Our increasing understanding of genetics brings with it new dilemmas. For example, it is now possible to determine when an individual has the genes for a serious disorder, such as Huntington’s disease (a fatal neurological disorder, which is due to a dominant gene, but is not expressed until the person is in their 40s). If you had the gene for Huntington’s disease, would you want to know? Why or why not?
Once we understand how genes function, it will be tempting to try to control the process. Consider the implications of the movie Gattaca, which portrays a world where parents can select the genetic make-up of their children. Is such a scenario desirable? Would this ensure that a child would be exactly the person the parents desired? Would you want to be able to select the genetic make-up of your child? Would you want to be a child whose genetic make-up had been selected by your parents?
Already registered? Login
Not Account? Sign up
Enter your email address to reset your password
Back to Login? Click here