A Deadly Inheritance ■ 153(b) Genetics and Public Policy Group. You will present data on
the beliefs of the American public in this matter. You will
also present the status of current legislation in the
United States and how it compares to PGD legislation
internationally. You will propose limited legislation based on
these findings.(c) Parents of Down Syndrome Children. You will argue that
people with disabilities already suffer from prejudice, and
that widespread use of such testing will cause even more
prejudice. You will propose legislation prohibiting PGD for
almost all conditions, with the exception of deadly,
infant-onset disease.(d) Americans with Cystic Fibrosis. You will present the case of
a couple, both of whom are carriers for CF, and discuss their
options. You will propose limited legislation that disallows PGD
for sex selection and nondisease conditions.(^15) What do you think? Gattaca, a science fiction movie from
1997, is based in a future in which preimplantation genetic
diagnosis (PGD) is used to create genetically superior children,
and social status is determined mainly by one’s DNA. Watch
the movie and take careful notes as you observe how PGD has
been misused by society. Do you think these outcomes are
likely, if we continue to develop PGD? Are the benefits worth
this risk?
(^16) Life choices While you cannot control the genes that you
inherited from your parents, you can control your exposure to
external factors that increase your chances of developing a
disease that is only partially genetically determined. For this
assignment, you will estimate your life expectancy, as determined
mainly from your lifestyle choices. Go to the “Living to 100”
website (http://www.livingto100.com) and complete the Life
Expectancy Calculator. Answer all questions honestly (no one will
see your answers), and go to the “feedback” page at the end of
the questionnaire. Take notes so that you can answer the following
questions.
a. What is your calculated life expectancy, given the answers you
gave?
b. List the recommendations to increase your life expectancy,
and how much they could increase your life span.
c. What change would increase your life span the most?
d. Identify one way that you could feasibly increase your life span.
Will you do that? Why or why not?
E D q M
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