Although these cells are unspecialised they can only develop into a specific type of cell. A lot of research has been put into stem cells as we can remove them an embryo, and in theory use them to use them for: * Making new brain cells for people with Parkinson’s disease. * Rebuilding bones and cartilage * Repairing damaged immune systems * Making replacement heart valves Although this sounds very exciting, a lot of social and ethical issues have come about, due to the stem cells used for research coming from human embryos. As a result, the government has kept a close eye on the research being done. The main ethical issue is that many people, due to their religion or personal opinion believe that destroying human embryos is a form of murder.
This research paper will explain how modern genetic technology may lead to personalizing medicine, and discuss the drawbacks and limitations to human medicine. I will also provide examples for benefits of personalized medicine. According to Cliff Mintz, the Future of Personalized Medicine is defined as “a young but rapidly advancing field of healthcare that is informed by each person’s unique clinical, genetic, genomic, and environmental information (Life Science Leader 2010). Personalized medicine is seen by many as technology of the future; nevertheless, there are others who believe personalized medicine is having a positive influence on patients. Personalize medicine has changed the concepts of patient care.
Even though his experiments were controversial, Henrietta’s cancer cells were special because they were the “first immortal human cells ever grown in culture and thus vital to the development and discovery of several medical landmarks like the polo vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and in vitro fertilization.” (Zielinski) Of the many ethical issues that arise in the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, one of the most important topics revolves around the autonomy of the prisoner’s consent of such dangerous experimentation. The general definition of autonomy is self-governance. Autonomy can be broken down into two areas. First, “autonomous behavior is governed by plans of action that have been formulated through deliberation or reflection.” (p.83) Secondly, it must be intentional and voluntary, “from choices people make based upon their own life plans.” (p.83) Terrance Ackerman describes four conditions that can constrict a person’s ability to act autonomously. Out of the four constraints; physical, cognitive, psychological, and social, the prisoners are affected physically and therefore can not make autonomous decisions.
During the 19th century, the world had witnessed several huge medical revolutions; patients who previously died from specific diseases are surviving now because of vaccination and new treatments. However, the human mind has gone beyond the essential needs of treatment and tried new experiments till a new technology was created. Designer baby, a new finding that refers to changing the traits of babies by means of genetic engineering and biotechnology. This phenomenon allowed physicians to change the traits of infants as their parents want. At the present time, families can choose their baby’s hair color, skin color and eye color.
Each culture differs from the other cultures in the way it reacts with the new scientific discoveries and inventions, depending on it’s own values and beliefs. Some people think of embryo research as a solution to many medical diseases, and that’s true for the patients’ benefit. However, what about the fate of the embryos which the doctor used for research and then got rid of after? Sometimes doctors or patients’ families consider hiding the health information from the patient as an acceptable option for the patients’ own interest to avoid emotional harm. Although, what about the patients’ right to know their health conditions?
Scientists have successfully prolonged the lives of test subjects like flies, worms, and rodents. It is predicted that one day, this technology will be applicable for humans as well. Several methods of extending life include the use of caloric restriction, or genetic engineering. The key to achieving biological immortality lies in the aging process. Scientists have searched for the mechanisms responsible for aging, or the natural deterioration of the cells of our body, and have attempted to either stop these processes, or at least slow them down (Andrade 9).
This action can also be exerted on normal tissues; however, tumor tissues are more sensitive to radiation and cannot repair the damage as efficiently as does the normal tissue. They are destroyed so as to block the cell cycle. The radiotherapy equipment is a healthcare technology and therefore must comply with the regulation of medical devices for marketing. Radiotherapy is a treatment that has been used for a century and has evolved with scientific advances in physics, the Oncology and computers, improving the hardware and precision, quality and indication
Apart from this, newer tests can help people from cancer prone families know whether they have inhereted the disease and how they will respond to various treatments. Moreover, it is believed that within thirty years there will be a gene-based therapy for most diseases. This means that defective genes will be replaced by healthy ones, allowing to cure a wide range of disorders. However, genetic engineering will not only be used for necessary and good purposes. Human beings have shown that they have no limits to scientific research and there seems to be always one more step to follow.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging * ABRSTRACT * The following paper takes a look at the history of imaging and how it has gotten to where it is today. The paper also talks about the many applications MRI’s have served in the world, more specifically in the medical industry. It also follows how imaging will improve as technology advances through the years. The paper states the many positives that have come about from this discovery in the 1960’s. It also compares the MRI to the other types of imaging processes that are used in medical applications as well.
You can have all this by human genetic engineering, than doing ways like plastic surgery, diet, exercise etc. Maybe this is true, but designing people, we will create a society without diversity. Humans will have similar genetic makeup and in the future we might encounter an unknown form of disease or virus that can lead to human’s extinction. One of the main reasons that people agree with human genetic engineering is because it can make human lifespan longer. If genetic engineering would make human lifespan longer then this may lead to an increase population.