Genetic Screening: A Historical Overview - Essay Sample

Introduction

Paying attention to the history of genetic screening, one can identify that testing has been used by the institution over a long time to note the changes that happen to the bodies of human beings and also used for the determination of species concerning plants in agriculture. Moreover, it has been used to determine bloodlines and also enables a person to comprehend the manner through which diseases are spread and inherited among human beings.

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According to Mark Hall and Stephen Rich, (2000), more than half the states in America had enacted laws that restrict healthcare givers and insurers to incorporate the use of genetic information when carrying out activities such as ensuring and pricing in the early 1990s. The use of genetic information in the determination of these aspects was, and it invaded the privacy of these people. It was essential to ensure that genetic information of these people was not provided because if so, people in society with ill intentions might use the provided data to cause harm to the patients.

Wisconsin in 1993 is identified as the pioneer state to engage in the action, and this is because it had seen some aspects of genetic testing going wrong after the exposure of these patients. The state that followed was Ohio in the year 1996. Strict laws were set up, and the consequences of breaking these laws were very dire. One of the punishments undertaken is imprisonment of the person, and another penalty is ensuring there is compensation to the families of the victims. It is also imperative to note that in 1996, a federal law that went by the title Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPAA) was introduced and it prevented health insurers from incorporating the aspect of "Preexisting Condition" in cases related to genetic screening.

During the time of the legislation, and more specifically around the dawn of the new millennium in the years 2000 and 2001, there was an uprising where advocates and human rights activists stood up against the oppression that was being incorporated by medical practitioners. The advocacy groups were majorly made up of people within the genetic environment, and consequently, they understood the risk factors that were involved. The main thing that incensed these advocacy groups is the fact that people would get to carry out mischievous practices in the medical environment and even sell genetic data of people to the highest bidders thus contravening the law of privacy.

Since there were no clear rules that would work to counter this, the information would be used, and family secrets would be revealed. Moreover, these medical practitioners made vast amounts of money because they would counter any court cases and win because they knew that the law relating to genetic screening was rather lenient. Many people at the time complained, and this led to the establishment of rules that would ensure that the screening process was secure enough for people to trust the system.

As time has progressed, the rules have changed, and this is where it is rather strictly illegal for people to use personal or rather private information for their advantage. Some of the well-known medical cases where a practitioner is found guilty of a crime are followed by either suspension and in some cases; there is the revoking of the practicing license. Due to the current strict guidelines, doctors had improved ethically where after they screen their patients, they ensure the security of this information for when left exposed it can lead to much more danger than when sealed.

Nature of Any Societal or Ethical Problems Associated With the Topic

There are numerous societal problems associated with the concept of genetic screening. One of the societal problems linked to the issue is preconception. Many people in society reach their conclusions regarding the dangers and the benefits of going through genetic screening. As presented by research carried out on women, a total of 816 women were chosen for a study after being deemed eligible. For all the women reached out, 540 of the women declined participation. Of these 540 women, only 240 of them completed the study in time where the early decliners were 166, and the late decliners stood at 74 (Gilmore, Schneider, Davis, Kauffman, Leo, Bergen, & McMullen, 2017).

The reasons why these women declined are owing to societal influences and ethical notions relating to genetic screening. The societal problems included and recognized after this research is the thought that genetic testing is not, and the specific issue here is ignorance. The number of people that cited this after questioning the reason as to why they were not interested in the activity was 48% (Gilmore et al. 2017). Another group that also showed ignorance on the same topic cited that they were not interested in knowing about the subject. It is indispensable to note the importance of going through the process, and with this ignorance, it is impossible to resolve health problems they might bear.

Other societal issues are relating to the lack of awareness among people in the community. As presented in the study mentioned above, most of the people that had initially agreed to the survey later withdrew their will. When questioned reasons as to why they agreed and then withdrew from the activity, most of them stated that they lacked enough information to understand the importance of genetic screening. They further said that they had initially opted for the study owing to pure curiosity and then later lacked interest (Gilmore, et al. 2017). It is the responsibility of the various practitioners in the field of medicine to ensure they spread information relating to genetic screening to people in society and through this people can understand the importance of the practice and consequently participate in it.

