6.1.7 - Inherited Disorders

What is an inherited disorder?

A disorder caused by the inheritance of certain alleles.

Give 2 examples of inherited disorders.

• Polydactyly (having extra fingers or toes) - caused by a dominant allele.

• Cystic fibrosis (a disorder of cell membranes) - caused by recessive allele.

How are embryos screened for inherited disorders?

• During IVF, one cell is removed (from an 8 cell embryo) and tested for disorder-causing alleles.

• If the cell doesn’t have any indicator alleles, then the originating embryo is implanted into the uterus.

What are the ethical issues concerning embryo screening?

• It could lead to beliefs in society that being disabled or having a disorder is less human or associated with inferiority.

• The destruction of embryos with inherited disorders is seen by some as murder as these would go on to become human beings.

• It could be viewed as part of the concept of designer babies as it may be for the parents convenience or wishes rather than child’s wellbeing.

What are the economic issues concerning embryo screening?

Costs of hospital treatment and medication will need to be considered if it is known that a child will have an inherited disorder and financial support explored if necessary.

What are the social issues concerning embryo screening?

• Social care for children with inherited disorders may need to be considered if parents are unable to provide care.

• If an embryo is found to have an inherited disorder and is terminated, this can prevent a child and its parents from potential suffering in the future due to the disorder.

What is gene therapy?

The insertion of a normal allele into the cells of a person with an inherited disorder to functionally replace the faulty allele.

What are the ethical issues concerning gene therapy?

• Some people believe that it’s going against and “playing God”.

• The introduced genes could enter sex cells and so be passed to future generations.