Hernani, Jucelyn B.

BSMT-3E

1. Do you believe that research and development of transgenic plants and animals should be halted? Why or why not? Plants have been modified for many reasons over the years but the most common purpose is to produce the best products possible. A transgenic crop contains one or more genes that have been inserted artificially either from an unrelated plant or from different species altogether. I do believe that research and development should be encouraged to be able to know the pros and cons regarding the production of transgenic crops. Transgenic plants and animals require extensive research on determining the true safety of these plants and animals and decide if it is safe for both the environment and people who consume these products. 2. Do you instead approve of regulating the use of transgenic plans? Why or why not? Being able to retrofit any crop to our desires is a powerful concept, especially with the changing climates of today. Most would agree that the potential advantage of producing crops that provide the human population with more and cheaper food makes transgenic technology a useful invention. Improving resistance to these diseases and insects also reduces the need for herbicides and pesticides. This makes the plants safer for the consumer and allows the farmer to save money on chemicals. Transgenic crops are an economically safer method of producing crop products, which makes them appealing and potentially profitable. 3. Should people who find homogenic plant can be safe still? Support legislation to regulate this, why or why not? Concern about what affect genetically modified material could have on human health. For example, transgenic crops have been suggested to cause allergies in some people, although it is uncertain whether transgenic crops are the source of this reaction [3]. Furthermore the antibiotic resistance genes placed in these crops has been suggested to cause resistance to antibiotics leading to super bugs that cannot be killed with antibiotic treatments 4. Should people be encouraged or even develop programs to have their genes analysed so that they can develop programs to possibly prevent future disease?

I would agree for this one. People should be encouraged to have their genes analysed so they can seek medication if indicates abnormalities or other disease. It gives appropriate recommendations in the field of early prevention and appropriate action, to reduce the risk of developing a disease. This is especially important for those of us who are more exposed because of our genetic makeup. Genetic analysis may be done to identify genetic/inherited disorders and also to make a differential diagnosis in certain somatic diseases such as cancer. Genetic analyses of cancer include detection of mutations, fusion genes, and DNA copy number changes.

5. How can we balance individual rights with the public health benefits of matching genetic profile to harmful/detrimental environment? It is part of the doctors ethical responsibilities to include balancing the privacy and confidentiality of the individual and prevention of harm to others (the duty of care). The individual tested also has family responsibilities and obligations including dissemination of genetic test results within the family to enable informed decision-making by their at-risk relatives. While in some cases, genetic tests provide reliable and accurate information on which people can make decisions, in other cases it may not be possible to obtain a definitive result. An individual is much more than the sum of their genes: the individuals environment can modify the expression of genetic messages to the body and many factors are not genetic that make an individual who they are.