⚡ Essay On The Controversy Over Prenatal Genetic Screening

I do believe parents should be able to pick genetic characteristics of their children, only if it is absolutely necessary and the parents want to have their own child. But that's not the case, she said. Show More. Copy to Clipboard Reference Copied to Clipboard. Similarities Essay On The Controversy Over Prenatal Genetic Screening Genetic Screening And Abortion This contributes to Essay On The Controversy Over Prenatal Genetic Screening increased confusion on abortion practices related Essay On The Controversy Over Prenatal Genetic Screening positive genetic test results. However, recently stricter abortion laws and social pressure deny women the percy jackson monsters to abortion, Essay On The Controversy Over Prenatal Genetic Screening ignoring the reasons for Essay On The Controversy Over Prenatal Genetic Screening they arrive at this decision.

How to Decide About Prenatal Genetic Testing

This is done through the renewal of older methodologies and concepts. If a certain aspect cannot be renovated to improvement, it is eradicated. This ideology can be seen with the rise of the technologies in the science field, especially with respect to genetics. Currently, scientists have the ability to examine the genome of an embryo. Upon examining the genome of the embryo, scientists are able to determine the possible genetic disorders. This is when the concept of designer babies comes into play. A designer baby is a baby that has genetic interventions into the pre-implantation embryo in the attempt to influence the traits the resulting children will have Steinbock This means that the baby has its genes specifically chosen in order to ensure that a certain gene is or is not present.

This allows one to remove any possible defects that are present within a child or to warrant that a particular characteristic is present. The screening of embryos is called preimplantation genetic diagnosis and it is performed through in vitro fertilization IVF Ghose IVF is done through the retrieval of an egg during ovulation of the female, the insemination and fertilization of the egg, the genetic screening of the egg within the first five days of the insemination, and the transfer of the healthy embryo back into the mother to continue with the development of the child.

In this method, one is able to exclusively decide what characteristics are important enough to be a part of the genome of the developing child. This technique is called cytoplasmic transfer and the concept was to take the egg of an infertile woman and inject it with the cytoplasm of fertile women. In , the first baby conceived through cytoplasmic transfer was born, but there was much controversy over the issue once his paper was published.

Although this topic is not very new, the controversy over the it still remains. When the topic of designer babies is presented, there is a multitude of ethical reasons that arise; one important concept is the questioning of how safe it is. The side effects of such a process are still unknown. Although the transfer of the DNA could be successful, there is a great possibility of a reshuffling of the entire genome. Assuming that the transfer and selectivity is completely safe, can it truly be considered ethical? The first ethical question brought up was regarding the safety of this method. Other ethical reasons include the present fear that there could be an abuse of this innovative technology or that this methodology interferes with the path of nature.

Steinbock brings up the argument that parents who are willing to spend a large sum of money to ensure a child has certain traits shows that the parents have a perfectionistic quality that is incompatible with a good parenting style Steinbock This article is only one of many that discusses the ethics of designer babies. Ghose argues that being able to determine the sex of the baby could potentially lead to a sex-discrimination against women in society.

The results of genetic tests can be used to diagnose genetic disease, predict risks of disease, and identify carriers of genetic disease. Human genetic testing requires laboratory analysis of DNA isolated from samples including cells, blood, or amniotic fluid. Once a specific alteration in a gene that correlates with a disease had been identified, scientists develop tests that can distinguish an altered copy of the gene from a copy without the alteration.

Diagnostic or confirmatory genetic testing can identify or confirm the diagnosis of a disease or condition. Genetic tests can be used to determine whether a person will have a certain reaction towards a drug or medication. Adults thinking about having children can undergo carrier screening if they are concerned that they may be at risk to have a child with a genetic disease. Prenatal genetic testing of a developing fetus during pregnancy can identify an alteration linked to current or future diseases. Genetic testing of newborn babies can identify a genetic disease or condition.

Tests that identify molecular changes in DNA and biochemical tests that detect metabolic conditions are used. Genetic testing has potential benefits whether the results are positive or negative for a gene mutation. Test results can provide a sense of relief from uncertainty and help people make informed decisions about managing their health care. For example, a negative result can eliminate the need for unnecessary checkups and screening tests in some cases. A positive result can direct a person toward available prevention, monitoring, and treatment options.

Some test results can also help people make decisions about having children. Newborn screening can identify genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as early as possible. The physical risks associated with most genetic tests are very small, particularly for those tests that require only a blood sample or buccal smear a procedure that samples cells from the inside surface of the cheek. The procedures used for prenatal testing carry a small but real risk of losing the pregnancy miscarriage because they require a sample of amniotic fluid or tissue from around the fetus.

Many of the risks associated with genetic testing involve the emotional, social, or financial consequences of the test results. People may feel angry, depressed, anxious, or guilty about their results. In some cases, genetic testing creates tension within a family because the results can reveal information about other family members in addition to the person who is tested. The possibility of genetic discrimination in employment or insurance is also a concern.