Purchase Solution

Biological Foundations of Health and Illness

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

This assignment should be 1-2 pages.

Critical Thinking Exercise - Genetic Screening:
As we move closer to the day when genetic screening and engineering become commonplace, many scientists are raising concerns about the social, ethical, and political implications of this genetic revolution. Who should decide what constitutes a genetic "defect"? Should genetic screening be required? Who would decide who must be screened?
Another worry concerns safeguarding the privacy of the individual. In nations that do not have universal health insurance, critics fear that insurance companies might require genetic screening before writing a policy, using this information either to deny coverage or to charge exorbitant premiums to those individuals who carry defective genes that might lead to chronic illness.
Another fear is that some may want to use genetic screening and gene therapy to "improve" individuals with traits that are not lethal, but simply less desirable. Should a parent, for example, be permitted to use genetic engineering to make a short child taller or a hyperactive child quieter?
To help bring your own thoughts on these controversial issues into sharper focus, answer the following questions.
1. Would you want to know that you carried a gene for a disease that can't be treated? How would you feel about knowing you carried a gene that might cause a disease to develop years later?
2. Should parents know if an unborn child might develop an incurable disease? What impact would such knowledge have on each domain of the child's health?
3. Should genetic screening be required of every couple? For some couples? Who should decide who must be screened?
4. What are some of the negative effects of genetic technology on the individual? On the family? On society?

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

Biological foundations of health and illness are examined. A critical thinking exercise for genetic screening is provided.

Solution Preview

1. Would you want to know that you carried a gene for a disease that can't be treated? How would you feel about knowing you carried a gene that might cause a disease to develop years later?
To prevent having a predisposition to a genetic illness and for treatment purpose, it does make sense to use the knowledge and science behind genetic testing and screening. It can have a positive impact on the longevity and quality of life of a person. Because, a disease can be prevented from occurring if the right treatment is applied after knowing about the possibility of a genetic illness's occurrence.

2. Should parents know if an unborn child might develop an incurable disease? What impact would ...

Solution provided by:
Saira Qureshi, MA
Education
  • BA, Rutgers, NJ
  • MA, NYU
Recent Feedback
  • "thank you"
  • "Thank you"
  • "Thank you Miss Saira."
  • "This is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
  • "Thanks"
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Nerves and the Nervous System

This quiz will assess your knowledge of the nervous system and how nerves send signals around the body.

Parts of the Brain

This quiz will test your knowledge on different areas of the brain.

Pregnancy Knowledge

How much do you know about being pregnant? Test your Pregnancy IQ with this quiz!

Feeding Babies

Do you know the science behind feeding babies? Test your knowledge with this quiz.

Light and Sight Vocabulary

This quiz introduces basic definitions of vocabulary related to light and how human eyes. This information is important for an understanding of sight.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Behavioral medicine and health psychology

    Health psychology is concerned with understanding how biological, psychological, environmental and cultural factors are involved in physical health and the prevention of illness.

  • Psychological concepts of mental health and mental illness

    483212 Different ways in which mental health and mental illness may be conceptualized in the field of psychology Please explain how a psychologist's subjectivity and biases may affect their conception of the mental state and health of patients, and how

  • Underlying Assumptions of the Biopsychological Approach

    A biopsychosocial view of illness begins with the basic assumption that health and illness result from an interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.

  • Occupational health in a hospital

    Occupational health problems related to biological hazards and hospital staff illnesses.

  • What is Health Psychology? What are the main concepts?

    correlates of health, illness and related dysfunction and to the analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation' The primary objective of health psychology is to promote and maintain the well being of individuals, communities

  • Conceptualization Of Mental Health and Illness

    530100 Conceptualization Of Mental Health and Illness A brief explanation of the different ways in which mental health and mental illness may be conceptualized in the field of psychology.

  • What is bioterrorism?

    According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, bioterrorism is the "intentional use of infectious biological agents, or germs, to cause illness" (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2012).

  • Multi-factorial Model, Diagnosis of Illness and Psychology

    204687 Multi-factorial Model, Diagnosis of Illness and Psychology 1. Summarize the multi-factorial model and how it relates to the diagnosis of illnesses. 2. Select two health problems discussed in the text.

  • Biological Psychology - What are some modern-day issues?

    Treatments of disease have human benefits, as well as societal benefits to have a healthy population of contribution citizens as well as a decrease in overall health care costs related to illness and disease.

View More Related Solutions