...“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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...blue eyes and fair skin. During that time, eugenics was mainly achived by selective breeding, meaning that individuals would reproduce with other individuals who fufilled the Aryan requirements. Today, in the 21st century, eugenics is more scientific. In 2003, scientists finished mapping out the human genome- a blueprint for the human race. The practice was first introduced to the USA in 2009 at a fertility clinic in Los Angeles, California. The clinic tried to offer hair and eye colour choices to prospective parents. This attempt caused a lot of public back lash. The process takes place by collecting eggs from the mother which are then fertilized in vitro with the father's sperm. After a successful fertilization, many genetic tests, called pre-implantion genetic diagnosis or PGD, are run to determine if the embryo has any defects such as down syndrome, heart issues, spina bifada, deafness and blindness. If the embryos pass this stage, they go into more indepth and specific tests. The parents set out a list of desirable and undesirable characteristics such as hair colour, eye colour, and skin colour, height and even their build. In some cases, the parents can select their future child's attitude, temperment and other characteristics. In some places, genetically modified babies are banned. There are many ethical issues associated with eugenics, often called "designer babies" amoung activist groups, religious organizations and average citizens of Earth. 2007 in...
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...Biotechnology Research Genetic Engineering • Description and How It Works Genetic Engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA to an organism. The goal is to add one or more new traits that are not already found in the organism, and to enhance or modify the organism’s characteristics. The process starts by identifying a gene that controls the desired trait and using various chemicals to extract it from the DNA strands. An insertion package is prepared that includes several unrelated genes that lets the trait gene survive in an alien organism. Then, the package is forced into the host organism’s cells which is attempted using several various vectors. The most common for plants is bacteria; the insertion package is hooked onto the bacteria’s...
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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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...Designer babies Since the discovery of DNA in the late 1950's, the possibility of genetic modification of animals and plants has become a reality. The term designer baby refers to the genetic modification of the child in its early fetal life. The world of genetic modification has long moved on from the days of Dolly the Sheep. How is a designer baby created? * An embryo is created by in-vitro fertilization (IVF). * A single cell is removed from that embryo within the first 5 days of its creation. * The cell is genetically tested. * The parents decide whether to discard the embryo or implant it in the mother's womb. Human Genome Project The Human Genome Project (HGP) was the international, collaborative research program whose goal was the complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings. All our genes together are known as our "genome." The Human Genome Project started in the 1980s as an organized effort to provide the information researchers need to understand the genetic basis of all disease. GINA is the first major federal law to come out of the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications portion of the Human Genome Project. This law made sure that people were treated fairly when it came to getting a job and stuff like that even if they had a disorder or disease Literature review Mark Hughes, a pioneer of the PGD process and director of Genesis Genetics Institute says, “It’s technically feasible and it can be done,” adding that “no...
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... and genetic factors. Genetic traits such as family members already having breast cancer prior to a patient’s diagnosis can play a significant role, which many physicians agree that cancer is hereditary. Another risk related factor to breast cancer...
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...Study Guide 1. Gravida-any pregnancy, regardless of duration, including present pregnancy. Para-birth after 20 weeks gestation regardless of whether the infant is born alive or dead. Gravida and Para-used in relationto pregnancies, not number of fetus. Nulligravida-a woman who has never been pregnant. Primigravda-a woman who is pregnant for the first time. Multigravida-a woman who is in her second or any subsequent pregnancy. Nullipara-a woman who has had no births at more than 20 weeks gestation. Primipara-a woman who has had one birth at more than 20 weeks gestation, regardless of whether the infant was born alive or dead. Multipara-a woman who has had 2 or more births at more than 20 weeks gestation. 1b. How are multiples accounted for? TWINS=1PREGNANCY 1 BIRTH 2. What is the GTPAL system? Gravida=number of pregnancy, Term=Infants born 37-42 weeks’ gestation, Preterm=Infants born 20-36 weeks’ gestation, Abortion=Pregnancies ending in either spontaneous or therapeutic abortion, Living=Number of living children 3. How long is pregnancy? Pregnancy last 40 weeks. 4. Explain Nagele’s rule for calculating the due date. Nagele’s rule: First day of LMP-3 months+7days 5. Describe antepartum uterine and fetal assessments: McDonald’s method-Measuring the distance in cm from the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterine fundus. Should correlate with the weeks gestation. Usually cm is less the last few weeks of pregnancy related to the baby dropping. Quickening-Fetal...
