Week 6 Discussion

Week 6 Discussion

The major ethical considerations that have been implicated in human genome sequencing are : genetic privacy protection prohibiting genetic discrimination ethical issues in human gene therapy safety issues concerning genetically modified foods (GM ) and microbes and property rights (patents , copyrights , and trade secrets ) and accessibility of genetic information and materials ( ethical , legal and social issues 2

The main applications of genome research include : prevention and diagnosis of disease improved treatment of disease through gene therapy and new drugs create more productive and resistant crops and farm animals

help anthropology research by studying evolution , mutations and migration and use DNA identification to assist criminal investigation ( potential benefits ' 1 . Benefits in the fields of medicine anthropology , agriculture , and law enforcement will probably make genome research the most important scientific project in the 21st century

With the completion of the human genome sequencing in 2003 , gene tests are becoming more and more available . These tests should always be voluntary unless they are required to identify potential criminal suspects . Legislations and government oversight are urgently needed to assure the accuracy and reliability of testing and fully protect privacy which is the most important issue . In the future , it will be a most challenging task to prevent abusive commercial use of personal genetic data

Genetic discrimination is likely to become the most serious issue concerning genetic testing . First , employers and insurers might discriminate against people with genes linked to the development of certain diseases . Second , individuals or ethnic groups might be discriminated against...