Ethics at the Beginning of Life: Prenatal Genetic Testing

   The Human Genome Project is the largest scientific endeavor undertaken since the Manhattan Project, and, as with the Manhattan Project, the completion of the Human Genome Project has brought to surface many moral and ethical issues concerning the use of the knowledge gained from the project. Although genetic tests for certain diseases have been available for 15 years (Ridley, 1999), the completion of the Human Genome Project will certainly lead to an exponential increase in the number of genetic tests available. Therefore, before genetic testing becomes a routine part of a visit to a doctor's office, the two main questions at the heart of the controversy surrounding genetic testing must be

Many people have a negative outlook on prenatal genetic testing but that is because they are not educated on the goals

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (or PGD) is a testing procedure used when either parent has been diagnosed with a genetic abnormality. Testing is performed on the embryos to determine if they are carriers of the genetic abnormality before implantation.

Type of lifestyle, diet, and mindset are some examples of choices a person can make to better his/her life. Race, height, and genetic disorders are some characteristics that we cannot control. However, for genetic disorders, there are options to lessen the likelihood of having a child born with a disability. Taking prenatal vitamins, attending routine checkups, not drinking alcohol and not smoking are just a few proactive options that can help prevent an abnormal pregnancy. Another option to ensure a safe pregnancy is to have prenatal genetic tests (PGT) done. The use of PGT’s have spanked many controversies over the years simply due to individual's morals differing. Those who are not in favor of PGT’s believe that these tests can promote

Prenatal testing detects changes in a fetus’ genes or chromosomes before birth. This specific type of testing during pregnancy can help parents make decisions about a pregnancy, but cannot identify all possible disorders or birth defects. (Campbell, Reece, Mitchell). It is one of the most basic genetic tests. Another form of genetic testing done before birth is called preimplantation testing, or preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Its purpose is to detect genetic changes in embryos that were created outside of the body, such as in-vitro fertilization, where eggs are fertilized outside of the body. In this case, cells are taken from these embryos and tested for specific genetic changes that are indicative of a genetic disorder. Only

According to Business Insider Science Edition, “By taking a look at the DNA of a prospective parent together with that of a potential sperm or egg, they can predict, with what they claim is 99% sensitivity, the risk of having a baby with a rare genetic disease.” (Lewis, 2015) With this information parents can then go to make the proper decision on whether or not they are prepared to handle a child with such diseases, or if they should even have a child in the first place. Another quote from the article that shows how gene testing parents is helpful for the children is as following ,”Now, the company has developed a test that it claims can detect about 500 genetic disorders caused by tweaks in a single gene, such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, and Bloom syndrome.”(Lewis,

With the advances made in genetic testing and the lowering cost of testing, conversations surrounding the ethical considerations of genetic screening in newborns as well as adults is becoming more and more commonplace. One such commentary is made by Pollack (2010) in his article on genetic screening in newborns, who cautions against both the monetary and emotional cost of genetic screening. The following paragraphs will offer a summary of Pollack’s (2010) article, as well as a critique of the article in which this author will agree that genetic testing comes at potentially great cost and should be carefully considered.

PGD can test for more than 100 different genetic conditions. Some of the conditions tested for are life threatening or will adversely affect the way the individual and its parents will live, so therefore a ‘healthy’ (free of the disorder tested for) baby can be selected and implanted.

One of the benefits of prenatal screening is to enable early detection of the developmental defect embryology. This embryology developmental defect may be due to the mutation or genetic inheritance. Mutation is a condition characterized by permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. It can range in different sizes from a single DNA building block (DNA base) to a large segment of a chromosome. On the other hand, genetic inheritance is a condition whereby parents pass traits such as height and other characteristics to the children by chromosomes. “Sonograms, genetic tests and a new test called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis -- which is a genetic test conducted on embryos for people attempting pregnancy through in vitro fertilization -- allow women to better predict if the infant will have a genetic defect” (New York Times Magazine, 2006). Thus thorough these tests, medical practitioners are able to identify and make early preparation toward any abnormalities of the fetus.

