Bioethics and Genetic Engineering

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary concern in the use of embryonic stem cells in research and therapy?

The potential for 'designer babies'

Access to gene therapy for genetic disorders

The moral status of the embryo (correct)

The long-term impacts on the human gene pool

What is a common aspect of gene therapy and genetic modification?

The alteration of an individual's genetic makeup (correct)

The destruction of embryos

The potential for 'designer babies'

The use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology

What is the primary advantage of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) over embryonic stem cells?

They have less potential for misuse

They are more easily accessible than embryonic stem cells

They offer a potential cure for genetic disorders

They do not raise concerns about the moral status of the embryo (correct)

What is a key difference between gene therapy and genetic modification?

Gene therapy focuses on treating genetic disorders, while genetic modification involves editing genes for non-therapeutic purposes Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential long-term impact of genetic modification?

The long-term impacts on the human gene pool Signup and view all the answers

What is a common concern related to gene therapy?

Access to gene therapy for genetic disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is a major concern in clinical trials?

Ensuring participants fully understand the risks and benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is an ethical issue in surrogacy?

The rights of the surrogate mother Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge in end-of-life care?

Balancing the right to die with potential abuses Signup and view all the answers

What is an ethical issue in resource allocation?

Determining how to allocate limited medical resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

The treatment of surplus embryos Signup and view all the answers

What is an ethical issue in reproductive technologies?

The exploitation of surrogate mothers Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge in ensuring healthcare access and equity?

Ensuring access to healthcare for all Signup and view all the answers

What is a debate in end-of-life care?

The legality and morality of euthanasia Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concern regarding the use of electronic health records and big data in healthcare?

The privacy and security of personal health information Signup and view all the answers

What is an ethical consideration related to the use of AI in diagnosing and treating patients?

The risk of bias in algorithms and lack of transparency in decision-making processes Signup and view all the answers

What is a key ethical concern related to the impact of climate change on public health?

The disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations Signup and view all the answers

What is an ethical dilemma in managing public health emergencies, such as pandemics?

Balancing individual rights with community safety Signup and view all the answers

What is a key debate related to universal healthcare?

The ethical obligation to provide healthcare to all citizens and how to achieve this equitably Signup and view all the answers

What is an ethical consideration related to the use of AI in medicine?

The accountability of AI systems in medical decision-making Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prevalence of Bioethics

Bioethical issues are increasingly prevalent due to advancements in science and technology, raising new ethical questions and dilemmas.

Genetic Engineering and CRISPR

Human Genetic Modification: Gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 raise debates over modifying human embryos, "designer babies," and long-term impacts on the human gene pool.
Gene Therapy: Offers potential cures for genetic disorders, but raises questions about access, consent, and implications of altering an individual's genetic makeup.

Stem Cell Research

Embryonic Stem Cells: Research and therapy are controversial due to the destruction of embryos, raising concerns about the moral status of the embryo.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): A less controversial alternative, but ethical issues related to consent and potential misuse remain.

End-of-Life Decisions

Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Debates continue over the legality and morality of allowing individuals to end their lives with medical assistance, balancing the right to die with potential abuses and societal implications.
Advance Directives and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: Ethical dilemmas arise when patients' wishes are unclear or when there is disagreement among family members or medical professionals about end-of-life care.

Reproductive Issues

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Ethical concerns include the treatment of surplus embryos, the rights of donors, and the implications of selecting for specific traits in offspring.
Surrogacy: Ethical concerns include the exploitation of surrogate mothers, the rights of the surrogate and the intended parents, and the legal status of the resulting child.

Clinical Trials and Research

Informed Consent: Ensuring that participants in clinical trials fully understand the risks and benefits and are not coerced is a major ethical concern.
Use of Placebos: The ethics of using placebos in clinical trials, particularly when effective treatments are available, is debated.

Healthcare Access and Equity

Resource Allocation: Ethical issues arise in determining how limited medical resources, such as organs for transplantation or new, expensive treatments, should be allocated.
Universal Healthcare: Debates over the ethical obligation to provide healthcare to all citizens and how to achieve this equitably are ongoing.

Data Privacy and AI in Medicine

Patient Data Protection: The increasing use of electronic health records and big data in healthcare raises concerns about the privacy and security of personal health information.
AI and Machine Learning: The use of AI in diagnosing and treating patients brings ethical questions about accountability, bias in algorithms, and the transparency of decision-making processes.

Environmental and Public Health Ethics

Climate Change: The impact of climate change on public health and the ethical responsibility to mitigate its effects, particularly on vulnerable populations, is a growing concern.
Pandemic Response: Ethical dilemmas in managing public health emergencies, such as prioritizing vaccine distribution and balancing individual rights with community safety, have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Description

Explore the ethical implications of genetic engineering and CRISPR technology, including human genetic modification, gene therapy, and access to these technologies.