The Dawn of Genetic Testing

Rachel Wilson

Stance

• Prenatal genetic testing has the potential to create a eugenic society, and should be used with care and objectivity.

Eugenics

Measures intended to improve the qualities of a human population by control of inherited characteristics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48-hnujqpoA&feature=fvst

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP1cCjBkWZU&feature=related

Ancient Eugenics

• 800 B.C.- The Spartan culture inspected each newborn to determine if they would be of value to society.

• By the start of the first millennium, only 1,000 adult Spartan males remained.

Modern Eugenics

• 1798- Rise of Malthusianism• 1800’s- “Idiot asylums” appear in the U.S.• 1883- Francis Galton• 1899- Dr. Harry Sharp• 1907- Involuntary sterilization legalized in

Indiana• 1924- Immigration Restriction Act

Modern Eugenics

• 1927- Buck v. Bell• 1945- End of WWII, as many as six million

people had been killed as a result of Hitler’s Final Solution.

• 1985- South Carolina is the last state to repeal its sterilization laws

• 1989- Human Genome Project

Beginnings of Genetics

• 1866- Mendel• 1953- Structure of DNA discovered

Prenatal Genetic Testing

• Any number of screening and diagnostic tests that can be done during pregnancy in order to detect genetic disorders .

• Least invasive• 1st Trimester: CVS and first trimester screen• 2nd Trimester: Amniocentesis, cordocentesis,

quad screen• 3rd Trimester: BPP and non-stress test

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis• An assisted reproductive technology that allows

an embryo to be tested for genetic abnormalities and is used in conjunction with IVF treatments so that the healthiest embryos can be selected for implantation.

• Uses: identify disease, identify chromosomal abnormalities, identify pre-dispositions for late onset diseases (controversial), Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching

Genetics, Prenatal Testing, and PGD

• 1790- First case of artificial insemination• 1884- First successful sperm donation• 1954- First legal case heard in Illinois• 1961- PKU• 1978- Louise Brown is born• 1983- Huntington’s• 1990- PGD used for the first time

Normal IVF ProcessIVF process interrupted for PGD

•Achondroplasia•Adenosine deaminase deficiency•Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency•Alzheimer's disease (AAP gene)•Beta thalasemia•Cystic fibrosis•Epidermolysis bullosa•Fanconi anemia•Gaucher's disease•Hemophilia A and B•Huntington's disease•Muscular dystrophy (Duchenne and Becker)•Myotonic dystrophy•Neurofibromatosis type I•OTC deficiency•P53 cancers•Phenylketonuria•Retinitis pigmentosa•Sickle cell disease•Spinal muscular atrophy•Tay Sachs disease•Any genetically abnormal embryos (i.e. Trisomy 21, 13.)

Other Concerns

• Affect on abortion• Abortion rates in China• Financials• Use for detecting late-onset diseases• Religious and ethical concerns• Lack of legal cases

Future

• Too personal, objectivity is difficult• The laws and society need to catch up