Question

Discussion Question #1: Genetic Testing The recent explosion of knowledge about genetics raises many interesting practical and ethical questions about genetic testing. Initiate a discussion about the pros and cons of such testing: A. Do you believe that people should be tested to determine their susceptibility to certain diseases? When should this testing be done? At birth? Prenatally? B. Should parents be allowed to test their unborn children for the presence or absence of certain traits? C. Should they be allowed to make decisions about continuing the pregnancy on the basis of the results? D. If one member of a family discovers through genetic testing that she or he is susceptible to certain genetic disorders, is that person obligated to let other family members (who might share that susceptibility) know? Who should have access to this information? Health insurance companies? Potential employers? Discussion Question #2: Ethics of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Fertility and conception have changed drastically in the last several decades as medical interventions to enhance fertility and to assist in conceiving a child have become much more common. There are many ethical issues that are relevant to this topic. Most recently, the pregnancy of Nadya “Octomom” Suleman brought this issue to the forefront of the news once again. Ms. Suleman was a single, unemployed, mother of 6 children and used assisted reproductive technology to get pregnant again. She gave birth to octuplets. She now has 14 children. This case, and others like it, has caused much debate. (I have inserted a video clip within the homework folder for those of you who are not familiar with Ms. Suleman’s situation.) A. Should a woman with such limited resources be allowed to use Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)? B. Is it ethically defensible for a mother to choose not to selectively reduce the number of fetuses? C. What if there were serious developmental risks to the fetuses? D. What if there were serious health risks to the mother? E. What if the family will be unable to care for the children after they are born? F. With ART it is possible for considerably older women to have children. Are there any ethical objections to this?

Answer 1

1) Genetic testing basically uses different tool and techniques to detect the genetic disorders.

Pros of genetic testing: It helps us to know the particular site of gene that is responsible for particular diseases. It helps to detect the mutation which might cause disease in future. Basically this test is more useful to detect the genetic diseases.

Cons of genetic testing: After performing genetic test if someone found to have any kind of genetic disorders then such person undergoes into depression. Sometimes it also affect other persons in the family and hamper the emotions. Genetic testing is also much costly.

Yes, students believe that they should be tested to determine their susceptibility to certain diseases so that if they found to have some genetic disorder then they can take proper medical treatment against that diseases.

This test should be done at prenatally stage because at that stage if found to have any kind of genetic disease then it can be cured by gene therapy.

No, parents should not be allowed to test their unborn children to check presence or absence of any kind of trait because in most of the country if parents doesn't found the traits suitable according to them then they abort the child.

If they found result is not much harmful for the children and mother then they should continue the pregnancy and vice- versa.

No, if someone found to have genetic diseases in a family then it becomes the responsibility of all family members to provide proper care to that person.

2) A - No -  Assisted Reproductive Technology is made for those women who can't conceive naturally.

B - Yes, it is ethically defensible for a mother to choose not to selectively reduce the number of fetuses because giving birth is a natural process and if mother having desire to give birth to more child then it is ok. If someone stops her to do so then it may harm her morality.

C - If there were serious developmental risks to the fetuses then mother should understand about the consequences and should drop the idea to give birth.

D - If there were serious health risks to the mother then she should not give birth to any child, but if she wants to have a child then she can adopt someone or can go for surrogacy.

E - If the family will be unable to care for the children after they are born then mother and father should take the responsibility of all her child.

F - Yes, it is possible for considerably older women to have children with the help of ART. Ethical objection is that the child born by older women will not be much fit, so it will be better for her to not give birth.