Cystic Fibrosis In Society

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Cystic Fibrosis in Society Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a human genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestine. CF is recessive disorder, and therefore the condition only occurs when both parents carry the allele and both pass it on to their offspring (odds of ¼). One in 25 New Zealanders carry the CF allele and one in 2000 people suffer from cystic fibrosis. CF is caused by a mutation in the gene for the protein cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR regulates the secretion of chloride and sodium ions inside and out of the body. Poor regulation in CF sufferers results in excessive sweat, digestive fluid and mucus. Bacteria that normally inhabit the mucus of the lungs grow out of control causing…show more content…
Opinions in society differ over whether there should be any genetic manipulation of humans. Some people believe curing diseases such as cystic fibrosis and other genetically disabling diseases should be considered ethical and acceptable, but advancing human intelligence, strength and personal characteristics is not. Others believe that genetic manipulation of humans of any form is unethical and therefore should not be done while others believe it is advantageous and advancements should be pursued. One of the main reasons people are opposed to genetic manipulation of human beings is because it could go wrong. It is very hard to determine all the potential effects of gene therapy. It could result in death or new diseases which have larger effects on the patients or put others at risk. For CF genetic manipulation and cure to be socially acceptable there needs to be equal access for all sections of society. That is treatment should be affordable for everybody. Otherwise it could lead to social issues between humans that have been “engineered” to outperform others humans without any

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