ethical concerns: genetics

aim of genetic research

identify particular genes involved in human behavior

why can genetic research be problematic for people?

• stigmatizing information released to important authority

• undue stress or harm to particpants

• self-fufiling prophecy

• genetic determinism

how can genetic research be ethical?

• participants should know how and what will happen to research

• informed consent in plain, understandable language that tells you what could go wrong

• coding information by assigning a code and only a small number of researchers having access

• fully anonymizing the sample, where researchers cannot link samples or info to particular people and ensures confidentiality from insurance companies, employers, police

limit of anonymization

limits scientific value of the study as it prevents follow up

explain the results of the participants of Wilhem et al (2009)

• felt most important benefits of genetic research was early intervention, potential to prevent onset of depression, helped people avoid stressors that led to onset of depression

• felt important limitations of genetic research was it could lead to insurance discrimination, employer discrimination, undue stress

• regardless of which variation they got, all of them have more positive feelings (even tho those with the mutations had more distress)

what are the limits of Wilhem et al

• sample had mean age of 50 and many had already suffered from depression in life or had little chance of starting late in life

• sample was highly educated

• sample was only of people who agreed to be in study

how could Wilhem et al been improved

prospective study of the participants before they were ever diagnosed with depression

limits of genetic research in children

• change parent child relationship

  • parents become overprotective

  • parents disengage from child

self-fufilling prophecy

when a person unknowingly causes a prediction to come true, due to the simple fact that he or she expects it to come true

genetic determinism

genetic makeup is not destiny and that counseling can help people understand that they can take specific actions to prevent development