L23 Bioethics and Human Genetics Flashcards
Bioethics and human genetics
The study of the rightness or wrongness of human conduct in the area of life sciences
A moral dilemma
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EXAM - write about one of the genetic testing and what are the for and against arguments
morally ought to do X and morally ought to do Y but precluded by circumstances from doing both
MH HREC
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Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee
constituted in conformity with the National Statement and will have at least 8 members both men and women
Case 1 - a moral dilemma
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Prosenjit - arguments against
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breaching confidentiality
many more threats made than are carried out so many confine those who should not be
Judge ruled “for” the case
“owes a legal duty not only to his patient but also to the patient’s would be victim”
“protective privilege ends where the public peril begins”
Bioethical issues in genetics
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pre-implantation testing
pre-natal testing
sex-testing
etc…
Bioethical issues in genetics -
The general issues
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- what is normal?
- access: resource issues
- autonomy
- informed consent
- confidentiality/privacy
What is normal?
What is normal?
- Deaf parents, not concerned about having deaf children as there is a well established deaf community and they too communicate using sign language
- Achondroplasia parents may want a child with achondroplasia and would terminate a “tall” child and as they want the child to be a part of the achondroplasia community
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis - issues
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who qualifies?
destruction of embryos?
sex determination
“saviour” children
Saviour children
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“medicine babies”
- child created out of need
- sick child feels obligation to their “saviour”
Positive outcomes of pre-implantation testing and saviour children
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- couple doesn’t need to undergo pregnancy termination
- less invasive for mother
- child who was unwell may be cured
- improve dynamics of the group => family focus will be taken away from sick child
Other PGD issues
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- test not 100% reliable
- mosaicism
- long term consequence on fetus not known
- possibility that none of the embryos tested will be normal
Embryo editing
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Abortion/termination after prenatal diagnosis
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when does life begin?
- right to life of fetus
- killing is wrong
- undervalues those living with a disability
- wrongful life
- autonomy of parents
- right of other children
- life of pain or suffering avoided