RJA 13b

Ideas for visual aids:

1)  A timeline:  I would like to use something of a timeline to show the major advances in genetics and genomics over the last century

2)  Before and after photos of both, genetic engineering gone right, and wrong.

3)  Pictures detailing how some of the currently-utilized genetic processes work in medicine

4)  Photos of genetic diseases and/or their pattern(s)

5)  Graphs and charts
       a)  Current medicines and their side effects
       b)  Where research funds are currently going in medicine

RJA 13a

References

DeSalle, R., & Yudell, M. (2005). Welcome to the genome: a user's guide to the genetic past, present, and future. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Liss.

Genetic engineering and technology reaches outside the medical field and back into it when it comes to topics such as genetically modified food.  This book goes into the genetic revolution, and explains the changes we are to expect as time goes on.

Genetic Engineering. (2012, March 6). Medical Discoveries. Retrieved April 24, 2012, from http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/Enz-Ho/Genetic-Engineering.html#b

This site serves as an extensive resource for a variety of different discoveries made in the medical field.  The articles are short, concise, and meant for the layman, and explain the processes in relative detail.

Journal of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. (n.d.). Genetics in Medicine. Nature Publishing Group : science journals, jobs, and information. Retrieved February 28, 2012, from http://www.nature.com/gim/index.html

This site provides a wealth of scholarly articles specifically related to genetics in medicine.  I've found that several articles are above my level of understanding, but there are a handful which can be deciphered and provide exhaustive amounts of information.

Vandenbusche, L. M. (2008, June 18). Medscape: Medscape Access. Medscape news. Retrieved March 27, 2012, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/575481

This article goes in depth about current genetic screening and the challenges it faces.  The primary point of discussion is the importance of family history in genetic screening and research.

RJA 12b

I plan on using some of the same sources as my background essay for the argumentative one; they were extremely informative and thorough, and provide much more than I could contain in the background essay.  As such, these are the same sources as listed in RJA 12a, but annotated. Works Cited Emery, Jon. "The challenge of integrating genetic medicine into primary care." BMJ 322.1027 (2001): n.pag. BMJ Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/322/7293/1027.short>. One of the discussions of my argumentative essay revolves around the challenges that doctors and medical practitioners face, and how difficult it might be to integrate something new that challenges how even the most minute of day-to-day tasks are done.  This article provides a wealth of information regarding genetic procedures that have already integrated, and some challenges that might be over the horizon. Juengst, Eric T. "Can Enhancement Be Distinguished from Prevention in Genetic Medicine?." Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 22.2 (1997): 125-142. Oxford Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://jmp.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/2/125.full.pdf+html>. A huge aspect of the ethical debate with genetic medicine revolves around whether it will be used to fix problems that were caused by choice versus those caused by disease.  This article goes into some of the challenges that go into this process, a big part of it being the ability to distinguish enhancement from prevention. US Department of Energy Genome Programs. "Medicine and the New Genetics." Human Genome Project Information. National Institutes of Health, 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://genomics.energy.gov>. The Human Genome Project has been the kick-off point for much of this research, and no one has it better documented and explained than our very own government.  This resource is broad and encompasses various aspects of genetic medicine; the legal and ethical point, to the research that lies ahead, to the achievements and challenges faced by doctors and scientists.

RJA 12a

Works Cited Emery, Jon. "The challenge of integrating genetic medicine into primary care." BMJ 322.1027 (2001): n.pag. BMJ Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/322/7293/1027.short>. Juengst, Eric T. "Can Enhancement Be Distinguished from Prevention in Genetic Medicine?." Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 22.2 (1997): 125-142. Oxford Journals. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://jmp.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/2/125.full.pdf+html>. US Department of Energy Genome Programs. "Medicine and the New Genetics." Human Genome Project Information. National Institutes of Health, 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://genomics.energy.gov>.

RJA 11

What is the current impact of genetic discovery, and where could it lead us?

