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 1:

Genetic engineering can be used to create more productive strains of farm animals used for milk and meat production. By adding genes to an animal’s DNA, the animal can be made to be more resistant to common infections. This can reduce the need to administer large doses of antibiotics to the animals.

Do you think that this type of genetic engineering should be pursued? Explain your answer.

What are some possible impacts (positive and negative) of this type of genetic engineering on individuals, society, and the environment?


Scenario 2:

Mike was adopted, and his biological family history is unknown. Although he is healthy, he would like some understanding of his genetic makeup, including potential health risks and genes that he could pass on to his children. Mike has heard about commercial laboratories that can compare segments of your DNA to those of people with common hereditary diseases in order to give you some idea of how susceptible you are to the diseases. The results of these types of tests are highly inconclusive. If Mike’s DNA showed that he shares similarities in a segment of DNA with people who have a given disease, his chances of developing that disease or passing it on to his children may be slightly elevated, but they are not 100 percent. These tests can cost more than $2,500 and are not covered by many insurance companies.

Do you think that Mike should undergo the genetic tests? Explain your answer.

What are potential pros and cons of having such tests done?

Describe how the availability of these genetic tests might affect the frequency of genetic diseases in individuals and populations.

Answer 1

For Scenario 1:

In my opinion, genetic engineering to create more productive strains of farm animals used for milk and meat production should be pursued, with caution. While it has the potential to reduce the need for administering antibiotics to animals, it is important to consider the potential risks and impacts of this technology.

Some potential positive impacts of this genetic engineering include:

1. Increased food production: By creating animals that are more resistant to infections and produce more milk or meat, it may be possible to increase food production and meet the increasing demand for animal protein.
2. Reduced use of antibiotics: By reducing the need to administer large doses of antibiotics to animals, this genetic engineering may help to reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a growing public health concern.
3. Economic benefits: Increased food production and reduced use of antibiotics may also have economic benefits for farmers and the agriculture industry.
However, it is important to also consider the potential negative impacts of this genetic engineering:

1. Ethical concerns: There are ethical concerns surrounding the use of genetic engineering in animals, including the potential for suffering and the manipulation of their natural biology.
2. Risks to human health: There is a potential risk that genetically modified animals could have unintended consequences for human health, such as the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans through the consumption of genetically modified animal products.
3. Environmental impacts: There is a potential risk that genetically modified animals could have unintended consequences for the environment, such as the potential for the spread of genetically modified genes to wild populations.
Overall, while genetic engineering has the potential to bring about positive impacts, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and impacts, and to ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place.

For Scenario 2:

It is ultimately up to Mike to decide whether or not to undergo the genetic tests. However, there are some potential pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

1. Increased knowledge: The genetic tests may provide Mike with some understanding of his genetic makeup, including potential health risks and genes that he could pass on to his children.
2. Early detection: If the tests reveal that Mike is at risk for certain hereditary diseases, this may allow him to take preventive measures or seek early treatment, which could improve his chances of managing or overcoming the condition.

Cons:

1. Inconclusive results: As mentioned, the results of these types of tests are highly inconclusive, and they may not provide a clear picture of Mike's health risks or genetic makeup.
2. Emotional impacts: Receiving inconclusive or potentially worrying test results could have emotional impacts on Mike and his family.
3. Cost: The tests can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
The availability of these genetic tests may affect the frequency of genetic diseases in individuals and populations in a number of ways. For example, if people undergo these tests and discover that they are at risk for certain hereditary diseases, they may choose to have children through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that screen for the disease, which could reduce the frequency of these diseases in the population. On the other hand, if people undergo these tests and decide not to have children due to a perceived risk of passing on a genetic disease, this could lead to a reduction in the overall population size

Answer 2

It is understandable why Mike would be interested in understanding his genetic makeup and potential health risks. However, genetic tests are highly inconclusive and are not covered by many insurance companies, so the decision to undergo testing is a personal one with potential risks and benefits. Pros of having such tests done include gaining a better understanding of one's genetic makeup and potential health risks, as well as being able to pass on this knowledge to future generations. On the other hand, cons of having such tests done include the high cost and lack of accuracy of the tests, as well as the potential for psychological distress caused by the results. The availability of these genetic tests could affect the frequency of genetic diseases in individuals and populations. More accurate tests could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases, potentially allowing for better health outcomes for those affected. Additionally, these tests could lead to better management of genetic diseases in populations by providing more accurate data on the prevalence of genetic diseases.