Genetic Counselling, Ethical Issues in Management of Hemoglobinopathies
1. Describe the risk assessment in genetic counselling. (how to diagnose the disease) (why is it important to have a genetics counsellor)
Genetic counselling is a way of communication between a doctor and patient and this may include parents/family. The importance of having a genetic counselor is so that the counselor receiving the genetic tests and family history is there to help advice patients (and parents/family) about the outcomes of the tests along with management and treatments of the genetic disorders that run in the family. The genetic counsellor is supposed to be knowledgeable in being able to understand the medical facts in relation to: the diagnosis, prognosis,
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State the major ethical and policy issues in medical genetics.
There are many problems associated with medical genetics.
Ethical problems associated with genetic testing include prenatal genetic test. This is when couples are tested to help avoid having a serious hereditary disorder in their offspring. This is an ethical problem due to the decision that may result in having to terminate the pregnancy.
Another genetic testing that has ethical problems includes those people that are tested for predisposing diseases that either lead to later onset (in the case of adult patient) or adult onset (in the case of a child patient). This leads to many ethical issues such as whether or not the patient wants to know if he/she is at risk for a certain disorder. If they find out that they are at risk than they may become depressed and/or make better life decisions (about marriage and life). Others that find out that they are spared from having the disorder maybe relived however they maybe at guilt by seeing close relatives suffering from what could have possible than their
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This was sought so that certain kinds of traits showed in the child such as social, ethnic, and economic prejudices. Things that we now see as lack of education were believed to be in relation to genetics and were described to be familial “feeble-mindedness”. There was difficulty in the scientific approval of what traits/characteristics were hereditary and to what extend they were hereditary. This difficulty was in large due to the fact that genetics was not understood correctly as some of the traits depend on the environmental
And although, these privacy protections did not cover genetic information, 12 years later congress passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) to fill the gap. (Stump) The National Institute of Health’s (NIH) now requires strict ethical standards including informed consent from all researchers seeking funding. These are steps in the right direction but just like anyone working in the medical field would tell you, there is still more to be done to ensure complete patient privacy and informed consent is the norm in every branch within the medical community. Whereas it took many years for the medical community to acknowledge the violations and origin of Henrietta’s cells it reassuring to see the progress that has been made to stamp out bad ethical behaviors.
It is never ethical for patients to be intimidated or forced into undergoing certain testing. I believe it is the patient’s decision whether to undergo genetic testing and be informed of the results. In my opinion, a lack of genetic counselors compromises the ethics of genetic testing as patients are more vulnerable to being pressured into doing tests or receiving results they never wished to receive. Therefore, I believe genetic testing is done in a more ethical way when genetic counselors are available as counselors operate by listening to patient requests, only providing information of testing he/she wishes to undergo, and only presenting and helping patients understand the requested results. Even the author of Proverbs 11:14 (English Standard Version) points out the ethical importance of counselors by declaring, “[w]here there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Ethical Considerations in Genetics and Genomics Ethical duties of genetic testing is a challenge among healthcare workers. Ethical dilemmas are created due to situations resulting from genetic testing. Ethical dilemmas is created when genetic testing reveals vital information to a patient and the patient refuses to disclose information to family members that can be affected. Healthcare workers are to protect the privacy of patient’s health records according to the Health Insurance Probability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)
A provincial health care organization is seeking a Genetic Counselor. A professional that participates in team approach to provide counseling to individuals , patients and families. Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals with specialized training and experience in medical genetics and counselling. They work as members off a health care team, providing individuals, and families on the nature and implications of their distinct genetic problems and disorders. Analyze genetic information to identify specific disorders or syndromes Explain diagnostic procedures Provide expertise in different clinical areas ( ex. Obstetrics, pediatrics, etc.)
“Genetic Testing and Secrets” In the article “Secrets of the Grave” it talks about how genetic testing can raise questions relating to the ethical way of getting genetic information and other questions relating to those they are testing. It can also lead to the use of and collection of questionable products such as jewelry with a famous persons DNA in it. This has lead policymakers to start to question the ethics of Biohistory, meaning whether a relative should be asked if genetic testing is ok or if the products being sold are appropriate. Scientist can use Biohistory which is the combination of biological testing and history.
A student from the Michigan University (2007) defines Bioethics as an activity which is a shared, reflective examination of ethical issues in health care, health science, and health policy. These fields have always had ethical standards, of course, handed down within each profession, and often without question. Hence, the discussion of this standards is called Bioethics. This discussions takes place in the media, in the academy, in classrooms, in labs, offices, and hospital wards. The conversation is often sparked by new developments, like the possibility of cloning.
Introduction Dr. Gress’s view that the results of a genetic test should be withheld from patients if they are positive is paternalistic, immoral, and does not consider the autonomy of the individual. He holds the position that notifying patients of their genetic status is too harmful and that it is a doctor’s duty to withhold information that could be devastating; however, in doing so, he violates many ethical principles that doctors should exercise. This paper will give an overview on the topic of genetic testing and the ethical and moral problems associated with it, an analysis rejecting Dr. Gress’s view, and a response to an objection to the thesis of which this paper is based on. Presentation of Topic
After reading the articles,”Why We Should Think Twice About Giving Genetic Tests to Our Kids” ,by Michael White, and “Genetic Testing for Kids:Is It a Good Idea?”, by Bonnie Rochman, parents should not give these tests to their children. If the children did take the test the result would outway the benefits, they would have anxiety, and the testing doesn’t always work. One main reason that a child should not the test is ,they could have anxiety for the rest of their lives. If a child took the genetic test they could learn they have a deadly disease they don’t know about yet.
The deliberation of bioethics in human cell and stem cell research has flip-flopped altercations between whether stem cell research corrupts the future or if basic ethical uses in clinical research are being held to its standards. The idea of having genetically altered drugs and cells sits with people the wrong way, and with that they have come to the decision that cell research will cause more problems than it stopping them. However, while a majority of people and scientists believe genetic engineering is an evil corruption of nature’s course, genetic engineering has the greatest potential to do something great for our future, but it is our moralistic responsibility to follow the rules of bioethics. The author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta
What are the specific issues raised in the book—legally and ethically? Think about the 1980s John Moore case: the appeal court decision and its reversal by the California Supreme Court. Issues that raised in the book are race issues, the legality of taking adventage of patients who’s family aren’t able to fight for the rights and benefit of their cells. According to California supreme court, Under the duty to obtain informed consent, “a doctor must disclose his intent in using a patient for research and economic gain.” 6.
M6D1 Ethics and Genetic Testing As we all can agree, our genes play a highly important role in making us who we are as humans. If the information produce by genes is normal than everything can turn out normal and infants can be born healthy. There are those incidents the genetic information produce by genes is wrong and results of this information can lead to injury, disease, and/or illness of the fetus (Munson, 2012).
Mental health counselors encounter many ethical dilemmas in forensic settings. This paper will discuss two ethical dilemmas encounters in forensic treatment settings. It will also examine the complication the dilemmas have on treatment in forensic settings. Lastly, it will communicate guidelines and ethical principles in resolving each dilemma.
Should or should we not prohibit genetically engineered babies is the question to ask. After years and year of trying to figure out the cure for a disease like a mitochondrial disease, a group of professional on the topic believes that it would greatly benefit the baby ’s outcome exceptionally if their parents has harmful genetics. Most people concern would be how the baby would turn out because there have not been any clinical trials that prove that the genetics that is engineered properly work like they should. I personally believe that the genetics of baby should not be engineered, but I do believe that it should be up to the parent of the children since it is their child in the first place.
Some argue that it is against Christianity. Nonetheless, holy books does not have an explicitly written text about genetic screening. The arguments are only constructed from implications of the holy texts. As the holy texts might hold many different meanings, who can know for sure, if genetic screening is just or unjust way? As this topic is very complicated dilemma and needs a further debates to come to a common consensus, one should consider two outcomes: when it is morally accepted and when it is condemned as unethical thing to do.
It is important for them to put their thoughts aside and place themselves in their client’s feelings and remain empathic. Any individual who are struggling to cope, are all authorized to contact counselling services. As counsellors they have to uphold equal opportunities as they are there to help clients think differently. The importance of confidentiality within counselling is extremely valuable as every individual has the right to say how their information can be accessed. Before starting a counselling session, counsellors agree not to disclose any information with anyone.