Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ease. moreover, there are currently no regulations in the United states to
guarantee the accuracy or reliability of genetic testing, some of which is
now marketed directly through the mail via do-it-yourself DnA-sampling
kits. Authors of the elsi component of the hGP sum up a section on the
pros and cons of genetic testing this way: “many in the medical establish-
ment feel that uncertainties surrounding test interpretation, the current
lack of available medical options for these diseases, the tests' potential for
provoking anxiety, and risks for discrimination and social stigmatization
could outweigh the benefits of testing.”
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Taking Care of Your Epigenome
environments experienced by parents and grandparents may profoundly
affect the health of offspring, and these effects may reflect the epigenomes
inherited from one's parents (lalande 1996). Propensities toward diabetes,
obesity, and difficulty in managing stress are examples of traits likely to
be inherited epigenetically. even though we do not yet fully understand all
the factors that influence our epigenomes, it seems prudent to assume that
our lifestyles are somehow reflected in the epigenomes of our children.
Physiological effects of drug and alcohol use, high-stress jobs and relation-
ships, and quality of nutrition may all contribute to the epigenomes we be-
queath to our children, giving deep ethical significance to lifestyle choices
of prospective parents.
Chimpanzees and Ethical Research
in light of the near equivalence of chimps and humans at the DnA level,
and chimps' similarity to us physiologically and even socially, it is appro-
priate to ask ourselves some pointed questions.
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should chimps be treated
like other research animals such as rabbits and mice, or should they be ac-
corded rights similar to those we give ourselves? if research chimps and
human subjects unable to give informed consent are treated similarly, who
ought to act on a chimp's behalf by consenting to the research? should hu-
man genes ever be incorporated into the chimp genome, or vice versa?
Chimp populations in the wild are endangered, and presently there is a
moratorium on using nih monies to breed chimps. should other funds be
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