (Zane). Testing for medical tendencies to screen and reduce the possibility of future illness or diseases is now feasible. Genetic testing can enhance and improve lives with immeasurable benefits. The rewards of this testing outweigh any reservations. Genetic testing are examinations of blood and other tissues of the body that doctors in the medical field prepare to test for possible defects of the body. These DNA based tests generally involves direct examination of the DNA molecule itself and are very sophisticated techniques of testing genetic disorders in the bodies of human beings. Prenatal genetic testing with the procedure of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD is a technique whereby testing is performed of an approximate three-day-old embryo to confirm that it does not carry a particular disease or diseases (Naik). The test predicts, with variable confidence, what the possible medical problems will be in the future. Then the doctor implants this embryo, which is free of that syndrome, in the mother's womb. It appears to be relatively easy to check the DNA and eliminate...
Words: 2704 - Pages: 11
...Genetic testing is a scientific process in which an individual’s DNA can be screened for mutations or variations that may cause certain diseases or dysfunctions. It is my opinion that standard genetic testing for disease or the predisposition to disease is purely beneficial. Having clear answers as to whether or not a person may carry a higher risk for some diseases may in fact save their life, or the lives of their current or future children. However, over the years of development of the science, more and more controversial types of testing have developed. In this paper, the science of genetic testing will be introduced by going through a brief history, the different types of genetic testing available, as well as the controversies that surround them. History Genetic testing had a very positive and productive start. The first usage of Genetic Testing occurred over half a century ago, beginning with the testing of infants for PKU, or Phenylketonuria, “an inborn error of metabolism in which an amino acid buildup in the blood causes mental retardation.” (Lewis) To test infants, a drop of blood was taken from their heel while at the hospital after birth. If a child was found positive for PKU, dietary treatment was used to prevent loss of brain function. Testing was reliable and results were accurate. The disease being tested for was easily treatable, and every child that came through was tested without a problem. (Lewis) In the 1970’s, doctors began the process of testing...
Words: 2366 - Pages: 10
...In regards to the discussion of genetic testing, ongoing advancements in medicine has introduced new opportunities for expecting parents to discover the previously unknown to earlier generations of parents. With technological advances often, times comes ethical dilemmas. An overwhelming amount of information is often times thrown at new expecting parents without adequate education regarding the importance or necessity of the medical necessity or risk. Although great progress continues to be made in regards to genetic testing, contributing factors such as personal preferences must be taken into consideration, along with religious preferences and personal beliefs. An interesting article about genetic testing written by Clayton (2017) reports...
Words: 251 - Pages: 2
...sequences of DNA that determine what characteristics people inherit.Gene Testing is an analysis of a person DNA. It can provide valuable data that may be useful in regards to diagnosing, treating and preventing certain diseases. Through DNA testing scientist can determine whether you are more prone to developing specific illnesses throughout the course of your existence. Geneticists look at different DNA sequences and can tell if you have inherited certain diseases. Some different reasons for using genetics test are testing for cancer, alzheimer's, liver disease, kidney failure hormone deficiencies and mental retardation. Overall the are more than a 1000 different DNA test available. The positive aspects of gene testing is that it could save a persons life and possibly help prevent future illnesses. Some downsides of DNA Test are sometimes they can be inaccurate. The results are not always 100% right because things such as contamination or error can change the results. These type of test may also affect someone emotionally because they were unaware they had a an illness. The risks of prejudice, social stigmatization, anxiety and stress may prevail over the advantages of the test to begin with. Discrimination in the system is a known factor and has been going on for a long time. People are discriminated every day due to age, culture, creed, gender, sexual orientation and religion. The GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) was put in place to prevent insurance companies...
Words: 715 - Pages: 3
...Genetic Testing and College Athletes On April 13, 2010, the NCAA made tests for Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) mandatory, effective in August 2010. SCT is a condition where the blood cells are elongated and potentially block blood flow and resist bonding to oxygen. The trait is generally benign but becomes active under extreme physical stress. For athletes, when performing strenuous activities, the trait is sometimes triggered and can potentially cause death. The statute states “student-athletes must be tested for sickle cell trait, show proof of a prior test or sign a waiver releasing an institution from liability if they decline to be tested.”(Brutlag, 2010) SCT genetic testing and NCAA regulations were implemented in order to protect student athletes, but the testing raises questions of who should receive the test results, the use of the results in discrimination against affected athletes and its potential to be cascade towards excessive genetic testing. In the current legislation, the results from an athletes test are given to the school, the coach and the athlete. This disclosure policy has the potential to be used to discriminate against those who are afflicted with SCT. Although the athlete has the option to opt out of testing initially once they have the test, the disclosure to the school and coaching staff is automatic. The test results should be first given to the student, and then they should have the option to waive liability and not disclose to the university...
