Scott L.
Period 2
Period 2
Stage Of Life: Adulthood
Genetic Engineering Concept: Cancer Treatment
Description of Concept:
Genetic Engineering Concept: Cancer Treatment
Description of Concept:
How is my topic important to Science?
Genetic testing is important to our science world today. It could help people to be relived from uncertainty and allow people to take steps to reduce their cancer risk. In addition, people who have a positive test result may be able to participate in medical research that could, in the long run, help reduce deaths. This is the sole reason of which Genetic Screening/Testing is very important to Science.
How is my topic important to Human Culture?
“Because harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are relatively rare in the general population, most experts agree that mutation testing of individuals who do not have cancer should be performed only when the person’s family history suggests the possible presence of a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended that women who have family members with breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer be evaluated to see if they have a family history that is associated with an increased risk of a harmful mutation in one of these genes” (2)
As said above, the mutation testing method is highly accepted by experts worldwide and could be performed without any serious casualties. CAR Cells of the other hand, is still trying to be proven. It has not been verified by the FDA.
How is my topic important to human culture?
“The cost for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation testing usually ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Insurance policies vary with regard to whether or not the cost is covered. People considering BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation testing may want to find out about their insurance coverage for genetic tests before having the test.
Some of the genetic testing companies that offer testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations may offer testing at no charge to patients who lack insurance and meet specific financial and medical criteria.” (2)
The process for which the Cancer is cured is by Mapping out a Person’s Genome. The Doctors find out genes that affect or might affect the patient in the future. The Doctor either replaces the Gene with a working affective one or prevents the outbreak of the diagnosis with prescription Drugs, Testing out certain types to see which Drug works well with that unique patient.
The above explains that the cost for Genetic Treatment (most of your description focused on the genetic screening for cancer, not the treatment itself). of Genomics for Cancer ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on different procedures and Cancers. Some Tests are free for patients who lack insurance and meet special conditions.
Benefits of your genetic engineering concept:
The benefits of using Genetic Treatment to cure and prevent cancer is in the most way valuable and respected. The benefits are endless. By using Genetic Screening, we could prevent almost all of the Cancer types if noticed early enough and also give patients a head start to match up prescription drugs in order to fight Cancer. It could not only save lives but also give life by allowing patients to know and feel relieved having or not having Cancer. This is the most effective and popular was to treat Cancer as of today. It has been proven by the FDA. This method is Safe, Reliable, and Effective. Image a world today with Cancer having the same rank and influence as the Common Flu. It could change million’s of people’s lives. This is why I believe that Genetic Screening could redesign a lot of people’s lives.
Risks involved with your genetic engineering concept:
According to the official website Cancer.gov, the risks are as follows:
“The direct medical risks, or harms, of genetic testing are minimal, but knowledge of test results may have harmful effects on a person’s emotions, social relationships, finances, and medical choices.
People who receive a positive test result may feel anxious, depressed, or angry. They may have difficulty making choices about whether to have preventive surgery or about which surgery to have.
People who receive a negative test result may experience “survivor guilt,” caused by the knowledge that they likely do not have an increased risk of developing a disease that affects one or more loved ones.
Because genetic testing can reveal information about more than one family member, the emotions caused by test results can create tension within families. Test results can also affect personal choices, such as decisions about marriage and childbearing.
Violations of privacy and of the confidentiality of genetic test results are additional potential risks. However, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and various state laws protect the privacy of a person’s genetic information. Moreover, the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, along with many state laws, prohibits discrimination based on genetic information in relation to health insurance and employment, although it does not cover life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance.
Finally, there is a small chance that test results may not be accurate, leading people to make decisions based on incorrect information. Although inaccurate results are unlikely, people with these concerns should bring them up during genetic counseling.” (2)
Interview Questions:
Scott has conducted a research in the field of Cancer. Scott asked 4 Random students from West Tech and 1 Random Teacher about the topic of Cancer on each question. This is how these lovely contributors responded!
Interviewee | Question |
| Do you have any insight to any Cancer related diseases such as White Blood Cell Cancer? No No No Yes Teacher - Yes (Palafox) |
2. Classmates + Teacher | Have you ever had thoughts about having your Genome mapped out in order to find out Cancer Related Genes? No Yes Yes Yes Teacher - Yes (Palafox) |
3. Classmates + Teacher | From your field of expertise, do you believe Cancer to be untreatable as of right now? (Yes = Treatable) Yes Yes Yes Yes Teacher - Yes (Palafox) |
4.Classmates + Teacher | If we could prevent Cancer today by mapping your genes, would you consider it even though it may cost a huge amount? Yes Yes Yes Yes Teacher - Yes (Palafox) |
5. Classmates + Teacher | Do you have any family members that have had experience with Cancer? Yes Yes Yes Yes Teacher = Yes (Palafox) |
As you could see from the results, Cancer appeared to be very common among families. By using Genetic Screening, we would
affect many lives and many families as well. The impact would be humungous and amazing to see. I would love to see all these
families get treatment and cures, especially with the families that had or have experienced family members that have had
experience with Cancer.
Resources:
Resources:
CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy. (2014, October 16). Retrieved February 12, 2015, from http://www.cancer.gov/ |
BRCA1 & BRCA2: Cancer Risk & Genetic Testing. (2014, January 22). Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.cancer.gov/ |
Gene Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.mdanderson.org/ |
Cancer Treatment Gets Personal. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://harvardmagazine.com/ |
Reflection:
I believe my topic to be moral, as almost all experts believe that this method of treatment (Genetic Screening/Genotype) has no Harmful after effects. This method; which I also believe to be moral because of how it does not interrupt our privacy except having a record of our whole DNA mapped out. This, Of course would lead and create problems that we have never seen before. This Cancer treatment type may affect my life because a certain type of Cancer runs in my family although it is not common. I believe that humans should consider re-designing life as it would prevent or even cure life threatening disasters or events at a low cost, both humanely and economically. These types of technologies that would let us re-design life would help the human race but has to have a certain moral and limit to where you may not genetically modify anything except when you are helping or alleviating a person to be more “normal”.
I believe my topic to be moral, as almost all experts believe that this method of treatment (Genetic Screening/Genotype) has no Harmful after effects. This method; which I also believe to be moral because of how it does not interrupt our privacy except having a record of our whole DNA mapped out. This, Of course would lead and create problems that we have never seen before. This Cancer treatment type may affect my life because a certain type of Cancer runs in my family although it is not common. I believe that humans should consider re-designing life as it would prevent or even cure life threatening disasters or events at a low cost, both humanely and economically. These types of technologies that would let us re-design life would help the human race but has to have a certain moral and limit to where you may not genetically modify anything except when you are helping or alleviating a person to be more “normal”.
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