Describe two or more ethical issues arising from sequencing the genomes of individuals

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Most of the concerns that have been voiced about sequencing the genomes of individuals involve issues of privacy and confidentiality. Knowing your genetic makeup can have implications for your insurance companies, as well as your employers, if sequencing identifies a genetic predisposition to a serious disease. Similarly, you may find identification of a particular gene in an individual may have unintentional implications for family members who also have a high risk of having the same genetic mutations. Often, the genetic mutations represent a predisposition to a particular disease and are not necessarily 100% penetrant. Thus, simply having the genetic marker does not mean that you will always develop the disease or disorder since many genes are multi-factorial and often influenced by environmental factors as well. Knowing you have a predisposition to a disease may help you make healthier choices and avoid other known risk factors, but they may also create additional stress on the individual and a fatalistic attitude about developing the disease. So, the decision to sequence one's genome is an important decision and can have very different ramifications, depending on the individuals and what they do with this knowledge. Genetic counselors can help the individuals address these issues and make an educated decision about whether sequencing is the appropriate decision in their specific instance.