Olivia Wygal 4/29/13 Biology 1 Professor Ajelabi Genetics and Society 1.

Should genetic screening tests be required for individuals such as the young couple in the scenario, if both parents are suspected to be at risk for serious genetic disease? Why? Why not? Should they be tested before pregnancy occurs or after pregnancy? Why or why not? How would your answer change if only one parent is at risk? I dont believe that they should REQUIRED for individuals such as the young couple in the scenario, even if both parents are suspected to be at risk for serious genetic disease. I believe this because I dont think they should be forced to do anything they dont want to do. That being said, I believe that it should be heavily encouraged by their medical doctor for them to be screened. They should get tested before pregnancy, so that they may then make an informed decision about whether they should attempt to procreate, or pursue other options such as adoption.

2. Assume the Jones, knowing that they are at risk decide to take their chances and have a child that is born with Tay-Sachs. Knowing your genetics- what would their chance be? The average cost for treatment and care of a Tay-Sachs child from birth until death is between $150,000-300,000. Does society (taxpayers) have a responsibility to provide such expensive and necessary care if the parents (knowingly or unknowingly) bring an affected child into the world? Does whether they know about their chances or not make a difference in your response? Why or why not?

The chance of them having a baby with Tay-Sachs would be one in four, which isnt too high but still enough to give pause. Tax payers shouldnt have the burden, but some of that responsibility does fall on them because they benefit from taxes so why shouldnt the couple? This society isnt one that can pick and choose between what their taxes go towards, even if we would like it to be that way (Like the Iraqi War, War on Drugs, ect). No, knowing their chances does not make a difference because they have the right to take that chance.

3.

If the Jones decide to have a genetic screening test, should the results of the test be made

available to their insurance company? Why or why not? Yes, if the Jones decided to have a genetic screening test, the results should be available to their insurance company, because if they were to have a child with Tay-Sachs then the help that can be provided to them from the insurance company would be needed with the average costs listed above.

4. Should known carriers of genetic disorders have children if both parents are at a risk? Does it depend on the disease? Why or why not? I believe that Its personal choice, as Ive repeated several times. Obviously, carriers of genetic disorders such as color-blindess wont care as much as carriers as tay-sachs or hemophila, but the concept is still the same. The decision is up the parent on if they want to attempt to make a baby, knowing the risks.

5. Are there genetic disorders such as Tay-Sachs for which abortion could be considered as a responsibility to society? Why or why not?

No, having an abortion should never be considered a responsibility to society. That should be a personal choice. If the parents realize the fetus will have Tay-Sachs, and choose to have an abortion, then that is a personal choice, and will not affect society at all. They should be free to make a consenting decision without all the pressure from society. Personally, I would probably have an abortion rather than have my baby suffer through that, but thats not because I believe I have a responsibility to society to not burden them with a defective baby.