Genetics

Running Lead : ISSUES ON GENOMICS

Issues on Genomics Genomics has always been a controversial study . To research on the entire genetic make up of an organism poses a lot of heated controversies . Why so

One of the more controversial s of genomics is genetic testing Predictive Genetic Testing (PGT ) is the process of testing an individual 's future risk of actually acquiring a disease . PGT is employed in conditions such as carrier testing to determine whether and individual has a defective gene that could be inherited , prenatal diagnosis where the

baby is screened for particular dis and predictive testing where individuals with family history of dis is tested for risk of developing a dis (Krof 2000

Behavioral genetics or the study of the link between specific genes and behavior has also proven to be controversial . Geneticists claim that specific genes dictate certain behavior of individuals . This practice causes a lot of debate . If an individual was detected to have the criminal gene , should that individual be automatically taken into preventive custody or under go behavior modification ? If one was detected to have the gay genes , should it then be treated as genetic aberration that needed modification (Enriquez 2000

Currently CDC has efforts to integrate genetic testing with public health . This means that common genetic diseases could be detected early thus interventions would be properly executed . The CDC 's primary purpose is to assess the general health of the population thru genetic testing However , there are a number of major issues on this (Gibson 2004

One such issue is that in prenatal testing , when genetic aberration is detected , should abortion be an open option ? Another issue is that who has the right to be tested . For example , a mother was tested and found out to have a defective gene . If her child , not yet of age of consent is deemed to have the possibility of also carrying the genes , should the child , under the duress of the mother also be tested ? Some people argue that carrier testing may negatively affect the future prospect of the child , thus testing should only be done at the age where the child could already consent to his own testing (Smith 2005

The most critical issue of genetic testing is privacy . Who has the right to access such information about an individual ? The right for access is of course , dependent on the purpose of he testing , whether the test was done for medical purposes , or perhaps to aide in personal decision-making process . However , it is undeniable that once an individual undergoes genetic testing , his genetic information will already be mapped out thus this maybe , one way or another , available to others . He may be subjected to genetic discrimination in claiming for health benefits or insurance , or in employment prospects (Enriquez 2000

The ratification of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA ) gives some form of protection . The law was explicit in stating that the diagnosis from genetic testing could not be qualified as...