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Genetics

Ethical Questions And The Future Of Genetics

Despite the promise of genetics research, many ethical and philosophical questions arise. Many of the concerns about this area of research focus on the increasing ability to manipulate genes. There is a fear that the results will not always be beneficial. For example, some fear that a genetically re-engineered virus could turn out to be extremely virulent, or deadly, and may spread if there is no way to stop it.

Another area of concern is the genetic engineering of human traits and qualities. The goal is to produce people with specific traits such as better health, improved looks, or even high intelligence. While these traits may seem to be desirable on the surface, the concern arises about who will decide exactly what traits are to be engineered into human offspring, and whether everyone will have equal access to an expensive technology. Some fear that the result could be domination by a particular socioeconomic group.

Despite these fears and concerns, genetic research continues. In an effort to ensure that the science is not abused in ways harmful to society, governments in the United States and abroad have created panels and organizations to oversee genetic research. For the most part, international committees composed of scientists and ethical experts state that the benefits of genetic research for medicine and agriculture far outweigh the possible abuses.

Resources

Books

Beurton, Peter, Raphael Falk, Hans-Jörg Rheinberger., eds. The Concept of the Gene in Development and Evolution. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Edlin, Gordon. Human Genetics. Boston: Jones and Bartlett, 1990.

Jacob, François. Logic of Life: A History of Heredity. New York: Random House, 1982.

Thro, Ellen. Genetic Engineering: Shaping the Material of Life. New York: Facts On File, 1993.

Periodicals

Brookes, Anthony. "Rethinking Genetic Strategies to Study Complex Diseases." Trends in Molecular Medicine (November 2001): 512–6.

Brownlee, Shannon, and Joanne Silberne, "The Age of Genes." U.S. News & World Report. (4 November 1991): 64–72.

Guo, Sun-Wei, and Kenneth Lange, "Genetic Mapping of Complex Traits: Promises, Problems, and Prospects." Theoretical Population Biology (February 2000): 1–11.

Philips, Tamara J., and John K. Belknap, "Complex-trait Genetics: Emergence of Multivariate Strategies." Nature Reviews. Neuroscience (June 2002):478–485

Tijan, Robert. "Molecular Machines That Control Genes." Scientific American. (February 1995): 54–61.

Other

National Institutes of Health. "Guide to the Human Genome" [cited October 19, 2002]. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/guide/human/>.

David Petechuk

KEY TERMS

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Allele: —Any of two or more alternative forms of a gene that occupy the same location on a chromosome.
Amino acid: —An organic compound whose molecules contain both an amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). One of the building blocks of a protein.
Base: —A chemical unit that makes up part of the DNA molecule. There are four bases: adenine (A) and guanine (G), which are purines, and cytosine (C) and thymine (T), which are pyrimidines.
Chromosomes: —he structures that carry genetic information in the form of DNA. Chromosomes are located within every cell and are responsible for directing the development and functioning of all the cells in the body.
DNA: —Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material in a cell. Chromosomes are made of DNA.
Dominant (dominant gene): —An allele of a gene that results in a visible phenotype if expressed in a heterozygote.
Gene: —A discrete unit of inheritance, represented by a portion of DNA located on a chromosome. The gene is a code for the production of a specific kind of protein or RNA molecule, and therefore for a specific inherited characteristic.
Genetic recombination: —New configurations produced when two DNA molecules are broken and rejoined together during meiosis.
Heredity: —Characteristics passed on from parents to offspring.
Heterozygous: —Two different forms of the same allele pair on the chromosome.
Homozygous: —Two identical forms of the same allele pair on the chromosome.
Meiosis: —The process of cell division in germ or reproductive cells, producing haploid genetic material.
Mitosis: —The process of cell division in somatic, or body, cells, producing no change in genetic material.
Proteins: —Macromolecules made up of long sequences of amino acids. They make up the dry weight of most cells and are involved in structures, hormones, and enzymes in muscle contraction, immunological response, and many other essential life functions.
Recessive: —Refers to the state or genetic trait that only can express itself when two genes, one from both parents, are present and coded for the trait, but will not express itself when paired with a dominant gene. (See Dominant; Allele)
Ribonucleic acid: —RNA; the molecule translated from DNA in the nucleus that directs protein synthesis in the cytoplasm; it is also the genetic material of many viruses.
Transcription: —The process of synthesizing RNA from DNA.

Additional topics

Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: Gastrula to Glow dischargeGenetics - The History Of Genetics, The Biology Of Genetics, The Genetic Code, Dominant And Recessive Traits