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Where and how should society integrate genetic information? The following vignettes will provide an opportunity for students to explore this question in a variety of settings. They are designed to elicit an open-ended discussion among students. There are no right or wrong answers to ethical issues and each student’s feelings must be considered in a broad context. It is imperative for the discussion leader to dissuade students from the concept of genetic determinism. Human beings are complex systems and many factors play a role in our susceptibilities to disease and behaviors. Genetic determinism denies complexity of the system as well as the influence of personal, social, and environmental interactions. Some potentially sensitive issues are addressed (e.g., loss of a parent, the death penalty, discrimination, diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer’s, etc.). Discussion leaders should look out for students that may find these discussions sad or embarrassing.
Some specific guidance:
- Students should focus on the reasons justifying a position, not on personal arguments.
- All reasons should count as good reasons for everyone, not just for a few.
- Religious beliefs and other moral viewpoints are valid, but should be expressed in terms that are important to everyone.
- In deciding if a reason is a good one, students should think about the consequences of an action on different people and whether the right of individuals are upheld or violated.
- When some rights conflict with other rights, people have to balance which right is more important and which consequence is worse.
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