Genethics Flashcards
Genethics definition
Bioethics concerned with genetic research; human genesis and generation, choices made for existence. number and identity of potential people
maternal spindle
cluster of chromosomes that make up the egg’s nuclear DNA
techniques of MRT
pronuclear transfer (PNT)
maternal spindle transfer (MST)
Pronuclear transfer (PNT)
Begins with two eggs: one taken from the mother, which contains diseased mitochondria, and a donor egg with healthy mitochondria. Both are fertilized. Two pronuclei taken from the parent’s embryo are injected into the enucleated donor embryo. The embryo produced contains the parent’s nuclear DNA and the donor’s healthy mitochondria.
Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST)
involves removing the maternal spindle from the mother’s egg and placing it in an enucleated donor egg. This reconstructed egg contains the mother’s nucleated DNA and a donor’s healthy mitochondria. The egg is then fertilized so that it can develop into an embryo
Non-identity problem
When we use technique x this causes a (numerically) different person to be born, i.e. someone other than the person who would have been born if we had not used technique x
individual impact of identity
-it is deeply one’s own information (identity)
-Might change one’s own perception of choices
–> from feeling in over-control (“i know my destiny and i will live accordingly”)
–> to completely lack of control (“I cannot do anything to change my destiny”)
Why defend identity?
- Some authors believe that identity provides continuity and generates authenticity of an individual/group/species
-Continuity is also a criterion to attribute responsibility
Determinism
The belief of every action/consequence being predetermined; predicting your destiny based on genetic testing (feeling trapped)
Indeterminism
The belief that destiny is not determined ; possibility to change your destiny using genetic techniques (feeling God)
Retributivism
Those who commit certain crimes deserves punishment
It is linked to deontology because deontologists cannot justify not to punish a criminal, even if there is also a consequentialist retributivism
Consequentialist theory of punishment
Punishment depends on the consequence it produces on the society: e.g. social dangerousness
Deterrence, using punishment as a threat, if a form of consequentialism
reason-giving model
and agent’s action is free just in case the agent or manner in which the action is brought about is responsive to the reasons available to the agent at the time of action
Identification model
To be the source of her action the agent must self-determine her action
David Hume
Daniel Dennett
Biobanks
systematic collections of tissues, fluid, genetic samples and related data to maximize research progress
genetic modification
the process of intentionally altering human genes for the purpose of producing offspring with those genetic changes.
Covers a wider range of cases than other terms and does not assume a distinction between gene therapy and genetic enhancement
genetic determinism
The belief that gene/genotype determines the phenotype in the broad sense. Although it is usually probabilistic
strong genetic determinism
gene G almost always leads to development of trait T
Moderate genetic determinism
more often than not, gene G leads to trait T
Weak genetic determinism
G sometimes leads to development of trait T
Penetrance
percentage of members of population that will have a particular phenotype, given a particular genotype
fatalism
the belief that specific outcomes/events will occur in our life no matter what we do
Pleiotropy
condition when genes produce more than one phenotypic effect
Costa-Pavan vs. Italy
Decided by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2012
involved a legal challenge concerning preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for cystic fibrosis. Whether the italian law violated the European Convention of human rights, specifically in the context of the right to family life and the protection of health
reproductive autonomy, genetic selection
Puppet critique of genetic modifications
If you are given a gene for musical talent, you have no choice but to become a musician
–> assumes strong determinism, which is often not the case and psychological determinism
Open future critique of genetic modifications
limited range of future behaviours
–> assumes strong genetic determinism
Parental expectation critique
Increases parental pressure
–> assumes pushy parents and strong genetic determinism
Non-consequentialist arguments against GM
claim there is something inherently wrong with GM. GM would still be wrong, even if the positive consequences outweigh the negatives