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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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...Designer Babies A couple just got married a few weeks ago, and they are looking for the perfect car. They go down to the dealership in hopes of finding their dream car. The couple gets there and continues to look around, when they find a Buick Enclave. It is brand new and looks nice, but it does not have everything they are looking for. A salesman comes over to ask if they need some assistance, and they tell the salesman they like the car but it just does not have all the things they are looking for. The salesman tells them it is not a problem; they can just special order the car if they wanted. The salesman brings them inside and hands them a list of options they are able to choose from. Color? Blue. Seats? Leather. DVD player? Heck yes! Seat warmers? Yes please. Chrome wheels? Of course. The salesman then sends the lists of options to the Buick Company so the couple’s car can be custom built. The couple is happy with the car they got to design themselves, but now it is time for them to have a child. The couple wants their child to be a girl, somewhat tall, with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and olive skin tone. They go to the doctors and the doctor tells them that it is possible for them to have their “dream child”. The couple is ecstatic and tells the doctor what they want. Nine months later they have themselves their perfect child. Scientists have already modified animals and crops, so why not babies? There are arguably positive and negative results...
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...materials anymore, it’s reached a new level; genetics. There is nothing ethical about being able to essentially manipulate the genes of a fetus to reflect characteristics deemed suitable by the parents. The characteristics chosen by the parents, such as a medical miracle match of genes to another sibling, set the child up to become what the parents want and not necessarily what the child wants to be. Genetic alteration of the baby also contributes to the unfairness that is gender preference and gender based discrimination. The possibility of genetic hierarchies, to which those that are not genetically enhanced are considered inferior, will increase tremendously because of the increasing gap between classes. It is understandable that technology is moving humanity towards a better more advanced future, but what shouldn’t be forgotten is that some things created in nature cannot be replaced by technology. Designer babies are just one of the few gray areas in which science infringes upon the way of nature. Scientists claim that not everything about genetically altered test tube babies can be considered bad. Science has been able to manipulate fetuses to be born with distinct genes and traits that are considered “savior” because everything about them can be used to help an ailing sibling. The process of selectively screening certain genetic traits and then re-implanting them back into the mother is called Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis. The term designer is derived from...
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...Original Alphabetical Which of the following was the result of the Beecher article? Realization that ethical abuses are not limited to the Nazi regime The use of prisoners in research is a concern under the Belmont principle of Justice because: Prisoners may be used to conduct research that only benefits the larger society Issued in 1974, 45 CFR 46 raised to regulatory status: US Public Health Service Policy (45 CFR 46 raised to regulatory status the US Public Health Service policy of 1966 "Clinical research and investigation involving human beings".) Which of the following brought increased public attention to the problems with the IRB system? Death of Jesse Gelsinger (Although all of these are related to the problems with the IRB system, the death of Jesse Gelsinger was what received public attention.) Which of the following is included in the Nuremberg Code? Voluntary Consent Informed consent is considered an application of which Belmont principle? **** Respect for Persons (Respect for persons involves respecting individual autonomy in the decision to participate in research. That respect is implemented through the process of informed consent) How should the investigator proceed, with respect to the IRB, after the discovery of the adverse event occurrence? Report the adverse drug experience in a timely manner, in keeping with the IRB's policies and procedures, using the forms or the mechanism provided by the IRB. How long is an investigator...
