Controlling Life From The Moment Of Conception-

U.S. Government, Genetics and Artificial Reproduction

 

Chandler Fulton   Government   Dr. Nicholson    January 2000

Explanation:

At the turn of a new millennium, one topic is creeping into the daily life of the people of America.  That topic is often referred to as the “Genetic Revolution.”  People are both intrigued and terrified by the possibilities that the fields of Genetics and Artificial Reproduction hold.  Laws are being made to control the research done in American laboratories as scientists worldwide are searching for funds and locations that will enable them to crack the genetic code. 

 

There are many different types of experiments being done with genetics, from experiments that will hopefully lead to healthier food to experiments that will ultimately lead to the cloning of human beings.  The Human Genome Project has already accomplished the complete sequencing of one of the 46 chromosomes in the human genome, linking parts of this chromosome to diseases like Schizophrenia and other parts to diseases that can be found in the liver and kidneys.  Almost every American is interested in Genetics in some way or another, whether because the bioethical issues that it brings up are fascinating, or because they hope that research in this field will yield the cures to almost all genetic ailments, specifically diseases like cancer or sickle cell anemia. 

 

This portfolio is a collection of articles that explain topics in genetics as various as the laws made regarding research to the advances made in research.  There is also a brief overview of modern types of artificial reproduction as well as a section on Bioethics.

 

Contents

Part 1: Reproductive Technology and the Law

Part 2: Current Research in the Field of Human Genetics

Part 3: Cloning Research

Part 4: Genetics and Bioethics 

 

 

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Articles:

 

Part 1

 

*  “Auction Begins for Models’ Eggs” 

Model Egg Auction allows parents to choose their child’s genes.  Parents who are willing to pay the price can use in-vitro fertilization to conceive their child using genes that are likely to produce a handsome baby. http://www.msnbc.com/msn/326920.asp

*   “Special delivery:  Science is perfecting a way to select the sex of your next child.”   By isolating "male" and "female" sperm and inseminating with one or the other, the technology has helped couples conceive the baby of their preferred sex 65-90% of the time.      http://www.usaweekend.com/99_issues/990516/990516baby.html

*  State Infertility laws

      Examples of laws created to handle reproductive technology in the United States

      http://www.asrm.org/patient/insur.html

 

*  Buzzanca v. Buzzanca: The Ruling and Ramifications
by Andrew W. Vorzimer, Esq.; Milena D. O'Hara, Esq.; Lori D. Shafton, Esq.California Appeals Court reverses "No Parents" decision in surrogacy case

      http://www.inciid.org/buzzanca-case.html

* SURROGACY IS ONE ANSWER -- ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY IS THE OTHER.                                      Infertile couples often consult with lawyers about an adoption, or sometimes about a surrogacy arrangement.  Many of these couples, however, can conceive their own genetic child, or a child who is genetically related to one of them, so it is incumbent on the lawyer who is advising this couple to know of the advances in the field of reproductive technology. http://www.aaml.org/ART.htm

Part 2:

*   Georgetown University’s Scopenotes:                                                                                                                          An explanation of the Human Genome Project followed by a list of books that can be used when researching all aspects of Genetic Biology.                                                                    http://www.georgetown.edu/research/nrcbl/scopenotes/sn17.htm

*   The Humane Genome Projects 5-year Progress Report:  Understanding Our Genetic Inheritance:                                    The Human Genome Initiative is a worldwide research effort that has the goal of analyzing the structure of human DNA and determining the location of the estimated 100,000 human genes. In parallel with this effort the DNA of a set of model organisms will be studied to provide the comparative information necessary for understanding the functioning of the human genome. The information generated by the human genome project is expected to be the source book for biomedical science in the 21st century and will be of immense benefit to the field of medicine. It will help us to understand and eventually treat many of the more than 4000 genetic diseases that afflict mankind, as well as the many multifactorial diseases in which genetic predisposition plays an important role.                                                                           http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/HGP/HGP_goals/5yrplan.html

*   U.S. Legislator Connie Mack Recognized for Supporting the Human Genome Project                                                         Legislator Connie Mack is recognized for supporting research of hemochromotosis through funding for the Human Genome project.  Hemochromotosis is on of the most deadly genetic flaws reseached through the Human Genome Project.  http://www.emi.net/~iron_iod/io0v000.html