Many things are changing at an extremely rapid rate in our society. The new advances in the areas of science and biotechnology are raising many ethical and moral dilemmas for everyone. No one will be left unaffected. Everyone will have to make a decision and take a stand on these issues. I will discuss advancements of genetic screening and testing. The first step to any ethical problem is to understand the topic. It is difficult to formulate accurate ideas without knowledge about the topic, so first I will provide a little background information on genetic screening. I will then point out some of the areas of controversy associated with genetic screening, and finally I will discuss my view on the topic.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (commonly known as PDG) is a procedure that is used to identify genetic defects in embryos before they are implanted into a woman’s uterus. PGD can happen in relation with in vitro fertilization (IVF) right after the embryo is created so that it is ensured the right preparation and procedure is done. PGD is used to prevent diseases and disorders being passed on to the child. PGD can test for diseases such as, Cystic Fibrosis, Downs Syndrome and many more. PGD is used so that parents to be can ensure that their child is going to have the best possible life by trying to eliminate or identify life altering diseases. PGD is something that had only recently become a regular occurrence in New Zealand. In New Zealand ethical approval has been received for PGD to take place under specific circumstances. By going through the process of PGD it gives you a sense of how healthy your child is going to be and how significantly your life is going to be altered, for instance if you were to have a child with cystic fibrosis they would need to be monitored evey second of the day because of the risk that their lungs get blocked by mucus build up, compared to a healthy child which would obviously need round the clock care but to a much lower extent because they don’t have such high a risk as a CF child. It is positive for families who have family history of genetic disorders where their child has a high chance of inheriting this; however I don’t think that it

Pre-implantation testing is a used on embryos which is also called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). PGD detects genetic abnormalities in embryos that were created by a method called in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This method consisted of removing egg cells from a woman ovaries and then unite it with sperm cells outside the body. Pre-implantation is then tested by taking a small number of cells from the embryos and testing them for certain genetic disorders. To achieve a healthy pregnancy only the embryos without the genetic disorders are inserted back into the uterus.

With the advent of genetic testing many disease conditions can be predicted and in case of prenatal genetic testing the parents are provided with information about the potential occurrence of a particular disease condition to provide them an opportunity to make an informed decision to continue with pregnancy or not. This will save a lot of families who are not financially sound from the possible economic burden. In case of genetic testing post birth, it allows the person to be more cautious and help make better decisions such as family planning etc. However with the

Genetic testing is a major ethical dilemma, prohibiting medical advances that genetic testing can provide for up and coming eras. Genetic testing is a complex way for comparison between normal and mutated genes. Scientists search for specific mutations in genes, and once discovered, doctors become capable of revealing inherited gene vulnerability. Prenatal genetic testing is objectively the most significant use for genetic research. "The development of new genetic tests has surpassed the development of improved treatments. Prenatal testing today is used to identify, and sometimes to avoid, the birth of a baby with a birth defect" (Kenen). The situation is both ethically and morally controversial. Parents now have the choice past era’s did not, knowing prior to delivery, if the child has birth defects and in some cases given the opportunity for an abortion. This advancement will aid Generation Z in preparedness in parenting. Upcoming parents will know if the child will be born with Down syndrome, autism, and countless other conditions. Potentially parents will face the ethical and moral decision of having a child with a disability or aborting the child. Although testing may seem beneficial, it carries significant moral complications prior generations never had to acknowledge. Prenatal genetic testing is not the only use though, as "some tests are used to clarify diagnoses in patients already showing symptoms while others are predicting, helping to identify people at future

Prenatal testing provides many advantages to women and their babies.  One major advantage is the ability to detect a vast variety of diseases and disorders before the baby is even born.  According to Prenatal Screening and Its Impact on Persons with Disabilities, “The most frequently given reason is that [doctors] are trying to ‘prevent’ or ameliorate medical or disabling conditions that are genetically based” (Kaplan par.4).  By having these advanced tests, it allows doctors to research and garner information on how to prevent a possible disorder or disease.  As reported by LiveScience, the tests can detect genetic disorders and birth defects such as down syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, or cystic fibrosis (Nierneberg par.2).  These tests give the parents an advanced notice on some issues they could possibly deal with now or at a later time.  The tests can also determine the sex of the baby which is always thrilling for the parents-to-be.  Another advantage of prenatal testing is that some