DNA Technology and Health Care Careers

Assignment Details

DNA Technology and Health Care Careers Discussion
Can you help me understand this Health and Medical question?
Both the 19th  and 20th  centuries saw eugenics movements aimed at eliminating disease and
disability by preventing disordered individuals from reproducing, thus changing the gene pool, at
least, theoretically. Hitler widely used sterilization and even extermination of groups of
individuals to “cleanse” society and for at least awhile his techniques were highly praised in the
US by those in the Eugenics Movement. In the 1980’s, after successfully mapping the human
genome, James Watson of Watson and Crick speculated on the growing potential for genetic
choice and genetic enhancement such as parents having the right to abort a fetus that does not
pass genetic muster or by manipulating genes to enhance athletic or intellectual ability. In the
futuristic film Gattaca, parents select the traits they desire in their children thus creating “super
societies.”
Recently, 2017, a researcher at MIT claimed to successfully genetically modify the first human
embryo and with the development of CRISP-R technology, enhancing and modifying genes is
now possible. Further, a scientist in China, Dr. He, announced the genetic modification of twin
girl embryos to enhance HIV immunity. We have moved over the decades from focusing on

genetics to eliminate the undesirable to now using genetic technology to enhance for desired
traits. For this discussion please respond to the following three questions.
Take a position on pre-birth, “genetic enhancement.” Should parents be able to choose from a
menu of preferred traits for their children?
Does an Internet search to determine if there are any companies, health care organizations, or bio
techs offering genetic enhancement and related technologies? Describe at least 2 such
organizations and include their URL in the posting.
Interpret and critique the following statement. ”It is sometimes thought that genetic enhancement
erodes professional responsibility by overriding effort and striving.” (Sandel MJ. The Case
against Perfection. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2007. P.
87)

COMPLETE ANSWER