*   Gene Hunting Criticized by U.S. Research Council                                                                                                      Although the scientific community is becoming more aware of indigenous peoples' concerns over the collection and potential patenting of human genes, recent developments in the United States suggest that the pressures on indigenous communities to participate in such studies are actually likely to increase, at least in the immediate future.                                                         http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/News99/0299/NAJ990203GeneHunting.htm

*   Genetic Researchers Receive Research Grant:                                                                                                                                             Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory recently received a $533,128 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help expand the Laboratory's rapidly growing repository for experimental models of major human diseases.   http://wwwjax.org/pubinfo/media/releases/imrnih.html

Part 3:

*   A History of Cloning:                                                                                                                                                   A timeline describing the progress of cloning through the ages.                http://archive.msnbc.com/modules/cloning/timeline.asp

*   Dolly has triplets:                                                                                                                                                  Dolly the sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, has given birth to healthy triplets conceived the old-                      fashioned way, scientists said Thursday.                                                                    http://www.msnbc.com/news/255308.asp

*   Scientists produce six genetically identical calves:                                                                                                    Using cloning techniques similar to those that created the sheep Dolly, researchers have produced six genetically identical calves in an important step toward building herds of “designer” cattle. The research proves that it will be possible economically to produce cows that give human milk or make drugs, or even to create pigs that grow human organs. http://www.msnbc.com/news/167507.asp

*  More efficient Cloning method developed in Japan:                                                                                                   Using cloning techniques similar to those used to create Dolly the sheep, Japanese researchers have produced eight genetically identical calves from the cells of one adult cow. With a success rate of 80 percent, the technique is among the most efficient methods reported to date — an important step toward building herds of designer cattle for meat and milk, the scientists said.  http://www.msnbc.com/news/221799.asp

*  Human Cell and Cow Egg Are Fused:                                                                                                           Controversial method could lead to reproduction of spare body parts for people.          http://www.msnbc.com/news/214299.asp

*  The Genetic Revolution by Dr. Patrick Dixon:  A “cutting edge” look at the reality of cloning.    This site presents the current technology of cloning as being scandalous and something about which one should be very aware and very afraid.      http://www.globalchange.com/clonech.htm

Part 4:

*  Ethical, Legal and Social Issues(ELSI):                                                                                                                      The ELSI Program was established in 1990 by the architects of the Human Genome Project to anticipate and address the ethical, legal and social issues that arise as the result of human genetic research.                              http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/ELSI/

*  Clinton Forbids Funding of Studies of Human Cloning                                                                                             President Clinton warns against “playing God” and asks scientists to halt cloning research until a national bioethics commission can review what they deem to be a troubling issue.                                                http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/science/cloning/stories/clinton.htm

*  Forbidden Knowledge: A Discussion of the Federal Ban on Human Cloning                                                                 Congress passed a law banning federal human embryo research after a National Institutes of Health ethics panel drafted guidelines that would have allowed limited embryonic research. What was objectionable about the NIH guidelines that Congress decided to step in?                                                   http://www.pbs.org/newshour/forum/march97/embryo5.html

*  National Bioethics Commission:                                                                                                                    Government publications on many bioethical issues with several links to studies and reports regarding cloning. 
 http://www.bioethics.gov/pubshtml

*  Don’t Be Quick to Ban Cloning Scientists Say                                                                                                               An international panel of scientists describes the problems that hinder scientific investigation and why the government shouldn’t interfere with research in the area of Genetics.
 http://www.d-b.net/dti/970626aaas.txt

*  Missouri Senator Gives His Stand on the Cloning Issue                                                                                               John Ashcroft’s campaign platform with regards to the funding of genetic research and the future of human cloning.  http://www.senate.gov/~ashcroft/cloning.htm

*  Congressman Ed Bryant’s View on Why We Should Ban Cloning.                                                                                   Ed Bryant’s platform regarding the future of cloning research.                            http://www.house.gov/bryant/co011398.htm

*  Humanity and the Cloning Question: Comparing and Contrasting Arguments                       http://www.amsa.org/sc/bio/clone.html