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...The Bipolar Disorder Barbara Nelson Liberty University Abstract Those with bipolar disorders have changes in mood that effect energy and personality which are more severe than most individual have each day. These changes can cause difficulties with those at home or at where the individual is employed. Adults and children have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, often it is view as depression in children rather than bipolar disorder. If a family member is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it increases the chance of other family members to develop it. Suicidal behavior is common in those with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is treated with medication and psychotherapy for better outcome which is supported by research. By integrating treatment and spiritual integration, the individual with bipolar disorder can make gains in living a full life. . The Bipolar Disorder The condition of bipolar disorder is a mental...
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...Antonie van Leeuwenhoek81: 537–547, 2002. © 2002Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. 537 Antibiotic production by bacterial biocontrol agents Jos M. Raaijmakers ∗ , Maria Vlami & Jorge T. de Souza Department of Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Binnenhaven 5, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands (∗ Author for correspondence) Abstract Interest in biological control of plant pathogens has been stimulated in recent years by trends in agriculture to-wards greater sustainability and public concern about the use of hazardous pesticides. There is now unequivocal evidence that antibiotics play a key role in the suppression of various soilborne plant pathogens by antagonistic microorganisms. The significance of antibiotics in biocontrol, and more generally in microbial interactions, often has been questioned because of the indirect nature of the supporting evidence and the perceived constraints to an-tibiotic production in rhizosphere environments. Reporter gene systems and bio-analytical techniques have clearly demonstrated that antibiotics are produced in the spermosphere and rhizosphere of a variety of host plants. Several abiotic factors such as oxygen, temperature, specific carbon and nitrogen sources, and microelements have been identified to influence antibiotic production by bacteria biocontrol agents. Among the biotic factors that may play a determinative role in antibiotic production are the plant host, the...
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...MODEL, AND PROSTATE CANCER What is the Impact of the New Prostate Cancer screening guidelines on Black Men? And The Health Belief Model Calvin Sneed Marymount University August 1st 2014 Introduction Prostate cancer is a highly prevalent disease with an estimate of 30,000 deaths and 233,000 new cases predicted for the United States in 2014 (ACS, 2014). It is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men but is highly survivable if diagnosed correctly. In fact, the American Cancer Society (2014) has stated the relative five and ten year survival rates for the disease are 100 percent and 99 percent respectively. These figures indicate the importance of early detection screenings like the Prostate Specific Antigen test (PSA) and the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) in regards to surviving the disease. “Since using early detection tests for Prostate Cancer became relatively common in the United States (about 1990), the prostate cancer death rate has dropped” (ACS, 2014). However, there has been a contentious debate in recent years involving many organizations on the adequacy of these early detection measures (American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2013). Controversy stems from studies like the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening trial. The early research from this study indicated there was no evidence of a mortality benefit in having an annual PSA screening done (Andriole, Crawford, Grubb, Buys, and Chia, 2009). After Extensive...
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...Arsenic in Apple Juice: Action Level December 6, 2013 Table of Contents Description of Proposal Background Problem Analysis Cons Flaws in Studies Used Flaws in Methodology Limit Unattainable Unintended consequences Pros Recommendation Works Cited 3 3 5 7 7 9 10 11 12 14 Description of Proposal The FDA has proposed a reduced limit on the inorganic arsenic present in apple juice in order to protect human health and believes the standard is attainable through the use of good manufacturing processes (US FDA, 2013). Background Arsenic is an element present in the environment from both anthropogenic and natural sources. It can be found in two different forms, organic and inorganic, which together are called total arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is considered to be the more toxic of the two, and consumption has been linked to cancer, skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and diabetes in humans. Organic arsenic can turn into inorganic arsenic in the environment and in the body through digestion by people or animals. Apple juice is just one example of a food exposed to arsenic, which is likely due to the contaminated soil the crop grew in. While some manufacturers may be able to make changes and reduce arsenic levels, it is often hard or even impossible to trace arsenic back to a specific cause. Apple juice poses a greater threat to children since they often consume more of the drink in relation to their...
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