Words: 846 - Pages: 4
...Genetic Testing and the Human GMO The controversies surrounding genetic testing, patenting and the modification of genes both as used in disease treatment and genetic enhancement are on the verge of becoming larger realities. I Intro The initial draft of the Human Genome project is now completed, giving access to the DNA sequences of a human. But it is not the genetic information that is shared that has come under the greatest degree of interest. Rather, the estimated .001% of variance in the genetic code is the subject of recent and expanding controversy; it is our difference not similarities that are most subject to controversy. One such controversy involves the genetic screening of potential employees, to spot potential problematic areas in their genetic make up. Similarly insurance companies may screen clients before deciding what category of clientele to put them in based on genetic risk factors. But the greatest controversies come with the fact that our genetic make up is alterable. There is substantial research being done on how human diseases can be treated using genetic procedures to replace faulty genes, but who stands to profit from this and what are the potential risks? Furthermore, can a treatment based on human genetic information (which is shared by all) be subject to the same patent laws as are other commonly used medicinal tools and methods? And perhaps the most controversial is the prospect of enhancing humans using genetically fostered techniques...
Words: 2415 - Pages: 10
...Going to get tested for a genetic disorder? That’s so yesterday; thanks to modern scientific knowledge, direct to consumer (DTC) tests make going to a medical professional unnecessary for genetic testing. Medical professionals should not be required for all genetic testing, since the requirement of such professionals raises questions of ethics regarding abortion and eugenics, issues which restrict the rights of parents to make decisions that apply to themselves and/or their offspring. However, regulations on DTC genetic testing should be put into place to eliminate the consequences which result from the lack of knowledge regarding genetic disorders and testing held by patients. One disease capable of detection using genetic testing, Tay-Sachs...
Words: 778 - Pages: 4
...Testing to Save a Life Genomic testing is a way of studying an individual's genes for complications that could lead to health problems like diseases or cancers. Tests became more popular in the 1990’s when they were available directly to the customer rather than from a health professional (Goldsmith). Testing is used for more than just screening for potential complications. They can also be used to help determine why pre diagnosed diseases occurred and determine the best treatment option to pursue. The testing can help individuals become educated about their own body while determining solutions to health issues. Genomic testing has very few physical health risks. The main struggles people face are financial, emotional, or social stress....
Words: 1034 - Pages: 5
...family’s genetic history or your ancestry. What can you do to find out these types of things? You could take a genetic test, genetic testing can be used to help prevent diseases, it’s the analysis and collection of someone's DNA. It helps identify what diseases someone is predisposed to and can recommend steps to help them change their lifestyle. A wide variety of genetic tests are now available to the public, some give the person’s ancestry, others can give deeper insights to their genetic code. Companies like Ancestry.com began with 2 million sales at the end of 2016, in August of 2017 they had already sold around 5 million. Genetic tests are becoming increasingly common and used more often. It is important that you understand your ancestral history, you can start by using a general genetic test. Genetic tests are very accessible to the public and the majority are very general. Many companies sell genetic tests There are over 30 companies that sell genetic tests. Some even cater to different countries. There are over 25 companies that do not sell tests anymore. The tests are very general and are not specific. General tests give the...
Words: 845 - Pages: 4
...Genetic testing negatively affects millions of lives. Those test results may trigger awful emotions. Testing may cost too much for the average person. Also, these screenings are not full body reviews. Considering these genetic testing should be prohibited by agencies offering the tests for everyone’s life. The results of a genetic test may trigger some horrible emotions. Finding out that a gene mutation is absent may cause them to feel a sense of relief. So far, finding out that you have a genetic disorder results in displeasure in your body. May feel the urge of crying or “playing it safe.” Not doing what they want, but worrying about what could happen. Depression, people refuse to live with their disorder, so they choose to “opt out of life.” Considering this just shows the emotions sprung by receiving a dreadful test result....
Words: 518 - Pages: 3
...Sneaking a Peek, Sometime Cost You: Genetic Testing a Price to Pay Sneaking a Peek, Sometime Cost You: Genetic Testing a Price to Pay When signing the dotted line, we give away a lot. The words printed, the ink dries and we have committed to a legal contract that specific roles will be assumed and expectation do follow. The contract starts a line of trust that we often do not acknowledge until this trust is broken or affirmed. In the case study regarding Danville Airlines, Human Resource Director Julie Taylor and Pilot David Reiger a trust test was given, result were discovered, and now decision will have to be made because sneaking a peek into the lives of others sometime will cost you. What the cost? Only with time they will know as we discuss what laws, feelings and interpretation affect the rights and trust between employer and employee. The study title Danville Airlines presented the scenario of a 42 year old pilot, David Reiger, whom father recently passed away from Huntington Diseases (Mead & Wicks, 2004). The disease is heredity and children of parent with the disease have 50% chance of inheriting the gene (Semaka, Balneaves, & Hayden, 2013). Reiger found out he had the gene after undergoing a required screening by Danville Airlines and Danville Airline secretly, without consent, tested for it. Now armed with this new information, Julie Taylor, the Human Resource Director have to make decision on her recommendation to the board of director...
