The Bioethics Debate

Kristi Ellis Mrs. Scheidt English 1301. 174 11 October 2012 Paper 2 The Bioethics Debate In Patenting Life, by Michael Crichton, and Bioethics and the Stem electric cell Research Debate, by Robyn S. Shapiro, they discuss gene patenting, medicine, chemical group cell search, and the virtues of bioethics. According to Crichton and Shapiro, humanss atomic number 18 all born with genes, stem cells, and organs that atomic number 18 part of our intrinsic world, yet when the law tries to set limits on these rights it becomes wrong. Crichton and Shapiro some(prenominal) agree close the controversial issues surrounding acquirement and medicine.They both point come forth the wrong issues, the innovation in medicine, and the impingement on science and medicine in relation to the law. In both essays Crichton and Shapiro list many another(prenominal) immoralities that arise out of bioethical issues. For instance, Crichton refers to an example of the Canavan disease in which the p rocess to find a bring back was halted due to gene patenting. It was a prime example of an issue that was wrong because the owner of the gene for the disease could choose whether or not to dart for a test and choose how much to charge for it, which blocks medical innovations.Crichton verbalises, in that respect is no cleargonr indication that gene patents block innovation, inhibit research and put us all at risk (432). Crichton goes on to say that genes are part of humans naturally and should not be privately own (431). In comparison, Shapiro explains although embryotic stem cells give promise to the medical field, many ethical issues surround it such as the destruction of the embryo. Shapiro also writes that those who patronize embryologic stem cell research believe the embryo is already a human being with rights from conception, while others believe that human rights do not exist prior to birth (435).Additionally, medical advancement is minute for innovation in both essay s. Crichton states that gene patenting prevents medical exam and slows medical advancement. Not only does it halt research, but it causes the costs of medical testing to rise because the owner can charge whatever he wants (431). He mentions doctors cannot get information on if a medication will or will not work on someone because the lack of case tests. Crichton says For years weve been promised the coming era of personalized medicine medicine desirable to our particular body makeup.Gene patents destroy that dream (432). In contrast, Shapiro states that stem cells are important to the medical field because they can turn into a commodious array of cell types that can help people with diseases such as diabetes, nervous system diseases, and Parkinsons disease (434-35). In addition, he says stem cell research could provide important information on how human organs and tissues develop, which could lead to development of new medications (435). In both sources, the law plays a world- shaking role in the unethical issues surrounding science and medicine.Crichton mentions how the United States Patent Office issued gene patents by mistake because of misinterpreted controlling accost rulings. The issue of gene patents make it hard for people to present their genes because most of the genes are privately owned (431). Crichton states that two congressman sponsored the genomic research and Accessibility Act, a bill that would ban patenting genes in nature (432). Shapiro denotes the evolution importance of the law surrounding bioethical issues. He cites the United States Supreme Court cases of Roe v.Wade and Stenberg v. Carkart which dealt with a partial birth abortion law. Shapiro states, In state courts, bioethical considerations inform judges balancing of patient healthcare confidentiality with a tariff to warn of potentially dangerous patient behavior (433). The most significant law Shapiro cites is the Dickey Amendment which prohibits federal funding for embry o research (436). Shapiro mentions in addition to federal funding restrictions, many states have laws that limit embryonic stem cell research.Lastly, he cites the eligibility of federal patent protections significantly, the Thomson Patents (437). In conclusion, both Crichton and Shapiro can conclude the topics of gene patenting and embryonic stem cell research are unethical in some way. Although gene patenting blocks innovation and embryonic stem cell research promotes it, they both have laws that limit the impact on the world of science and medicine. According to Shapiro, As these issues have travel to the center of public debate, the law has assumed an increasingly important score in the discipline of bioethics (433).Thus, when the law puts limits on human genetics it becomes unethical and immoral according to both essays in this bioethical debate. WORD COUNT 740 whole kit and boodle Cited Crichton, Michael. Patenting Life. Perspectives on Contemporary Issues Readings Across the Disciplines. 6th ed. Ed. Katherine Anne Ackley. Boston Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2012. 431-432. Print. Shapiro, S. Robyn. Bioethics and the Stem Cell Research Debate. Perspectives on Contemporary Issues Readings Across the Disciplines. 6th ed. Ed. Katherine Anne Ackley. Boston Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2012. 433-438. Print.