Describe and Discuss a Specific Science and Technology Public Controversy in Light of One of the Following Explanatory Frameworks- Deficits in Public Understanding of Science, the Rise of Consumer Capitalism, or the Rise in Health Social Movements

Genetic screening uses a variety of laboratory procedures to find out if a person has a genetic condition or disorder or is likely to develop a disease based on his or her genetic make-up. Many people choose to have these tests if there family history involves diseases such as breast cancer of Huntington’s disease. However one of the latest controversies within society is that of prenatal genetic testing. Some believe that prenatal genetic testing has great potential for our society. They believe that it has the capability of improving and lengthening human life. If it is used properly, genetic testing can eliminate unforeseen suffering and distress. On the other hand some fear that will lead to the abortion of pregnancies of fetuses with ASD, Down-Syndrome etc., with the end result being the elimination of children with special needs. This leads to the suggestion that people with mental or physical disabilities serve no use in our society which is not true. As such people opposed to genetic pre-natal screening are against the development of such tests and are campaigning to oppose their use (Parker, 2006).
An understanding of genetic irregularities is valuable in its own right, leading to a greater understanding, better and earlier diagnosis and interventions, and amelioration of the negative consequences of those genetic irregularities. The main argument used by those opposing prenatal diagnosis is that if a deficiency was discovered in a fetuse, that it could lead to mass abortions. This is a defeatist’s attitude towards humanity. Rather than attempting to deny parents of a test that is going to be introduced into society eventually, or deny them their legal right to choose because we might not like the way they exercise it, we should concentrate on promoting hope and likelihood of a better outcome, showing them that children born with autism, down-syndrome or other disabilities can live a happy and successful life (Parker, 2006). Throughout the course of this

References: • Parker, I. (2006). “Shades of Grey: Thoughts on Prenatal Genetic Testing”. Available at www.a-shade-of-grey.blogspot.com/2006/07/thoughts-on-prenatal-genetic-testing.html. Accessed on the 11-12-2011. • Murray, T. (1996). “The worth of a child”. University of California Press: California. • Medscape.com, (2011). “Prenatal Diagnosis for Congenital Malformations and Genetic Disorders”. Available at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1200683-overview. Accessed on the 12-12-2011. • Gregoire, S. (2009). “To Test or Not to Test” Available at http://sheilawraygregoire.com/totestornottotestprenataltestingp14.php. Accessed on the 12-12-2011. • Arc.org, (1997). “Genetic Discrimination”. Available at www.the.arc.org/depts/gbr03.html. Accessed on the 12-12-2011. • Botkin, J, (1995). “Federal Privacy and Confidentiality”. Hastings Centre Report: Hastings. • Morejon, D. (1996) “Commentary” Hastings Centre Report: Hastings. • Practical Ethics, (2011). “Preimplantation Genetic Screening: One Step Closer to the Perfect Baby”. Available athttp://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2008/10/preimplantation-genetic-screening-one-step-closer-to-the-perfect-baby/. Accessed on the 13-12-2011. • Ornl.gov, (2007). “Tech Resources”. Available at www.ornl.gov/techresources/human_genome/public/hgn/v8n3/07/press.html. Accessed on the 14-12-2011.