A society problem that was cited by the people that withdrew late is that they feared the doctors would violate their privacy. The women went through the early stages of the study, but due to influence from societal groups such as other women that refused to engage in the research, they opted out of the study (Gilmore et al. 2017). It is advisable to have credible doctors that society can trust with their personal information. Through increased trust, the societal problem of privacy violation ought to be averted entirely.

A different but most common societal issue to review is the fear of how people perceive your actions. Some people fear that they might be judged unfairly because of going through genetic screening but the community ought to have a change of mindset to understand that this is just like any other procedure. When people continue with that trend, it is not a surprise that many people might get serious complications because they do not know the state of their health and provided they do not have the will power to change, they cannot receive any assistance. The issue of fear is one of those that have affected the contemporary environment and it is imperative to note and change this mindset.

Pro and Against Arguments on the Topic

Many arguments exist relating to why it is essential to go through genetic screening while there are those arguments that explain why it is not right to go through screening. One of the arguments supporting the concept of gene testing is that it is possible for one to know their ancestry. Some people are eager to know who their great grandparents were and consequently comprehend how the various generations in their families have changed. Through genetic screening, it is possible to identify one's roots and enjoy a stroll back through history to identify a person's origins.

Another argument in support of genetic screening is the fact that it is possible for a person to note any diseases that he or she might be exposed to through reviewing family medical history and consequently comprehend how to deal with the problem. Scientists have been very vocal, seeking to have people not fear to go through genetic screening, citing that it is imperative for their health (Hendricks-Sturrup & Lu, 2019). However, people have always been skeptic thinking that scientists might expose them, and this fear makes them avoid going for screening.

It is also imperative to go through genetic screening not only to note diseases but also to change health behavior. Some people only improve their health practices when they realize that they are facing health predicament. Genetic screening is imperative in the diagnosis of some diseases, and consequently, it is possible for a person to note the health problems that he or she might be facing. After identification, living a healthier lifestyle where the person avoids consumption of deadly foods and taking unhealthy beverages becomes paramount, and consequently, the individual avoids unnecessary complications and multiple visits to a physician.

Despite the given advantages of genetic screening, it is vital to note that there are negative aspects involved with it. One of the cons that come with genetic testing is the fact that the privacy of the patient is not guaranteed. Some unscrupulous physicians are just out to make money by selling genetic information of their patients to the highest bidder (O'Daniel, Haga, & Willard, 2010). The contemporary environment is one laden with a lot of personal grudges, and if an individual engages in the business, they might find a buyer. The almost always has ill motives and for example, if a person bears a gene that makes him vulnerable and allergic to various products, the enemy might use this information to go as far as to poison the person.

Another negative aspect with relation to privacy is that the hospitals where the unscrupulous practitioner works might get negative reviews upon the information coming out. The information might even affect other noble doctors who work tirelessly to ensure the safe delivery of services for the patients. With a poor reputation owing to breaking client doctor confidentiality, the doctors might also be incorporated into the scandal, and the general effect of this has them probably failing to get employment in other medical institutions. Information presented here shows that it is not only the patients that are affected by the poor practices of unprofessional doctors but other doctors as well.

Analysis of Ethical Issues Surrounding the Topic

It is also appropriate to go through the significant ethical issues relating to genetic testing. One of the major concerns is relating to the right the family of the patient has in learning and disseminating the information to other parties. Some patients are not comfortable with the notion that their family members have the right to know if they have a pre-existing condition. Some are insecure, but it is the right of the doctor to offer this information to family members since this is genetic; the other family members might as well suffer from the same condition and consequently ought to go through screening as well.

Some family members spread information to the public, and the ethical state of this is questionable. Family members ought to respect the request of the patient even though they have the right to know their state (Witt & Witt, 2016). Another issue concerning ethics and the concept of genetic screening is whether it is lawful for the patient to pass the information on to a broader range of stakeholders. Some stakeholders can assist in the resolution of the genetic problem that a patient might have and this is by offering recommendations to various other health institutions and through this one can get grants and other forms of funding.

The counselor should also identify the importance of the right not to know where he or she should understand that his ethical obligation is to the patient fi...