Log in
Biology
1
answer
0
watching
91
views

Biological Science in the News

Identify source (internet link) and date of news.

Write the title of the news article.

Use the D.A.R.E. critical thinking components to discuss article: Define, Analyze, Resolve, and Evaluate.

Define: What is article about?

Analyze: Discuss salient ideas or points. What impact do you think this news has or will have on you or the world we live in?

Resolve: Generate a few questions that you have about the information.

Evaluate: Is it a controversial or a critical issue that needs more research? Is it information you think should be more widely publicized? Should any action be taken? by whom? Explain your thoughts.

Watch
1
answer
0
watching
91
views

For unlimited access to Homework Help, a Homework+ subscription is required.

Deanna Hettinger
Deanna HettingerLv2
28 Sep 2019

Unlock all answers

Get 1 free homework help answer.
Already have an account? Log in
Share

Related textbook solutions

Molecular Cell Biology
8 Edition,
Lodish
ISBN: 9781464183393
Biology: Science for Life with Physiology
6 Edition,
Belk
ISBN: 9780134555430
Concepts of Biology
OER Edition,
Openstax
ISBN: 9781938168116
Biology
2nd Edition, 2013
Openstax
ISBN: 9781947172517
Essentials of Biology
5 Edition,
Mader
ISBN: 9781259660269

Related questions

Biological Science in the News (please do not copy others)

Search a currenty biology-related article online

Identify source (internet link) and date of news.

Write the title of the news article.

Use the D.A.R.E. critical thinking components to discuss article: Define, Analyze, Resolve, and Evaluate.

Define: What is article about? (do not discuss the important points here)

Analyze: a. Discuss salient/important ideas or points. b. What impact do you think this news has or will have on you or the world we live in?

Resolve: Generate a few questions that you have about the information.

Evaluate: Is it a controversial or a critical issue that needs more research? Is it information you think should be more widely publicized? Should any action be taken? by whom? Explain your thoughts.

On the Edge Selling Personalized Genetics

Several companies on the Internet sell genetic tests directly to consumers including 23andMe, Navigenics, decode Genetics, DNA Tribes, Genelex, ScientificMatch, Consumer Genetics, Salugen, DNAprint Genomics, Genova Diagnostics, Suracell, and many more. The companies ask customers to collect a sample of their genes with a cheek swab and send it to them for testing. Most test by putting the customer’s gene sample on a small flat “DNA microarray chip” that already contains pieces of DNA matching known genes (or gene mutations). If one of the customer’s genes matches one of the pieces of DNA on the chip, it binds to the DNA fragment which creates a tiny fluorescent glow showing that the gene indicated by the DNA fragment is in the sample. A computer then analyzes the pattern of glowing spots on the chip and prints out a list of the genes (or gene mutations) in the customer’s sample. Scientists have discovered a few genes that are associated with specific diseases or personal characteristics. Studies found, for example, genes that are linked to cystic fibrosis, Tay Sachs disease, and Lou Gehrig’s disease, genes that increase the risk of certain breast, colon, and thyroid cancers, and genes associated with sensation seeking, eye color, obesity, and lactose intolerance. They also found that some genes are more often found in people whose ancestors came from certain regions of the world. The companies say that based on these studies and their own gene tests, they can give customers valuable personalized information (for a price, of course). One company, Sciona, (no longer operating) said on its website: “Sciona is a leader in nutrigenomics, the science of personalizing your nutrition and lifestyle choices to match your genes”; Sciona gave customers “a personalized preventative dietary regime” that was supposed to prevent the diseases their genes put them at risk for. Another site promises: “Based upon the . . . [genetic] analysis, Suracell recommends to each client a personalized regimen of nutraceuticals [vitamin supplements].” Another states: “DNA Tribes . . . uses genetic material . . . to measure your genetic connections to individual ethnic groups and major world regions.” Another company claims to do it all: “With a simple saliva sample we’ll help you gain insight into your traits, from baldness to muscle performance. Discover risk factors for 95 diseases. Know your predicted response to drugs, from blood thinners to coffee. And uncover your ancestral origins.” Critics claim, however, that with a few exceptions, most studies have shown only weak connections between genes and specific traits, disease risks, drug responses, nutritional or vitamin needs, or ancestral origins. Many studies that link specific genes to a disease are only preliminary and the full picture has not yet been worked out. Moreover, critics say, it is wrong to tell customers their genes put them at risk of a deadly disease without proper counseling, especially when the scientific studies are weak and many other environmental, demographic, and lifestyle factors determine the actual onset of a disease. Ordinary consumers, they conclude, are being sold a product that they do not have the expertise to interpret. But defenders of the tests say consumers have a right to know what genes they carry and what science has learned about those genes. The companies charge from $140 to test for two or three genes, up to $999 to test for a full suite of genes. Evaluate the ethics of selling gene tests directly to consumers like these companies are doing. What would each of the three theories of a business’s duties to consumers say about what the companies are doing? Under what conditions do you think selling the tests would be ethically legitimate? Check out the video of GAO interviews of gene-test company salespeople at http://www.gao.gov/products/gao-10-847t .

Based on this issue evaluate the ethics of selling gene tests directly to consumers. Watch the video showing GAO interviews of the gene-test company salespeople and evaluate the ethics of the selling practices shown on the video. Answer the following questions:

1. What would the three theories of business's duties to consumers say about what the companies are doing?

2. Is it ever ethical for direct-to-consumer selling of these tests?

3. Should the government-on its own discretion-be able to use the DNA data in the databases to solve crimes and catch criminals?

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-847T

Weekly leaderboard

Home
Homework Help 3,900,000
Biology 460,000
Start filling in the gaps now
Log in