Ethical Nature of Genetic Research

Posted: September 9th, 2013

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Ethical Nature of Genetic Research

Introduction

Since its development and advancement, the subject of genetic research has been contentious, eliciting strong debates among various individuals and groups. Genetic research refers to the study of genes and hereditary factors. Many researchers support genetic research because of its ability to explain certain situations. It has helped researchers identify different genetic conditions and possible ways of treating them. However, despite the benefits of genetic research and the advances realized in the field, some people continue to oppose genetic research, citing ethical concerns. They claim that some of the practices in genetic research are not ethical. Of special concern is the way that genetic information is used, and the people who have access to it. The paper will consider both sides of the argument, before establishing a conclusion.

Discussion

Many researchers involved in genetic research seek to find out more information, and gain knowledge and understanding concerning their area of interest. For instance, people researching genetic research on plants seek to find out the benefits or effects of having genetically modified plants (Stewart 221). Those doing genetic research in human beings seek to identify different genetic conditions. Researchers will try to find the treatment for the condition, or identify ways of helping people manipulate the gene. In this case, genetic research does not present many ethical concerns. Most of the ethical concerns arise from the way genetic information is obtained and in the way that it is used (Horrgrd 14).

Advances in genetic research have increased the number of people interested in genetic information. For instance, some insurance companies have felt the need to obtain genetic information to guide them when giving life policies. This has caused considerable debate concerning the number of people entitled to a person’s genetic information. Ethical concerns in genetic research arise from how the involved parties will use the information. Some people are using genetic research to help them in making decisions, such as if they are going to consider having a baby (Stewart 79). A couple who discovers that their unborn child has a considerable risk of being born with a genetic condition might choose to abort the child, rather than continue with the pregnancy. This raises ethical concerns. It negates the idea of accepting the child in its natural form. It also raises the possibility of having designer babies, something many people consider unethical. Genetic research can be used to change a child’s appearance and abilities before birth, thus leading to designer babies, as people seek to have perfect babies. Researchers can manipulate the genes, and they can help to determine the color, intelligence capabilities, and the height of the baby among other physical attributes.

Before conducting genetic research, researchers have to obtain informed consent. The researchers have to inform the individual what the process involves, and they have to obtain consent for the process (Stewart 123). They have to inform the person undergoing the research the procedures they are going to use. They have to specify their area of interest, the information they are seeking, and the methods they will use to obtain that information. They have to reassure the person of their confidentiality concerning the information they will use. The government has laid out legislation to ensure that people’s right of privacy is protected. Researchers are limited in the way they can obtain and use information (Elger 255).

The presence of consent forms does not guarantee an understanding on the participant’s part. The people participating in the research might not understand the extent of the research, and they might underestimate the psychological effects. Some of the genetic research is conducted on children, and this might have negative psychological effects later on in life. An adult undergoing this research as a way of determining the presence of a genetic disease might not be prepared for the results, since he or she might not be aware of the full consequences. Some people suffer from the burden of knowledge. Others risk facing social stigma, and discrimination because of their condition. Genetic research seeks to outdo the natural processes of life, and this will lead to a loss of diversity in humanity. People will favor genetic research in place of natural processes, and this is evident in prenatal testing. It will distort the natural balance, as parents will have the ability to determine and change the sex of their unborn babies with relative ease. Genetic research makes it possible to obtain paternity tests without the consent of all the parties involved (Stewart 248-9).

Conclusion

Genetic research is not ethical without the presence of strict legislation governing its usage and method of obtaining the information. It has led to the development of ideas such as human cloning, which most people consider unethical. Some of the genetic research involving humans is not ethical, as it includes the possibility of having, and advocating for designer babies, with no flaws or imperfections. Its unethical nature is visible in the way the genetic information can be used. People risk the chance of losing employment and insurance policies because of the results of their genetic research. They seek the possibility of having psychological problems because of the social stigma and the discrimination they will encounter once they know the results of the research.

Works Cited

Barash, I. Carol. Just Genes: The Ethics of Genetic Technologies. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2008. Print

Elger, Bernice. Ethical Issues of Human Genetic Databases: A Challenge to Classical Health Research Ethics? United Kingdom: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2010. Print

Horrgrd, Karen. “Ethics of Genetic Testing: Medical Insurance and Genetic Discrimination.” Nature Education 1.1 (2008)

Stewart, B. Kristine. The Australian Genetics Resource Book. Australia: Centre for Genetics Education, 2007. Print

Bibliography

Ajandi, Jennifer. Ethical considerations for prenatal screening and genetic testing. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics 5.3 (2008)

U.S. Department of Energy Genome Programs. Gene Testing. 2010. Web. 30 Aug 2012 <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetest.shtml>

Wertz, C. Dorothy and John C. Fletcher. Genetics and Ethics in Global Perspective. New York, NY: Springer, 2004. Print