EthicsEthics Corney Crumbley
GeneticsGenetics
Genetics has given the world so much ◦Testing for diseases
Down syndrome◦Vaccines
Flu from chicken eggs Polo, small pox
◦Forensics Blood samples
◦Agricultural Pesticides Increase growing yields Resistance to disease
◦Etc…….
But……But……
Like all that is good there is bad or what we think is bad!!!!
There lies ethical issues to some to these great advances
Some feel as if we as humans are going to far◦Playing God!!! ◦Creating disease
The rights of others maybe taken away ◦Termination of life ◦Unlawful courts
ScreeningScreening
Screening has allowed for treatment and parental decisions pre-birth.◦Relieve uncertainty during pregnancy.◦Allows for treatment to take place early
increasing chance of survival. Such the case with cystic fibrosis.
◦Lets parents know if kids is an good option Two parents with the same allele for autosomal disease.
◦Better health care Allows for better choices finically.
Less chance of miss diagnosing◦Since many genetic disorders have similar
symptoms. Cystic fibrosis, Pompe both have respiratory symptoms.
Abortion issues ◦There are greater increases in parents aborting
children that are found to test positive for down syndrome
◦91%-93% off all abortion positive fetus are terminated
◦Test are sometimes false positive
Harm of screening Harm of screening
Finical issues. ◦ Insurance companies can refuse coverage or charge
higher premiums. Some feel that screening is dangerous to mother
and or fetus. ◦ Chorionic villus sampling – requires biopsy.
1 out 360 risk of miscarriage. ◦ Other test require fluid from the placenta.
Vaccines Vaccines
Benefits HarmHas saved many lives
◦ Diseases once incurable now are.
◦ Polo no longer existence. ◦ Smallpox has low
numbers. Saved billions in health
care ◦ Hospitals no longer have
to care for certain diseases.
World relief ◦ Vaccines has help bonds
between nations.
Some feel that they cause neurological mutations.◦ Autism
May have link to childhood vaccination
◦ Dystonia Rare neurological movement
disorder inherited from mother May have link to flu shot.
Some religions feel they are wrong.
Some feel that children are given to many.
Can make you sick ◦ Such the case with the flu
shot.
•Vaccines are created by using a vessel such as chicken eggs, or various mammals blood. •The method in which the disease is weakened is through mutation of its genetic structure to render it virtually useless.
Effects of vaccines Effects of vaccines
Disease
Baseline 20th Century Annual Cases
2006 CasesPercent Decrease
Measles 503,282 55 99.9%Diphtheria 175,885 0 100%Mumps 152,209 6,584 95.7%Pertussis 147,271 15,632 89.4%Smallpox 48,164 0 100%Rubella 47,745 11 99.9%Haemophilus influenzae type b, invasive
20,000 29 99.9%
Polio 16,316 0 100%Tetanus 1,314 41 96.9%
Ecological Ecological
Genetics and ecology have been hot topic in recent years.
There has been extensive research with microbes to deter pest, clean oil spills, and remove carcinogenic from the environment.◦ Bioremediation◦ Conversion of harmful products to safe products Trichloroethylene =>
CO2
Agricultural benefits ◦ Creation of Transgentic plants
Plants infused with natural pesticide microbes. ◦ Increased yield of fertilizers ◦ Cloning plants to ensure best yield
Think bananas!!!
Ecological concerns Ecological concerns
Cloning has major side effects◦ Possible genetic break down over time.◦ What's the problem when everyone is the same!!!
We all have the same weakness to pathogens. No genetic diversity to build resistance.
◦ Banana scare last year due to this ◦ Some scientist suggest against cloning food!!!
Possible ecological disasters ◦ Genetic influence can create some harmful pathogens ◦ DDT
Once used as a pesticide, mutated into a toxin ◦Extremely effective against pest though.
Causes cancer, U.S government proved sanctions against its use
Causes huge wildlife problems ◦Mostly to birds, and aquatic wild life ◦Causes cancer and reproductive problems in humans.
◦Maybe possible with the microbe used to clean oil spills Could possibly mutate into a pathogen in the environment.
Creation of bio-weapons through research◦Anthrax ◦Crop destroying microbes ◦Mustard gases
There are other reasons for and There are other reasons for and against Geneticsagainst Genetics
What do you think?◦Scenarios◦How do you feel about genetic testing that will
change the phenotype of you child? Such as pick height ,weight, eyes, and or hair color?
Questions Questions
What would you do if your child tested positive for Down Syndrome and would you allow for your child to be tested for diseases?
Do you feel that genetics is giving humans to much power?
questionsquestions
Do you think that hormones and genetic enhancing of live stock and has effected children today?
Rats were used to treat cystic fibrosis, dogs were used in hemophilia and bone marrow genetic research. Do you think that genetic research is appropriate on animals?
What do you think? What do you think?
Do you think that genetic information should be used for insurance purposes?
Should we have the right to decide the sex of our child?
Pros and cons against cloning?