1)     Research has already provided us ways to diagnose and potentially treat many diseases, such as certain forms of childhood leukemia, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (X-SCID), and many others (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml)

a.      Overpopulation and rapid resource usage are running rampant; helping people live longer is making it more difficult for everyone to live a good life

b.     Playing with the building blocks of what makes us, “us,” is bound to have consequences – not letting life run its course the way it was intended could create a problem on some yet-unknown scale

2)     There is the potential of organ replication using only a small sample of cells; imagine being able to have a spare heart in case yours stops.  In addition, genes are common among all organisms, and unlocking them could give us the answers to questions like, "how are trees able to process carbon monoxide and turn it into oxygen?" -- answers that could help provide solutions for other issues such as sustainable energy

a.      At what point is an ethical boundary crossed?  If someone has a heart condition from birth, it’s possible that a healthy heart could be grown for them from their own cells.  On the other hand, a 2-pack-a-day smoker could have a healthy heart grown too.  Does money make a difference, i.e. would the smoker get ahead in line because he or she was wealthier and could afford better insurance?  Would insurance costs skyrocket?  At what point would accountability be put on the patients?

b.     While the idea of genetics influencing the growth of sustainable energy isn’t terribly far-fetched, the question remains:  how can this knowledge get utilized?  Learning how a tree can recycle carbon-dioxide into oxygen is fantastic, but how does that help us replicate the process when clear-cutting is so prominent throughout the world?

3)     People are constantly hungry for knowledge, and this is one of the few areas outside of deep space and deep marine which are still open for exploration.  The cartographers of today are genetic scientists, mapping out the millions of routes and channels that make "us."

a.      This research goes into previously uncharted territory.  The questions being asked and the potential answers that lie over the horizon are not something we’re prepared for.  All outcomes cannot be planned, and as with the Internet, governing for all new technologies is a trial-and-error process; one that cannot be afforded given the value of the information at hand.

b.     The inevitable question of stem-cells will divide people – these are the “holy grail” of genetic research: a cell that can turn into anything it’s put next to.  Imagine a cell that could replicate a cancerous cell, so we could study cancer in a way that’s never been done; a cell that, put next to a severed spinal cord, could regenerate it; a cell that could re-create neurons so even those in the most aggressive states of catatonia could be revived.  Unfortunately, the only known sources of stem-cells are unborn fetuses.  The debate of when a fetus is actually considered a living being rages on, with many staunch supporters on one side or the other, and a few riding the fence.

RJA 10c

1)  The privacy of genetic information is important and unless shored up, could be left open to exploitation
2)  The promise of "solving any problem" could give people reason to act however they like without consequence
3)  The cost and effort of integration of a completely new mindset in an industry inundated with red tape, and one which is incredibly difficult to audit, would outweigh any benefits.

RJA 10b

1)   Research has already provided us ways to diagnose and potentially treat many diseases, such as certain forms of childhood leukemia, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (X-SCID), and many others (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml)
2)  Genes are common among all organisms, and unlocking them could give us the answers to questions like, "how are trees able to process carbon monoxide and turn it into oxygen?" -- answers that could help provide solutions for other issues such as sustainable energy
3)  Genetic disorders, especially those that are unavoidable, could be treated and diagnosed before birth
4)  People are constantly hungry for knowledge, and this is one of the few areas outside of deep space and deep marine which are still open for exploration.  The cartographers of today are genetic scientists, mapping out the millions of routes and channels that make "us."
5)  There is the potential of organ replication using only a small sample of cells; imagine being able to have a spare heart in case yours stops... the possibilities are endless!

RJA 10a

What is the current impact of genetic discovery, and where could it lead us?

Although much of the progressive research is still highly controversial and theoretical, current applications of genomics already assist us in a variety of preventative diagnoses (certain cancers, cystic fibrosis, Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, and many more).  Although there are plenty of questions to be asked regarding the exponential growth of genomics, the fact that it can provide us previously unfathomable insight into nature is reason enough to pursue the research.