Abstract This paper explains that, when completed, the Human Genome Project (HGP) will map the 50,000-100,000 genes contained in the human DNA resulting in the single most dramatic sphere of biological research, which holds the power to change theories and assumptions in the areas of biology, psychology and medicine. The author points out that the early stages of this project already have provided important new information about human genes, resulting in ethical questions requiring carefully judgment about such issues as congenital diseases and privacy. The paper stresses that in cases of clear-cut genetic causation, such as Huntington's chorea and some types of breast cancer, medical professionals and their patients have to make some difficult decisions.
From the Paper "Other questions involve the right of individuals to privacy. Once we have human DNA completely mapped, will we then begin to generate detailed genetic profiles of all medical patients? If we do, is this information that can be shared with other organizations, by, for instance, hospitals? If it can be shared, insurance companies might then drop people with genes that make them prone to certain kinds of cancer, or destined to develop some genetically-driven disease such as Huntington's. In those cases, the individuals would get glimpses into their medical future whether they wanted to know what their genes reveal or not."
Abstract This paper explains that Huntington's disease is a genetic disease, which affects the central nervous system in individuals who usually are thirty years and above though it does occur sometimes in people younger than this. The paper points out that it occurs as an inherited autosomal dominant condition and it affects all or most of the family members within the same family. The author points out that a cocktail of drugs and other modes of treatment, which supposedly delay the onset and the progression of the disease, are available while researchers are finding an actual cure for it. The paper relates that online support is given to the patient and his family so that they are not alone in their suffering and that the primary care giver is prepared to deal with all the symptoms of the disease.
From the Paper "Some of the early symptoms of the Huntington's disease are a difficulty in remembering things, and in learning how to drive, severe mood swings, depression, and so on. The disease will make an inevitable progress, until such time as when he will not be able to even feed himself or to swallow by himself. Progression depends on the individual, and the earlier the doctor is able to diagnose the disease, the earlier help can be sought. The doctor would generally advise a genetic test, and then a complete medical history would be asked for, and then the patient would be subjected to a battery of neurological and laboratory tests. After the diagnosis is made, then the patient can start on medication. There are those people who have been suffering from the Huntington's disease, and these people would require a pre-diagnosis for their children. In most cases, however, the disease is not evident in 1 to 3% of individuals who do have a family history of the Huntington's disease."
Abstract This paper explains that today, science is close to having the ability to selectively choose which babies will be born based on their genetic characteristics; therefore, now is the time to decide the ethicacy of this action. The author points out that the first applications of genetic manipulation will likely be medical; embryos will be manipulated to treat some genetic illness, such as Huntington's Chorea, or will be chosen selectively based on the absence of the Huntington's gene. The paper relates that, already in 2002, a hospital in Scotland was issued a license by the British government not to create "designer babies" but only to allow parents, by the use of abortion of defective fetuses, to avoid babies who are doomed to have some serious genetic disorder.
From the Paper "The problem is that genetics is rarely that simple. Most of the time, genes only show a tendency, and experts cannot say whether the developing child will develop a specific illness or not. Even in identical twins, sometimes one develops a disease influenced by genetics, such as schizophrenia, while the other does not. Nevertheless, genetic researchers believe that eventually we will be able to screen embryos for combinations of genes that predispose people not only to life-threatening illnesses but for personality traits as well. However, people's personalities aren't as simple as a cluster of traits."
