Questions to Help Guide You
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is, for now, optional. But many medical tests that start out as optional become less and less optional as time goes by.
- Who should decide when genetic tests are done?
- Do medical insurance companies have the right to learn the genetic profiles of individuals that they insure?
- Do employers have a right to know the genetic profiles of disorders of their employees who are in jobs in which there is a high risk to others - such as airline pilots, bus driver etc.?
Gene Therapy and Engineering
Some wonder if it's right to tinker with human DNA. Currently, treatments are focused on somatic cells, that is, cells in the body. Any changes are not passed on to later generations, because DNA in the gametes-eggs and sperm-is unaffected. But gamete gene therapy is possible. It could cure diseases before they happened, but might cause other unexpected problems that would persist in later generations.
- How can “good” and “bad” uses of gene therapy be distinguished?
- Who decides which traits are normal and which constitute a disability or disorder?
- Will the high costs of gene therapy make it available only to the wealthy?
- Could the widespread use of gene therapy make society less accepting of people who are different?
- Should people be allowed to use gene therapy to enhance basic human traits such as height, intelligence, or athletic ability?
Designer Babies?
If prenatal genetic tests become more common, will people with certain genetic traits, diseases, or even predispositions suffer increased discrimination? Will "designer babies" become the norm? For some, the opportunities presented by genetic testing and therapies smack of eugenics, the use of selective breeding to create "superior" people.
- Should parents be able to choose the sex of their child?
- What is the line that we, as a society, "should not" cross?
- Is screening for disease appropriate?
- What about screening for disease-causing mutations?
- Is genetic testing of prenatal babies harmful to the health of the baby and/or the mother?
- How reliable is genetic testing in predicting diseases?
- Should genetic testing for specific diseases be required?
- Who should have access to genetic testing results?
- Who could use genetic testing results to their advantage?
Cloning
The cloning of ‘Dolly’ the sheep in 1997 by Ian Wilmut and his colleagues at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh generated a spontaneous worldwide reaction. Dr. Richard Seed, an American geneticist, claimed he would be able to clone human beings within a year.
- Would the cloning of a beloved and dying pet be reasonable?
- What is the line we "should not" cross with cloning?
- Is it ethical to clone animals?
- Is it ethical to clone humans?
- Should research into cloning humans be allowed?
- What are the possible issues with research in this area?
Genetics and Business
Who "owns" the genetic information-or the life forms-that come from research? These questions arise with increasing frequency in industry, where patents are granted for genetically engineered plants and animals, and for genetic sequences.
Companies argue that without patents, they are left with no guarantee that they can recoup their investment when they discover key genes. But do patents stifle progress and the free exchange of ideas, so important in science?
- Should researcher organizations which are identifying sequences for specific proteins involved in genetic diseases and the establishment of test kits for these diseases have the right to patent these sequences as their own for the purpose of profit?
- Does using 23 and Me or Ancestry.com open someone up to an invasion of privacy? Is this technology reliable?
- How could results of DNA testing affect social/racial identities?
Genetically engineered food - GMO
The genetic modification of plants for food is a hot-button issue around the world. Genes transplanted to corn, potato, soy bean and other food strains can confer desired traits, such as resistance to pests, which lessens the need for toxic pesticides. Though genetically modified foods are thought to be safe to eat, their impact on the environment may not be fully known.
- How are genetically altered crops beneficial to society?
- Are there any harmful effects of genetically altered crops?
- Should all genetically modified crops be identified on labels?
Forensics in criminal cases - CODIS
DNA is being used in criminal cases but there are many different issues involved with this. People are questioning their 4th amendment rights - is your DNA private? Can a police officer demand your DNA? DNA has also helped exonerate (clear) criminals - even some on death row.
- What are some advantages and disadvantages of using genetic forensic evidence in criminal court cases?
- Is using DNA in forensics a well researched form of identification? If not what future research is required?
- Should law enforcement keep a database of the genetics of all criminals?
- What is the Innocence Project?
- Can law enforcement officers use 23 and Me or Ancestry.com to search for criminals?