Words: 1518 - Pages: 7
...Genetic Testing and Implications of Federal Law Regulations In today’s economy, companies are scared of having any negative publicity to ruin their name and try at all costs of preventing this from happening. When companies invade employee’s privacy they have violated the federal government’s guidelines of what is ethical and not ethical. The genetic testing for Huntington’s disease is a new emerging field of science that allows for individuals to know what medical conditions they are predisposed to however the federal government has established laws that state clearly the individual has to give consent and without consent these medical tests violates their medical privacy’s rights. “There are three major types of genetic tests: biochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular.” (Beery, 2014, p. 71) In this case study, the two types of genetic tests were biochemical and molecular. Biochemical test uses enzymes in the blood to see if the enzyme reacts to a certain subject and if does shows what the genetic dispose for that disease. The molecular genetic testing is looking more at the DNA of the person and having to see which DNA sequence leads to the medical disorder. The benefits for Reiger is knowing that what in his body are the cause of the newly discovered condition of Huntington’s disease (HD) and having the correct medical advice on his condition. However, there are more drawbacks for Reiger knowing about his condition from the genetic testing. Scuffham and MacMillan (2014)...
Words: 1296 - Pages: 6
...Genetic Testing: An Issue of Ethics As the human race continues to advance various medical practices have been evolving including genetic testing. A doctor can look at somebody’s chromosomes, genes and proteins to determine if a certain disease is common in their family or if they have what it takes to become a professional athlete. At first it sounds like an unquestionable thing to do with all the benefits that come along with it. The problem with genetic testing lies in who should know and the confidentiality that goes along with it. By having the ability to find disorders and diseases common in someone’s ancestry, doctors can track a patient and help them before they know they need help. Also if a person has the genes to become a professional athlete they can get the proper training at a young age. These both sound like great things, but who says the person wants to know this information. What is a patient is diagnosed with an untreatable disease? This would significantly change their outlook on life and nobody should have to know this from the beginning of their life. If a person has the genes to become a professional sport then they should find this information out on their own as they decide on their own what they want to do with their life. In America we don’t want our athletes to be trained like Olympic athletes in China or other non-democratic countries. The bottom line is that a person can’t make the decision if they want to know this information or even be...
Words: 330 - Pages: 2
...Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease Breanna Selzler Rasmussen College Author Note This paper is being submitted on June 20, 2014, for Greg Barnett’s G215 Intro to Human Biology course. Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and progress over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. People with Alzheimer’s lose the ability to be able to keep up a conversation because their memory will fail. They also will become angry because they don’t understand why they cannot remember what just happened 10 minutes ago. On average after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s people live 4-20 years, but a large amount end up passing a way around 8 years later. Nobody knows what causes Alzheimer’s or what can cure it as we are still trying to figure out a cure. We do know that Alzheimer’s kills and damages the nerve cells of the brain and causes it not to function properly. Alzheimer’s cannot be fully diagnosed until after death as you have to physically look at the brain itself. This being said I would not take part in being tested to see if I would develop Alzheimer’s because I would not want to know that I was going to end up living the end of my life not being able to remember what I had for breakfast that day or not being able to remember my own children and family members. I feel for all my tenants that have Alzheimer’s, it’s...
Words: 447 - Pages: 2
...to find more information about Genetic Screening for Diseases and Disorders:"FAQ About Genetic Testing." FAQ About Genetic Testing. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Dec. 2013. http://www.genome.gov/19516567You can find reliable, and more information here at this website because it goes into specific detail about genetic screening, what it is exactly, and the break down of genetic screening. All need to access is a computer and just type in the URL above."Genetic Testing." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2013. <http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/genetics.htmlIf you want more information on Genetic screening during pregnancy this is a great site to visit. It is very broad, but helpful. Great help for the future. The book below has a little section in it that has information about genetic screening that could help.Teichler-Zallen, Doris. "Genetic Screening and Testing." To Test or Not to Test: A Guide to Genetic Screening and Risk. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers UP, 2008. N. page. Print. | | | MLA Work Citation"First Trimester Screen." American Pregnancy Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.http://americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/firstscreen.html"Genetic Screening and Diagnostics." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2013. "Genetic Testing." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2013.<http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/genetics.html>."Health 101: Genetic Testing Before & During Pregnancy."...
Words: 1021 - Pages: 5
