The Human Genome Project
Does the Human Genome Project effect the moral standards of society? Can the information produced by it become a beneficial asset or a moral evil? For example, X chromosome markers can be used to identify ethnicity. A seemingly harmless collection of information from the Human Genome Project. But let’s assume this information is used to explore ways to deny entry into countries, determine social class, or who gets preferential treatment. Whether or not this type of treatment is acceptable to a moral society remains to be seen. The major events of genetic history are important to understanding the Human Genome Project. Genetics is the study of the patterns of inheritance of specific traits. The basic beginnings of genetic history lay in the ancient techniques of selective breeding to yield special characteristics in later generations. This was and still is a form of genetic manipulation by "employing appropriate selection for physical and behavioral traits"(Gert, 93). Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, completed experiments on garden peas so as to establish the quantitative discipline of genetics. Mendel’s work explained that the inheritance of traits can be stated by factors passed from one generat
ion to the next; a gene. The complete set of genes for an organism is called it’s genome. A genome creates traits that can be explained due to the inheritance of single or multiple genes affected by factors in the environment. Mendel also correctly stated that two copies of every factor exists and that one factor of inheritance could be dominate over another. The next major events of genetic history involved the discovery DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA is a double helix of amino acids and proteins that are encode the blueprint for all living things. DNA was found to be packed into chromosomes, of which 23 pairs existed in each cell of the human body. DNA was also found to be made of nucleotide chains consisting of four amino acid bases known as Adenine, Cytosine, Thymine, and Guanine (A, C, T, and G). Any ordered pair of bases makes a sequence. Sequences are the instructions that produce molecules and proteins for cellular structure and biochemical functions. A marker is any location on a chromosome where inheritance can be identified and tracked. Markers can be expressed areas of genes (DNA) or some segment of DNA with no known coding function but an inheritance can still be traced. It is these markers that are used to do genetic mapping. By the use of genetic mapping, isolated areas of DNA are used to find if a person has a specific trait, inherent factor, or any other numerous genetic qualities. 5) Reproductive issues including informed consent for procedures, use of genetic information in decision making, and reproductive rights. 1) Fairness in the use of genetic information by insurers; Employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military, among others. Are genetic tests reliable and interpretable by the medical community? 8) Conceptual and philosophical implications regarding human responsibility, free will versus genetic determinism, and concepts of disease and health. Based on the pattern of common morality, the issues of genetic race and class distinction or any other controversies involving the Human Genome Project can be put to a set of common moral standards. Just like the moral standard that says killing is wrong but justifiable in self-defense, the Human Genome Project can be argued along the same line of moral discussion. The justifiable violations that genetic information is based on, depends on the common morality of the public system which, in turn, is based on t
Some topics in this essay:
Genome Project,
Webster’s Dictionary,
Mendel Austrian,
Thymine Guanine,
Genome Program,
Project Genetics,
Medical Institute,
Health It’s,
human genome,
Human Genome,
genome project,
human genome project,
Project ELSI’s,
common morality,
genetic information,
genetic history,
institutes health,
national institutes health,
national institutes,
public system,
morality public system,
major events,
surrounding human genome,
events genetic,
major events genetic,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 1638
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
More Essays on The Human Genome Project Professional Papers: |
CUSTOMER SERVICES
|
|
Saved Papers
You haven't saved any papers.
|