Question

Which of the following is a bioethical concern of the Human Genome Project?

A. More criminals may escape detection
B. Humans may try to create "designer babies"
C. All of the choices are concerns about the HGP
D. Creating transgenic organisms may trigger allergic reactions​

Answer 1

Bioethical concerns of the Human Genome Project include the creation of "designer babies", potential genetic discrimination, ownership of genetic information, environmental impacts, and the long-term effects of gene editing on biodiversity. Bioethicists must weigh the benefits of improved therapies against possible negative outcomes like broader social inequities and new forms of discrimination.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bioethical Concerns of the Human Genome Project

The completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP) has sparked numerous bioethical debates. One concern is the potential creation of "designer babies," where genetic technologies might be used to select or alter traits in unborn children, leading to ethical dilemmas about the extent to which human genetic makeup should be manipulated. The sequencing of the human genome relates to concerns about genetic discrimination, as individuals could potentially be treated differently based on their genetic information. Advances in biotechnology, such as CRISPR gene editing, have made genetic modification more accessible, raising questions about the long-term impact on biodiversity and the risks associated with gene therapy.

Ethical challenges also include issues of ownership and patenting of genetically modified organisms, safety of genetically modified foods, environmental risks, privacy and control of genetic information, and the moral quandaries of using gene editing to potentially cure illnesses or augment human capacities. As bioethicists examine the implications of gene editing, they must balance the positive outcomes, such as improved therapies, against the potential for negative consequences, such as increased inequality or new forms of discrimination.

Here are three bioethical questions related to the use of genetics in medicine:

1. How far should we go to prevent genetic diseases, and should we allow the selection of non-medical traits in embryos?
2. Who should have ownership and control over genetic information, and what are the ramifications for patient privacy?
3. To what extent should gene editing be used to modify biodiversity, and how can we evaluate its long-term effects on the environment?