Comparative Genomics
Ethical Issues and Controversy
Genomics in a nutshell is the study of the genetic code that makes up all living organisms and how it affects the world. This is a very new study and much research has gone into the practice but research alone is not enough to fully understand the complications that can arise inside and outside of the lab. Many ethical, social, and legal issues plague the study and its purposes and it is necessary to understand each point of view to properly learn each side of the vast study of genomics.
MISUSE OF GENETIC INFORMATION
When the practice of genomics was introduced into the world and people began to see it was getting easier and easier to code an organism’s genes, people also began to wonder if, when their code was sequenced, they would be subject to genetic discrimination. Genetic discrimination is a discrimination of any person from insurance plans due to their genetic code and any abnormalities seen within their genes. This was addressed with a new law passed in 2008, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 which ensured that no insurance provider can discriminate against any client due to his or her genetic code. It also ensured that no employer can make employment decisions such as hiring, firing, payment changing, job assigning, or promotions due to one’s genetic code.
HEALTH AND RELIGIOUS ISSUES
The most popular issue that is common throughout all of biotechnological studies is the issue of the health of the population and religious opposition. A notable portion of the world believes that the manipulation of a person’s genes is changing what was made perfect naturally and will create problems later with deeper research. Issues on eugenics, the study and implication of ideal genes, have also risen due to the study having been used as an excuse in the past for heavy racism. Religious conflict also emerges when considering the engineering of genetic code. Many religious figure believe that altering God's creation will bring catastrophic repercussions. The repercussions of this and all other possible problems of all genetic studies are being looked into and you can research further into these controversial issues with the The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research Program at http://www.genome.gov/elsi/ and make your own decisions on the issues at hand.
