Exam 3: Genetic Control

Currently, several state and federal laws make it a crime for couples who are genetically considered "bad risks" to have children.

Magill and Neaves claim that if stem cells can be derived from human skin cells there can be no moral objection to research on stem cells from this source.

There is no difference between therapeutic and non-therapeutic cloning.

It is undisputed that the fetus has the same moral status as a person.

Before embryonic stem cells begin to differentiate, they have the potential to become any of the specialized cells.

Julian Savulescu argues that society has a moral obligation not to allow tests for non-disease genes (if they become available) to be used in making reproductive decisions.

Multifactorial diseases have more than one cause, and so cannot be successfully treated.

Michael Sandel argues that we should pursue genetic enhancements to secure the most perfect humans possible.

Genetic screening involves public health programs that survey target populations with the aim of detecting individuals at risk of disease for genetic reasons.

It has been suggested that every disease involves a genetic component in some way.

Rawls's principles of justice would give us reason to provide social support to a genetically impaired child.

Roman Catholic moral thought holds that it is morally wrong to destroy a human embryo to acquire stem cells.

At the current moment, only about 100 human diseases have been identified as involving genetic factors.

Even granted the role of genes in producing diseases, it is important to keep in mind that predispositions are not themselves diseases.

Because embryonic stem cells have the capacity to become cells of any type, it is possible that they could be used to produce whatever sort of cells that are needed to treat a particular disease.