Week 1 Discussion Genetic Screening Our understanding of genetics combined with

Question

Week 1 Discussion Genetic Screening Our understanding of genetics combined with our technological advances now can allow expecting parents to screen their embryos for any known genetic abnormalities and genetic diseases. Questions: What constitutes a disease? What can be some of the ethical issues that can come from genetic screening? How about using genetic engineering of the embryos to alter certain characteristics - what could be the benefit that comes form this? What are the dangers of this kind of genetic manipulation?

Explanation / Answer

A genetic disease or disorder is the result of changes, or mutations, in an individual’s DNA. A mutation is a change in the letters (DNA sequence) that make up a gene. This is sometimes referred to as a “spelling” mistake. Genes code for proteins, the molecules that carry out most of the work, perform most life functions, and make up the majority of cellular structures. When a gene is mutated so that its protein product can no longer carry out its normal function, a disorder can result. Newborn genetic screening is a health program that identifies treatable genetic disorders in newborn infants. Early intervention to treat these disorders can eliminate or reduce symptoms that might otherwise cause a lifetime of disability. If a baby is born with a part of the body that is missing or malformed, it is called a structural birth defect. Heart defects are the most common type of structural defect. Others include spina bifida, cleft palate, clubfoot, and congenital dislocated hip. Gene editing isn't the only method to protect against certain hereditary conditions. Children stand a 50% chance of inheriting the condition; if a couple produces several embryos through in vitro fertilization, half of those already would theoretically be free of the mutation, and those are the ones that would be selected for implantation. Gene editing made the process more efficient, but it did not offer hope where there was none. Public policy and the field of bioethics have not caught up with the science of genetic intervention. Altering certain characteristics of the embryo means creating a designer baby.It reduces the risk of inherited medical conditions such as anemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and much more.It helps to eliminate mitochondrial disorders.The Parents can set their own limits for genetically engineering their baby. The dangers can be;Genetic engineers are not perfect people and cannot 100% properly evaluate every gene. They are more than likely mistakes will be made.If the process is not done carefully, the embryo could be accidentally terminated. Parents may use this technology for superficial purposes, such as purposely seeking out a blonde haired, blue eyed baby for appearance concerns only.Because the technology is so new, it is unknown whether the babies will affect the gene pool. This can cause difficulties later on throughout the baby’s family tree.

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