Chapter 12 Quiz
Chapter 12 – Quiz 12
2. Evaluate the arguments that were examined for and against future research in nanotechnology. Given the potential advantages and disadvantages of future development in this area, which side’s arguments do you find more convincing? Do the criteria provided by Weckert for when research in a particular area should and should not be allowed offer us any guidelines for research in nanotechnology? Which kinds of ethical guidelines need to be built into research and development in this field?
a. I find the argument for the future research in nanotechnology more convincing. The six utopian dream categories would provide more benefit to mankind, I think, than the six apocalyptic nightmares. I am sure similar threats to humanity already exist, and for many reasons the nightmare scenarios fail to play out. I think that a balance already exists that prevents many of the nightmare scenarios from occurring. For this reason, the arguments for future nanotechnology is more convincing. Additionally, nanotechnology could solve medical problems that have not been able to be resolved in the past. Nanotechnology is currently being used to deliver cancer treatments without toxic side effects.
b. The criteria provided by Weckert for when research in a particular area should or should not be allowed provides an adequate guideline for research in technology. Establishing a precautionary principle that provides that “if some action has a possibility of causing harm, then that action should not be undertaken or some measure should be put in its place to minimize or eliminate the potential harm”. Minimizing or eliminating harm should be considered even prior to the action.
c. Ethical guidelines including invasions of privacy and control and preventing any possibility of devastating harm to mankind would need to be built into research and development in this field.
References
Pietrangelo, Ann. Using Nanotechnology to Deliver Cancer Treatments Without Toxic Side Effects. 16 February 2016. <http://www.healthline.com/health-news/using-nanotechnology-to-deliver-cancer-treatments-without-toxic-side-effects-021616#1>.
3. (a) How has bioinformatics and computational genomics research introduced ethical concerns? (b) Identify and (c) Describe theoretical and practical connections linking the fields of computer science and genetics/genomics.
Bioinformatics and computational genomics research have introduced ethical concerns by combining the use of information with manipulating data in the area of genetics and providing rapid transmission of such information and data. Discrimination, stigmatization as well as genetic data ownership are some issues of concern. Guidelines have already been established regarding genomic research especially in relation to genetic testing. In fact, this was created over twenty years ago by a task force, and it established criteria
Theoretical and practical connections linking the fields of computer science and genetics/genomics include the shotgun method, data mining and use of information.
The shotgun method was a computerized technique that sped up the research of the human genome and allowed the sharing of the information. Data on personal information of individuals can be aggregated and cross referenced to find correlated genes and gene variations, this is called data mining. This data mining method also allows for a compilation of group profiles.
References
Buguliskis, Jeffrey S. Measuring the Utility of Genomic Medicine. 11 February 2016. <http://www.genengnews.com/insight-and-intelligence/measuring-the-utility-of-genomic-medicine/77900606/>.
