EthicsEthics Corney Crumbley

GeneticsGenetics

Genetics has given the world so much ◦Testing for diseases

Down syndrome◦Vaccines

Flu from chicken eggs Polo, small pox

◦Forensics Blood samples

◦Agricultural Pesticides Increase growing yields Resistance to disease

◦Etc…….

But……But……

Like all that is good there is bad or what we think is bad!!!!

There lies ethical issues to some to these great advances

Some feel as if we as humans are going to far◦Playing God!!! ◦Creating disease

The rights of others maybe taken away ◦Termination of life ◦Unlawful courts

ScreeningScreening

Screening has allowed for treatment and parental decisions pre-birth.◦Relieve uncertainty during pregnancy.◦Allows for treatment to take place early

increasing chance of survival. Such the case with cystic fibrosis.

◦Lets parents know if kids is an good option Two parents with the same allele for autosomal disease.

◦Better health care Allows for better choices finically.

Less chance of miss diagnosing◦Since many genetic disorders have similar

symptoms. Cystic fibrosis, Pompe both have respiratory symptoms.

Abortion issues ◦There are greater increases in parents aborting

children that are found to test positive for down syndrome

◦91%-93% off all abortion positive fetus are terminated

◦Test are sometimes false positive

Harm of screening Harm of screening

Finical issues. ◦ Insurance companies can refuse coverage or charge

higher premiums. Some feel that screening is dangerous to mother

and or fetus. ◦ Chorionic villus sampling – requires biopsy.

1 out 360 risk of miscarriage. ◦ Other test require fluid from the placenta.

Vaccines Vaccines

Benefits HarmHas saved many lives

◦ Diseases once incurable now are.

◦ Polo no longer existence. ◦ Smallpox has low

numbers. Saved billions in health

care ◦ Hospitals no longer have

to care for certain diseases.

World relief ◦ Vaccines has help bonds

between nations.

Some feel that they cause neurological mutations.◦ Autism

May have link to childhood vaccination

◦ Dystonia Rare neurological movement

disorder inherited from mother May have link to flu shot.

Some religions feel they are wrong.

Some feel that children are given to many.

Can make you sick ◦ Such the case with the flu

shot.

•Vaccines are created by using a vessel such as chicken eggs, or various mammals blood. •The method in which the disease is weakened is through mutation of its genetic structure to render it virtually useless.

Effects of vaccines Effects of vaccines

Disease

Baseline 20th Century Annual Cases

2006 CasesPercent Decrease

Measles 503,282 55 99.9%Diphtheria 175,885 0 100%Mumps 152,209 6,584 95.7%Pertussis 147,271 15,632 89.4%Smallpox 48,164 0 100%Rubella 47,745 11 99.9%Haemophilus influenzae type b, invasive

20,000 29 99.9%

Polio 16,316 0 100%Tetanus 1,314 41 96.9%

Ecological Ecological

Genetics and ecology have been hot topic in recent years.

There has been extensive research with microbes to deter pest, clean oil spills, and remove carcinogenic from the environment.◦ Bioremediation◦ Conversion of harmful products to safe products Trichloroethylene =>

CO2

Agricultural benefits ◦ Creation of Transgentic plants

Plants infused with natural pesticide microbes. ◦ Increased yield of fertilizers ◦ Cloning plants to ensure best yield

Think bananas!!!

Ecological concerns Ecological concerns

Cloning has major side effects◦ Possible genetic break down over time.◦ What's the problem when everyone is the same!!!

We all have the same weakness to pathogens. No genetic diversity to build resistance.

◦ Banana scare last year due to this ◦ Some scientist suggest against cloning food!!!

Possible ecological disasters ◦ Genetic influence can create some harmful pathogens ◦ DDT

Once used as a pesticide, mutated into a toxin ◦Extremely effective against pest though.

Causes cancer, U.S government proved sanctions against its use

Causes huge wildlife problems ◦Mostly to birds, and aquatic wild life ◦Causes cancer and reproductive problems in humans.

◦Maybe possible with the microbe used to clean oil spills Could possibly mutate into a pathogen in the environment.

Creation of bio-weapons through research◦Anthrax ◦Crop destroying microbes ◦Mustard gases

There are other reasons for and There are other reasons for and against Geneticsagainst Genetics

What do you think?◦Scenarios◦How do you feel about genetic testing that will

change the phenotype of you child? Such as pick height ,weight, eyes, and or hair color?

Questions Questions

What would you do if your child tested positive for Down Syndrome and would you allow for your child to be tested for diseases?

Do you feel that genetics is giving humans to much power?

questionsquestions

Do you think that hormones and genetic enhancing of live stock and has effected children today?

Rats were used to treat cystic fibrosis, dogs were used in hemophilia and bone marrow genetic research. Do you think that genetic research is appropriate on animals?

What do you think? What do you think?

Do you think that genetic information should be used for insurance purposes?

Should we have the right to decide the sex of our child?

Pros and cons against cloning?