Societal Implications and Applications
- One of the biggest concerns with genetic disorders is the idea of mutation.
What are some of the ethical implications related to that?
Gene & Protein Therapy
A technique aimed at treating genetic disorders by introducing the correct form of the defective gene into a patient’s genome. The goal is to insert a healthy copy of a gene into the genome of the unhealthy patient. The new gene produces the correct protein and corrects the genetic disorder.
Genetic Testing
Although this allows an early detection of the disorder (and consequently, an opportunity to decide), often it brings ethical issues as well, in the form of guilt by those who test negative for the disorder.
There are a lot of very important and difficult decisions related to genetic testing: providing support for the person with the disorder, work-related situations, being able to have a family, etc.
Many argue that we are “playing God” by doing this.
This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the moral side of science.
There are a lot of very important and difficult decisions related to genetic testing: providing support for the person with the disorder, work-related situations, being able to have a family, etc.
Many argue that we are “playing God” by doing this.
This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the moral side of science.