Ethical Issues in Genetics and Stem Cell Research: A Review

This essay delves into the complex ethical landscape of genetic and stem cell research, focusing on chapters 5 and 18. It explores the advancements and controversies surrounding preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), sex selection, and stem cell research. The essay examines ethical concerns such as discrimination against individuals with disabilities, the potential for increased sexism due to sex selection, and the widening gap between the rich and poor. Furthermore, it addresses the ethical dilemmas of stem cell research, including the use and destruction of embryos, therapeutic cloning, and the exploitation of women in the process of egg harvesting. The essay highlights the critical need for ethical considerations to guide these rapidly evolving fields, offering a comprehensive overview of the moral and societal implications of these technologies.

Running head: HUMAN ETHICS 1
Human Ethics Chapter 5 & 18
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

HUMAN ETHICS 2
Human Ethics Chapter 5 & 18
Chapter 5
The field of genetic research relies on science and technology. This research area
continues to grow as there is an increased need for the elimination of undesirable traits and the
production of desirable ones. Through the study of the entire human genetic makeup in the
Human Genome Project (HGP), scientists can identify the causes of particular ailments and
suggest more effective diagnosis and treatments. However, the adoption of selective
reproduction and stem cell research faces major ethical concerns. Some people are entirely
opposing or agreeing to this technology.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure that involves the genetic
profiling of embryos: embryos are tested for specific genetic factors before implantation through
in-vitro fertilization. It prevents the transmission of lethal genetic conditions to the offspring of
high-genetic-risk couples (Winkelman et al., 2015). However, the preimplantation genetic
diagnosis has been termed to be discriminatory against persons with a disability since this
assisted reproductive technology involves the disposal of early-stage embryos with genetic
disorders. Instead, the disability rights advocates necessitate for a change in the communities’
attitudes on disability.
Sex selection controls the sex of a child to achieve the desired outcome; by the use of
medical procedures to select a child’s gender. The choice can either be for medical reasons; to
eliminate the likelihood of sex-linked genetic disorders or for non-medical purposes; parental
preferences. The procedure involves the selection of embryos for implantation, sorting out
sperms, and selectively ending pregnancies (Winkelman et al., 2015). A major ethical issue
about sex selection for non-medical motives is the rise of sexism: sex stereotyping. Despite

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invoking a moral principle of autonomy, sex selection through PGD distorts the male to female
sex ratio leading to the gender disparity. Besides, parental preference hampers a child’s right to
an open future while at the same time creating performance expectations that might lower their
self-esteem. Under the principles of distributive justice, sex selection is likely to widen the gap
between the poor and the rich.
Chapter 18
Stem cell research gives a basic understanding of human differentiation and development
as well as hope for new therapies for diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (King & Perrin, 2014).
Stem cells can divide, renew themselves and modified to give rise to specialized cells. They can
be obtained from embryos, amniotic fluid, menstrual blood, and adult cells. However, ethical
controversies arise on the use of embryos for research, which involves destroying the embryos
that are believed to be human with moral status.
More also, therapeutic cloning is subject to ethical concerns as critics believe that it
involves the creation of humans only to be used for treatment or research. Critics contend that
cloning using somatic cell nuclear transfer does not create a new human since it sperms are not
used; instead, it arouses a developmental potential of an already living individual (King & Perrin,
2014). Ethicists believe that somatic cell nuclear transfer researches violate the principles of
nonmaleficence. More also, it has an exploitative impact on women who are subject to ovarian
suppression and hyperstimulation to harvest dozens of eggs. Such procedures pose risks to
women as they are likely to get the Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) that is
characterized by nausea, abdominal distress, and ovarian enlargement.
The adoption of selective reproduction and stem cell research has been subject to
controversies. These procedures face criticism especially on the use of embryos. More also, there

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are ethical concerns on the sexism, discrimination against the disabled, social class gap, and
health risks to women who donate ova for research purposes.
References

HUMAN ETHICS 5
King, N. M., & Perrin, J. (2014). Ethical issues in stem cell research and therapy. Stem cell &
therapy, 5(4), 85.
Winkelman, W. D., Misser, S. A., Myers, D., & Ginsburg, E. S. (2015). Public perspectives on
the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Journal of assisted reproduction and
genetics, 32(5), 665-675.