Preview

Should Gene Testing Be Compulsory to Unborn Children

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
826 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Should Gene Testing Be Compulsory to Unborn Children
Gene testing on unborn children is a revolutionary method that is available to doctors and would-be parents of late. The main objective of gene testing is to know whether parents are carriers of any genes that could hypothetically cause a genetic abnormality. It is important to understand the condition where genetic testing should be recommended in society as there can be benefits of getting the test done on an unborn child. This issue however should not be compulsory because there are many factors that show the risks of genetic testing which can lead to death. Problems can be corrected before the birth of the baby but can cause psychological problems for the parents. The parents should get a choice whether or not the test is done but if it’s compulsory, the parents could find out that their child will have a disease and want to abort the baby. Parents can prepare if they know their child will have a genetic disorder but this comes with a price as not all insurance companies can help with these expenses.

Genetic testing on unborn children can lead to psychological problems for the parents. There are certain problems that can be resolved so that the baby is born with a good health and no risk for the future. Once it is known that the foetus is having or is likely to have a genetic defect, the doctor can successfully condition the birth of a healthy child. If parents know that their child could have such a disease this can put pressure on the parent. This can result in anxiety about the possible results. Some parents can get confused about the condition as in the case whether the baby is known to carry a mutation, but sometimes the parents may not come to the conclusion that the baby will not contract the genetic disorder too. This point also questions the accuracy of the results. In cases where a correction in the womb is not possible, a surgery is conducted soon after delivery, which in most cases is a minor one. Knowing that a surgery is taking place, the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Risks associated with genetic testing risk of discrimination in health insurance and employment. Also, people may experience emotional, social, or financial consequences from the test results.…

    • 825 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Tay Sachs Research Paper

    • 1245 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Genetic testing can also be performed on parents before they conceive a child to determine whether they are carriers of the disease. This would be especially important if both parents were from high-risk populations to prevent families from going through this horrible experience.…

    • 1245 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Human Genome project, a revolutionary study that spanned over 13 years, hoped to discover more about the DNA of humans. The study's main goal was to provide new information to help with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of genetic disorders. From the substantial amount of information and knowledge acquired from the project, new ways to test for genetic disorders, and the probabilities of inheriting disorders was gained. Gene testing, which involved taking a sample of a persons DNA, helped screen for a number of different disorders and problems. Before genetic testing, couples at risk of conceiving a child with a particular genetic disorder would have to initiate the pregnancy and then undergo the testing, faced with the dilemma of terminating the birth if the results weren't good. But because of the new technology available, with the combined effort of IVF, sperm and egg cells can be removed from both individuals, and the eggs would then be fertilized within a laboratory. The embryo's would then be tested for genetic mutations,…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although not unanimously supported, the use of pre-embryonic diagnosis to screen for disease is generally accepted, this however leads to debate about how much freedom people should be allowed to make decisions about their future children. The issues arise as it is difficult to take an objective view on the topic, with many factors affecting peoples’ views. As there is in fact already a process of natural selection, perhaps it would be best to allow this to progress at its natural rate. On the other hand, if it is possible to allow people to decide elements of their child’s future, then who has the right to stop them from doing so? Can it be reasonable for a group of doctors and politicians to decide the fate of a generation? Especially where health matters are concerned.…

    • 305 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Tay-Sachs Disease

    • 1949 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Concerning genetic testing in general, a study found that among those who were confirmed to have the Tay-Sachs recessive gene, “about half of the carriers expressed a sense of shocked surprise… having been found to have some imperfection” (Childs). A lack of understanding or a false misconception about the idea of “carrier” status results in discomfort and an unwillingness to be tested; preferring a state of blissful ignorance. Since Tay-Sachs is an autosomal recessive disorder, being a carrier does not mean one has an “imperfection” or one has the potential to develop the disease but that they have the potential to pass on the disease to their children. They also do not express symptoms of the disease-- a common misbelief. And, even despite being a carrier, it does not mean that one’s child would ultimately be a Tay-Sachs child or even a carrier; “if only one parent is a carrier, there is no chance the child will have Tay-Sachs...a 2 in 4 (50%) chance that the child will be a carrier” (“Tay-Sachs Disease”). A diagnosis is not a condemning statement, but makes the prospective parents aware of the “potential” harm that might befall the child, if both happen to be carriers. In addition, Rosner states that “if the purpose of Tay-Sachs screening is to provide eligible clients with genetic counseling about reproductive and mating options, few would argue against screening” (Rosner).The common stigma that genetic screening may be used outside of medical usage breeds the misconception that genetic testing is wholistically bad and may be used to harm the individual. However, Rosner argues, that genetic screening is inherently not bad, but the way we use it. However, on the topic of the latter method, prenatal screening is riddled with controversy, specifically with the ability to pick the reproductive route. Since…

    • 1949 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although many of the prenatal diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis, amniotic fluid test, or molecular assays such as real time Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), RNA testing, are being used and benefited from couples wishing to have healthy infants, detecting zika virus by prenatal diagnostic testing raises many important ethical issues. First of all, judgment is one of the most important values related to prenatal testing. Parents are choosing to terminate a pregnancy based on indication of virus infection that causes birth defects no matter what the consequences. Regarding to the Institute of Medicine, prenatal testing should not be used for minor conditions. How is responsible for making the decision if it is a minor…

