Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Embryo Testing


There are millions and millions of disease in the world and many of these diseases are genetic. These genetic diseases that have been passed down family lines, pose as a risk to couples that are planning on starting a family. In the “Ethics Questions Arise as Genetic Testing of Embryos Increases,” a young woman and her boyfriend found out that the woman has the genetic disease called “Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, which will cause her to have a “slow and terrible death.” When people find out heartbreaking news like this, they have a lot of decisions to make and a lot of factors to consider if they plan on having children. This one woman still planned on having a child, so they chose a different route and had in vitro fertilization, so the eggs could be tested for the disease-causing gene.  The embryos without the gene were the ones that were implanted into her. Now they have two kids that will never have GSS.

The genetic testing of embryos has been around for a long time, and a lot of people have a hard time affording it because it is so expensive due to all the steps that have to be taken.
The main problem is that this has raised some ethical questions. In my opinion this should not have anything to do with ethics. This is about protecting new life from dangerous, life-threatening diseases. The woman is discard the eggs that are bad, which is better than destroying the fetus growing inside of her. If you have the chance, and resources to possibly change the future of a new life, then why wouldn’t you? The couple from the article had eggs tested, and the disease-free ones saved, this to me, was a genius idea. They chose to protect their children and now are living a happy life, and preparing the children for their mother’s death that will happen in the future.

Posted By: Maylissa Charmant (1)

5 comments:

  1. I agree that embryo testing is a great resource especially for people like the ones mentioned in the article. It seems like it can really do more good than bad in that kind of situation. It's too bad it isn't more affordable for people like the couple mentioned
    Posted by Morgan Matuszko

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  2. I agree with you on the aspect of embyo testing, however I was wondering if you had any information on the argument against using embryo testing. It is interesting to see your view, but I wonder if there are any possible reasons as to why some one wouldn't want to go through with this procedure. It is upsetting to know that not everyone can afford these resources, thereby increasing a child's chances of a life threatening disease.

    Lindsey Janof

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  3. Genetic testing is able to do and predict some amazing things. I definitely agree that we should be able to help someone have the best life possible in this situation.

    Alex Sroczynski

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  4. I agree with you about genetic testing being available for everyone because being able to have a better living conditions should be something that is accessible to everyone. One of the arguments against genetic testing is religious. Some believe that genetic testing is not a natural processes and thus is a sinful act of some sort and that the makings of a baby and all those characteristics should be left up to God and that its not in the hands of mankind to make such changes. I do not know if there are any scientific disagreements to this topic because it seems like something that is only beneficial.

    Jefi Varghese

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  5. I agree with the use of genetic testing. I actually interned at Montefiore Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health in high school and was able to work hands on in the lab, as well as meet families who came for procedures. Especially after talking with some of the couples that struggled with situations similar to this one, it was heart touching and I fully support the use of science to enable couples to start healthy families. I do not see anything ethnically wrong about these procedures; it benefits the life of the child. I think it should be a personal decision, and people who are against it do not have to participate in such procedures themselves.
    Posted by Kristen Whitehead

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