Societal/ Ethical Concerns
There are numerous issues that need to be considered when talking about genetic engineering and therapy. The Human Genome Project website (link provided below), provided by the United States department of Energy, I believe outlines these issues in a particularly concise and accurate manner. The major topics provided by this site have been condensed into the list below.
Fairness in the use of genetic information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military.
Who should have access to personal genetic information, and how will it be used?
Privacy and confidentiality of genetic information.
Who owns and controls genetic information?
Psychological impact and stigmatization due to an individual's genetic differences.
How does personal genetic information affect an individual and society's perceptions of that individual?
Reproductive issues including adequate informed consent for complex and potentially controversial procedures, use of genetic information in reproductive decision making, and reproductive rights.
Do healthcare personnel properly counsel parents about the risks and limitations of genetic technology?
What are the larger societal issues raised by new reproductive technologies?
Clinical issues including the education of doctors and other health service providers, patients, and the general public in genetic capabilities, scientific limitations, and social risks; and implementation of standards and quality-control measures in testing procedures.
How will genetic tests be evaluated and regulated for accuracy, reliability, and utility?
How do we prepare the public to make informed choices?
How do we as a society balance current scientific limitations and social risk with long-term benefits?
Uncertainties associated with gene tests for susceptibilities and complex conditions (e.g., heart disease) linked to multiple genes and gene-environment interactions.
Should parents have the right to have their minor children tested for adult- onset diseases?
Conceptual and philosophical implications regarding human responsibility, free will vs genetic determinism, and concepts of health and disease.
Can people always control their behavior?
Where is the line between medical treatment and enhancement?
Commercialization of products including property rights (patents, copyrights, and trade secrets) and accessibility of data and materials.
Who owns genes and other pieces of DNA?
Will patenting DNA sequences limit their accessibility and use.
In order to get a generalized idea of how medical professionals approach some of these issues refer back to an assignment on ethics prepared for class
Resources:
<http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml>.
This website was created for the course Honors 210:The Ideal at Monmouth College.