Question

Choose one of the following scenarios and answer the questions provided. Support your answers using scientific reasoning and discussing possible impacts to individuals, society, and the environment. Be sure to also discuss any medical or ethical issues that may apply.

Scenario 2:

In the future, doctors may be able to evaluate your DNA to check for genetic markers related to specific medical conditions or harmful reactions to medications. Your personalized genetic profile could be kept on record and referred to in order to develop personal medical treatment based on your unique DNA sequencing. Scientists have found that just small variations in a specific section of your DNA can help determine how well some medications can work for you or if they would be beneficial at all.

Would you want to have your DNA profile kept in your medical record as a reference for your doctors? Explain your answer. (2 points)

What are potential pros and cons of having such tests done and referring to DNA sequences when determining a patient’s medical treatment? (5 points)

Describe how the availability of this technology might affect the frequency of genetic diseases in individuals and populations. (3 points)

Answer 1

If kept as a private medical record, keeping one's DNA profile will be helpful and beneficial, especially in the diagnosis and prediction of rare diseases or illnesses. Aside from that, the profile can also aid in the development of a cure or the overall treatment process.

Answer 2

Would you want to have your DNA profile kept in your medical record as a reference for your doctors? Explain your answer.

Yes, one's DNA profile must be kept with their doctors as this will help to pre notify the person of some upcoming illness if any. The doctor can treat you well with any rare illness. If some genetic defect is found, it can be sent for research to develop a medicine for future generations.

What are potential pros and cons of having such tests done and referring to DNA sequences when determining a patient’s medical treatment?

Pros include- Today the DNA profiling is not intrusive rather, it can be collected by simple hair sample. This profiling can help gain justice as wrongful conviction can be ruled out. This also lessens the possibility of manipulation. No one can manipulate their identities.

Cons include: The kept data can be hacked and misused by anyone. There also is lack of privacy and violation of civil liberties.

How the availability of this technology might affect the frequency of genetic diseases in individuals and populations.

This technology can help identify any fault in a person's DNA and that can help in researching future cure of any illness that can arise due to this defect. This will help to eradicate the illness beforehand and gradually lesser deaths will happen. It can prove to be a boon for medical field.