    • 200 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Genetic testing has potential benefits, such as you can see if your chromosomes are positive for a genetic mutation. Test results can provide a sense of relief from uncertainty about having a mentally or physical ill child because no one wants that for your child. They also help people make informed decisions about managing their health care. For example, a negative result for the mutation can eliminate the need for unnecessary checkups and screening tests in some cases. A positive result, having the mutation, can direct a person toward available prevention, monitoring, and treatment options. Some test results can also help people make decisions about having children. Newborn screening can identify genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as early as possible.…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Some of the pros include providing a sense of relief to parents who are concerned and uncertain of the possibility of their child having a disorder (if the test is negative), if it is bad news, at least the parents can be prepared mentally as to what they can be faced with. Early detection is key, if detected early, a plan can be set in place as to the future doctor's appointments, accommodations for the child, and possible surgeries if needed to plan ahead. Also, if diagnosed early, appropriate treatment can be given to the fetus before and after birth if necessary (Lea, Williams & Donahue, 2005, pp. 234-240). Genetic conditions often run in the family, defective genes may be carried from generation to generation whether physically present or not. Information gathered from testing can also help members of the family to be on high alert when planning for children of their own (Kuehn, 2008, pp. 1637-1639). The "Prenatal Genome Testing Sparks Debate" article describes another pro although difficulty to consider, as the parents having the choice to terminate the pregnancy if they feel that the responsibility of their baby's condition is too much (2008). On the other hand, some of the cons include creating anxiety for the parents because of the testing and the results to come. But as mentioned above, one of the problems with genetic and prenatal testing is that it gives false results. The person has to know going into the test that there is a possibility that a negative test can turn out to be positive and that a positive test can turn out to be negative (Schmitz, 2013, pp. 357-364). Another con is the view on terminating the pregnancy if indeed the child has an abnormality. Especially religious groups feel that regardless of chromosomal abnormalities, terminating is not right. This can also cause trouble between the mother and father as well (Schmitz, 2013, pp. 357-364). As mentioned above, the cost of…

    • 1673 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prenatal Testing Ethics

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This paper explores the scientific and ethical considerations of DNA testing in prenatal testing (PT).Taking into consideration non-invasive and invasive sampling and the ethical issues DNA testing raises. Cell-free fetal DNA (CffDNA) in prenatal screening which considers being a recent non-invasive technique. This non-invasive diagnostic test believes to be much safer and can be performed in early pregnancy easily comparing to invasive diagnostic testing. However, CffDNA has flows such as confidentiality, informed consent, and counseling.…

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Since the test involves taking only a small blood sample, where a person’s DNA can be found, these tests have a minimal health risk. Genetic testing was initially used in pregnancies to test for diseases like Down's Syndrome and other genetic disorders (“What are the...”). However, thanks to more recent improvements, genetic testing has come to display several weaknesses and strengths. The genes that can be obtained from infants can notify parents of possible physical deficiencies, while others may show physical advantages (Stein).…

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    From a patient’s perspective, people tend to see genetic information as more definitive, in the sense that 'you cannot change your genes' and that 'genes tell all about your future.’ Such genetic determinism is an oversimplification and does not take into account the nature of biologic pathways. From a provider’s perspective, genomics presents challenges with respect to ethical and professional responsibilities, including the appropriate use of genomic information in the health care setting. I believe that there should be an identification of provider education programs that increase use of appropriate screening, counseling and evidence-based genetic tests. By increasing the effectiveness of genomic testing, it will help dissolve the negative association and further increase the proportion of people who are willing to receive genetic…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eugenics can have an upside to human life. Eugenics can be used to assess a child’s medical needs. Parents already know the particular DNA makeup of their unborn child, which allows them to be prepared to meet the medical needs of that…

    • 938 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As research continues to uncover new disease-causing mutations, the prospect of stopping the transmission of heritable diseases increases. With the use of modern technology, expecting parents can now be prescreened in order to determine their carrier status for certain diseases. Parents who choose to use in vitro fertilization are able to choose embryos that are free of disease due to preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Additionally, parents can be provided with information on their unborn child with the use of prenatal genetic testing. Some individuals view modern genetic technology as eugenic; however, this biggest difference between eugenics now and eugenics during the 1900s is consent. Today individuals pursue genetic testing by choice and policies on ethics and consent prevent reoccurrences of the immoral endeavors within the field of…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Developmental Science

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Two procedures can help parents have healthy children, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. In genetic counseling, the couple is able to assess their chances of having a child that has some type of disorder; prenatal diagnosis allows the detection of problems before birth that may cause complications throughout the lifespan, i.e. heart deformities, and the doctor may perform surgery in order to produce a healthy child.…

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    If you could take the chance to see if your baby had any harmful diseases before delivery, would you? There needs to be accessibility to the tests so that parents will be more ready financially and emotionally for any birth abnormalities. 1 in 33 babies are affected with birth defects in the US each year (Prenatal Nierneberg). Birth defects could be prevented or the parents could be ready for the possible outcomes after birth. The Federal government should legislate for more accessibility to prenatal genetic testing by increasing funding to testing facilities, increasing funding towards research for new forms of testing, and by reducing restrictions on physicians.…

    • 846 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics