Choose and describe a scientific technique or practice related to genetics and eugenics. Provide the rationale behind the use of this technique or practice.
MicroSort is a modified flow cytometer that can separate heavier sperm from lighter sperm. Since X chromosomes are heavier than Y chromosomes, MicroSort can be used for gender selection of a baby. This reproductive option can potentially be used for couples who want to reduce the risk of sex-linked diseases in their future children or it can be used to simply choose the gender of their children. This technique produces accurate results about 90 percent of the time (Karabinus et al., 2014).
Discuss your thoughts and ideas regarding the technique or practice. Is it ever justifiable? Why or why not?
I believe that gender selection is justifiable in a scenario where a couple only has children of one gender and would like to finally have a child of the other gender. However, I do not think that gender selection is justifiable when used for sexist reasons. For example, in the textbook, Pence explains that gender selection is a significant problem in China. In China, males are more desirable than females by parents. In the event that a woman is pregnant with a female, the baby is usually terminated or the baby goes missing after she is born. In 2016, single men between the ages of 20 to 44 outnumber single women 2 to 1 (Pence, 2017). Therefore, I do not think that gender selection practices should be used for sexist reasons because it eventually leads to sex imbalances.
References
Karabinus, D., Marazzo, D., Stern, H., Potter, D., Opanga, C., Cole, M., … Schulman, J. (2014). The effectiveness of flow cytometric sorting of human sperm (MicroSort) for influencing a child’s sex. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 12, 106. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4256056/
Pence, G. (2017). Medical ethics: accounts of groundbreaking ethics (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
2: Ars.
RE: Discussion Prompt
COLLAPSE
Choose and describe a scientific technique or practice related to genetics and eugenics. Provide the rationale behind the use of this technique or practice.
A practice that I read about is called negative genetic engineering which is a process that involves removing or modifying genes to prevent and treat genetic diseases. Scientists can engineer somatic cells to correct deficiencies known as somatic cell gene transfer, in which recombinant DNA is reintroduced back into the patient to replace the diseased cells (Montefiori, 2019). This is a strategy for both therapeutic and reproductive cloning.
Discuss your thoughts and ideas regarding the technique or practice. Is it ever justifiable? Why or why not?
In my personal opinion, as we strive in medical enhancements, I find that if it benefits humanity, it should be pursued. The justification that I find it that it will prevent disease and suffering in people. Yet, I can understand those who take a naturalist approach in that they believe intervention should not interfere with natural processes. The problem with this idea, in my opinion, is that shows little sympathy, which will not aid people and their problems.
Montefiori, L. E., & Nobrega, M. A. (2019). Gene therapy for pathologic gene expression. Science, 363(6424), 231-232.
PROFESSOR WRITE FOR HIM:
You bring up an interesting question, Arsen. Do we really want our lives to proceed "naturally"? If by natural, we mean without medical intervention, then most of us would say absolutely not. And it's not immediately clear to me how setting a bone or immunizing against polio is any more "natural" than genetic engineering. Simpler, yes, but otherwise it's hard for me to see the difference.
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