Question

1. Explain the ethical principle(s) that could be used to argue against genetic testing of employees.
2. Explain the ethical principle(s) that could be used to argue for genetic testing of employees.
3. Explain your position on the issue of genetic testing of employees.
4. What if genetic testing was able to determine airborne illnesses carriers (like tuberculosis), would that your change your mind as to whether employers should be able to utilize these tests to make workplace decisions?

Answer 1

1) Generic testing of employees may lead to genetic discrimination. Also, this causes huge amount of stress and anxiety among employees. Also, the tests may or may not be certain, therefore can be misguiding in nature.

2) On the other hand, through genetic testing of employees, precautionary measures can be taken. Such that the diseases such as cancer are detected in the very primary stages and can be completely cured.

3) I personally feel genetic testing must to be done. Since this causes stress in individuals. Also, there is a high probability, that the individual may never have the disease in the first place. Instead he/she may spend entire life being afraid when the disease is going to crop up. Therefore, he/she will not be able to life a quality life. On contrary, necessary precautions related to lifestyle and medical aspects can be taken so that the disease is averted and the person is alert to respond immediately to an differences in physical and/or mental health.

4) Yes, I would definitely support genetic testing if it were to detect airborne diseases. These diseases spread via air and thus if even one employee could catch the disease, it would affect all the other employees. This would endanger lives of all and precautionary measures would be initiated as soon as genetic tests would indicate probability of these diseases.