Class 12 Biology: Biotech Innovations And Ethical Issues

The units of genetics, biotechnology, and reproduction from Class 12 Biology, include the topics of genetic testing, cloning, and abortion respectively. Advances in biotechnology and other related fields have been unlocking new levels of facilities, inventions, and ideologies. Researchers and scientists are experimenting continuously to discover new solutions for the environment and mankind. From commercial use of microbes for growing better crops to disease treatment, drug discovery, vaccinations, and more. The process of disease identification via different bodily samples, the invention of machines for treatment, and more revolutionised society’s health.

Similar to these medical discoveries, more advanced technologies like genetic testing, cloning, sex-determination during pregnancy, abortion, and more have been introduced with clear and positive intentions. However, their misuse has created some problems. We’ll discuss the problems and ethical issues elaborately and consecutively in the coming sections.

Insight On Cloning, Genetic Testing And Abortion

Sex-Determination and Abortion
By testing the amniotic fluid and conducting ultrasounds, the sex of the baby can be determined. This is an advanced process that lets the parents know the gender of the baby. However, this technique soon turned negative and led to increased female foeticide .

Abortion is the termination of pregnancy using medical procedures. It is essential in certain situations, like when it imposes risks to the baby or mother, or when there are other medical complications related to the pregnancy. However, this medical procedure has been misused, which has raised questions regarding its ethics.

Genetic Testing
Genetic testing, or the assessment of the DNA of an individual, helps to resolve many issues. It is an advanced technique with useful applications in fields like forensics, medicine, drug discoveries, diagnosis, transplants, and many more. The genes are identified in this testing, which enable us to know the genetic sequence, presence or absence of mutated or diseased genes, chromosomal abnormalities, and more.

Since the gene arrangements of the DNA are known, this test can help to compare the DNAs of two organisms and therefore help to resolve criminal and paternity issues. Prenatal genetic testing is one more application. However, this test raises ethical issues due to invasion of privacy, misuse of genetic information, and more.

Cloning
As the name implies, this is a technique to produce clones or replicas of existing cells, tissues, or living beings. The genetic makeup of the original organism or tissue is studied, and a clone having the same genetic information is produced. The originals and clones are identical due to the same genetic makeup.

Cloning emerged as a promising approach to finding solutions for certain diseases. New cells can be made from the stem cell; information about extinct species can be saved; diseases affecting particular cells can be reduced; and many more.

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Ethical Issues Arising Due To Innovation In Healthcare

How did misuse of medical and technological innovations give rise to ethical issues? Some processes in medicine and healthcare have been causing arguments that these practices are unethical. They raise serious issues regarding legal, social, ethical, and other aspects and have dangerous implications for the patients. Let’s understand the ethical issues associated with a few healthcare processes.

Abortion

As per societal principles and ethics, everyone has a right to live, and thus abortion or termination of pregnancy is not supported by all.

• Abortion can also be forced on a woman for the desire of a male child. As per several media reports as well as extensive research done by scholars, some women may have to undergo six to seven abortions until a son is born. This drastically affects women’s health.
• The family, especially the husband, is an equal parent, but he may not be ready for unplanned pregnancies, which also may lead to a forced abortion.
• Unprotected intercourse, forced intercourses, or casual intercourses between teens can result in unplanned pregnancies, consequently leading to abortion.

All of this impacts the woman’s health, mentally and physically. Abortion is not a simple process and can impose risks on women. Therefore, strict rules regarding the process have been implemented to avoid unethical practices.

Genetic Testing

This technology triggers many ethical issues due to the information it provides about a person’s genetics. The genetics, or DNA of the person, contain all the information about them and hence must be confidential. But knowing the genotype and diseases associated with it (if any) causes discriminatory behaviour against the person. They face problems with job selection, insurance companies, societal pressure, and more.

A person can lose their rights over many things or even their normal life if their genotype privacy is invaded. Prenatal testing resulting in sex-selective abortion is also an ethical issue in genetic testing. In worst-case scenarios, carelessness during the genetic testing may harm the person, leading to genetic diseases.

Cloning

Though cloning has huge benefits in producing replicas of healthy cells and inserting them into organisms to replace diseased cells, it also has many ethical issues.

• The organisms grown through cloning can develop weaker immune systems over time, resulting in premature ageing, diseases, and even early death.
• Cloning animal cells or tissues and mixing them with human cells or vice versa is unethical as per societal standards because it is against nature. Creating half-human, half-animal organisms makes them prone to survival issues.
• Cloning researchers may use terminated foetuses, embryos, stem cells, and more, which can create controversy as they belong to the dead. People may find it undignified and against their religious beliefs.

In a nutshell, the technological innovations that affect people and society’s moral principles, demean their image, and risk privacy are unethical practices. People may be subjected to discrimination and undergo mental as well as physical health violations. Moreover, the information extracted can be misused for harm by interfering with nature. These processes also involve living organisms other than humans, who have the right to live and must not be exposed to such technologies.

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