Analyzing the Ethical, Social Implications of Genetic Research

This essay delves into the ethical and social implications of genetic research, examining perspectives from scientists, religious institutions, doctors, and the government. It highlights the benefits of genetic testing, such as identifying potential health risks and enabling prior preparations for childbirth, while also acknowledging ethical concerns like potential discrimination and societal views on practices like abortion. The essay further discusses the positive impact of genetic research on education by addressing complex topics like prenatal testing and its role in promoting diversity through advancements like transferring desirable characteristics between species. The author advocates for genetic testing, emphasizing its overall benefits outweigh its potential harms. Desklib provides access to this essay and a wealth of other study resources for students.

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Ethical implications of Genetic Research
Genetic testing can be defined as the process of studying DNA of an individual
to find out the similarities, differences or susceptibility to different diseases. This is
a process or rather technology that Scientists hold in high self esteem as they can be
used to preserve important remains for study in the future(Botkin, et al. 20).Besides,
scientists view this technology as beneficial since they can use the genetic testing
procedures to save or transfer desirable characteristics from one organism to
another. Apart from this, genetic testing can also be used to eliminate or reduce the
harm of some genetic diseases like the Downs Syndrome. Based on this
explanations, scientists view genetic testing as the right technology.

However, genetic testing is viewed as wrong technology by religious institutions
or individuals. According to the catholic religion to be particular, genetic testing is
totally wrong since some results can be very overwhelming and lead to undesirable
acts like abortion which the Church view as a sin(Green, et al. 398). Religious
institutions therefore perceive genetic testing technology as a wrong procedure.
According to majority of the doctors genetic testing can be used to establish the
likelihood of someone suffering from certain genetic conditions. Incase an
individual is susceptible to the genetic condition, necessary intervention programs
are initiated to prevent the harm or the cost of treatment of the condition. This
therefore implies that doctors view genetic testing as a right technology.

Sometimes there are disputes concerning families especially cases concerning
parental issues where some parents deny their biological children . In this cases, the
court usually order genetic tests to establish the truth if indeed they are
related(Malpas 12). This therefore implies that the government has no issue with
genetic testing technology.
Based on the above explanations or scenarios, it is evident that genetic testing
has more benefits as opposed to harm and in my own opinion, I would also advocate
for the same(Brukamp, et al.171). Genetic testing can be used to identify the gender
of the child to be born and can therefore allow prior preparations. Genetic testing
can also be used to check the health status of the child and incase it is risky to
sustain the pregnancy, abortion could be necessary to save the life of the mother. I
totally advocate for this technology.

Social implications of Genetic
Research
Genetic implications is known to have both positive and negative implications
on the society. One such negative implications is discrimination in the society. This
happens incase one has a genetic test and conducts an abortion. The society views
abortion as sinful and anyone who does practice this vice is subjected to
discrimination.

Genetic testing also assists insurance companies calculate the premiums that one
should be subjected to. For example, if an individual is insured against the risks of a
certain disorder which he or she already has, then the insurance company is likely to
charge more premiums as compared to that individual who is not affected by the
particular genetic condition.
Genetic research also has a positive implication on the education system.
Apparently, genetic research has been used to broach difficult situations like
prenatal testing to enable different interventions to take place which previously
never existed. The education system on several cases, should be changed to fit the
needs of the society and in this case the genetic testing is very relevant and therefore
the education system should consider moving in that line of genetics.

Connections between research
and diversity
Genetic testing has led to a lot of diversity. Apparently there are several studies
where certain desirable characteristics have been transferred to different organisms
and all this has been possible due to genetic research. There was a study where
DNA from bananas was transferred to another species of banana and this led to
improved yields. This therefore implies that genetic testing can lead to diversity.

Works Cited
Botkin, J., et al. "Points to Consider: Ethical, Legal, and Psychosocial Implications
of Genetic Testing in Children and Adolescents." The American Journal of Human
Genetics, vol. 97, no. 1, 2015, pp. 6-21, doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2015.05.022.
Brukamp, K., et al. "Genetic Transparency versus Genetic Privacy – The Complex
Ethics of Genetic Testing in Humans." Genetic Transparency? Ethical and Social
Implications of Next Generation Human Genomics and Genetic Medicine ,
pp. 149-192, doi:10.1163/9789004311893_007.
Green, R. C., et al. "GINA, Genetic Discrimination, and Genomic Medicine." New
England Journal of Medicine, vol. 372, no. 5, 2015, pp. 397-399,
doi:10.1056/nejmp1404776.
Malpas, P. J. "Genetic Testing." International Encyclopedia of Ethics, 2013,
doi:10.1002/9781444367072.wbiee051.