Deck 9: Genetic Choices

Question 1

Some argue that gene therapy should not be permitted because it amounts to

A) abortion.
B) eugenics.
C) genetic repair.
D) treatment of disease.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Negative eugenics is widely regarded as

A) permissible or obligatory.
B) impermissible.
C) impossible.
D) prohibited.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Those who believe that embryos have the moral status of persons are likely to view embryonic stem cell research as

A) moral.
B) morally ambiguous.
C) immoral.
D) amoral.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Those who believe that early embryos have less than full moral status but are still deserving of some respect usually regard embryonic stem cell research as

A) morally impermissible.
B) morally acceptable.
C) harmful.
D) permissible without limits.

Question 5

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is

A) inexpensive.
B) dangerous.
C) common.
D) not yet feasible.

Question 6

DNA has the molecular architecture of a

A) single helix.
B) double helix.
C) polyhedron.
D) vortex.

Question 7

An organism's entire complement of DNA is known as its

A) genome.
B) chromosomes.
C) nucleus.
D) blastocyst.

Question 8

Genes are neatly organized into 46 stringlike molecules known as

A) genomes.
B) chromosomes.
C) nuclei.
D) blastocysts.

Question 9

_______ testing is a form of genetic testing used to determine if a fetus has genetic abnormalities likely to cause physical or mental impairments.

A) Carrier
B) Diagnostic
C) Preimplantation genetic
D) Prenatal

Question 10

_______ testing is a form of genetic testing used to determine whether someone possesses a mutated gene that could transmit an autosomal recessive disorder to a child if both parents have mutated gene.

A) Carrier
B) Diagnostic
C) Preimplantation genetic
D) Prenatal

Question 11

_______ testing is a form of genetic testing used to confirm or rule out a genetic disorder in someone with symptoms.

A) Carrier
B) Diagnostic
C) Preimplantation genetic
D) Prenatal

Question 12

A physician who argues in favor of restricting access to genetic tests because genetic self-knowledge causes psychological harms, and patients cannot understand the complexities and implications of genetic information, is reasoning using

A) the principle of nonmaleficence.
B) the principle of utility.
C) paternalism.
D) the principle of respect for persons.

Question 13

Gene therapy is the manipulation of someone's genetic material to prevent or treat disease by

A) replacing a missing or defective gene with a normal one.
B) repairing a faulty gene so it will function properly.
C) activating or deactivating a gene (switching it on or off).
D) All of the above

Question 14

A _______ would argue against pre-natal testing and PGD because they usually lead directly to selective abortion and embryo selection-clear violations of the unborn's right to life.

A) Kantian
B) rule-utilitarian
C) act-utilitarian
D) Catholic natural law theorist

Question 15

A _______ would likely find somatic-cell gene therapy morally permissible.

A) Kantian
B) utilitarian
C) Catholic natural law theorist
D) All of the above

Question 16

Even when genetic tests correctly predict a genetic disorder, they usually cannot foretell how severe its symptoms will be or when they will appear.

Question 17

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests are reliable, useful, and safe.

Question 18

Many symptomless people at risk for Huntington's disease decide not to be tested.

Question 19

Genetic discrimination is prohibited by law.

Question 20

Julian Savulescu argues that genetic enhancement is not morally permissible.

Question 21

Every state mandates some kind of newborn screening to uncover genetic diseases for early treatment.

Question 22

Every state mandates some kind of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to test embryos produced through in vitro fertilization (IVF) for genetic abnormalities.

Question 23

Gene therapy is often accomplished using virus carriers.

Question 24

Somatic-cell gene therapy involves altering genes in a person's body, such as liver or muscle cells, to treat an existing disorder.

Question 25

Germ-line cell gene therapy alterations are not inheritable-they cannot be passed on to the person's offspring.

Question 26

The safety concerns surrounding somatic-cell gene therapy are so worrisome that it is generally thought to be morally unacceptable.

Question 27

Embryonic stem cells can reproduce indefinitely.

Question 28

Most of the moral controversy over embryonic stem cells has focused on their source.

Question 29

Scientists are now able to genetically reprogram ordinary human skin cells to take on the characteristics of embryonic stem cells.

Question 30

A utilitarian would almost certainly would argue that prenatal testing and

Question 31

Explain the social justice objection to genetic enhancement.

Question 32

Genetic testing can create tension between our right to autonomy (in particular, privacy) and the duty to warn. Describe why these tensions arise and give an example.

Question 33

What is genetic discrimination and how might it be used in ethically problematic ways?

Question 34

Some have argued in favor of selective abortion and embryo selection on the grounds that the resulting child would be better off if the impairment were prevented, but philosophers have thought this notion incoherent. Briefly explain the philosophers' position.

Question 35

A common charge against genetic testing to prevent birth impairments is that it amounts to disrespect or discrimination against people with disabilities. Briefly explain this position.

Question 36

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetics and Reproductive Risk: Can Having Children Be Immoral?," Laura M. Purdy
-Purdy contends that to reproduce children when we know there is a high risk of transmitting a serious disease or defect is

A) unfortunate but not morally impermissible.
B) morally wrong.
C) sometimes morally right.
D) morally permissible.

Question 37

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetics and Reproductive Risk: Can Having Children Be Immoral?," Laura M. Purdy
-Purdy argues that we have an obligation to provide each child with something like a

A) minimally satisfying life.
B) maximally satisfying life.
C) life more satisfying than most.
D) life of above average satisfaction.

Question 38

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetics and Reproductive Risk: Can Having Children Be Immoral?," Laura M. Purdy
-Purdy argues that until we can be assured that Huntington's disease does not prevent people from having a minimally satisfying life, individuals at risk for the disease have a moral duty to

A) remain childless.
B) have very few children.
C) try not to bring affected babies into the world.
D) wait until a cure is found for the disease.

Question 39

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Morality of Screening for Disability," Jeff McMahan
-McMahan argues that to deliberately cause a disabled child to exist instead of a healthy child is

A) wrong.
B) morally permissible.
C) morally neutral.
D) possibly wrong.

Question 40

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Morality of Screening for Disability," Jeff McMahan
-McMahan says that common objections to using screening technologies to avoid giving birth to a disabled child imply that it is wrong to

A) have a disabled child.
B) have children.
C) try to avoid having a disabled child.
D) use technology.

Question 41

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Morality of Screening for Disability," Jeff McMahan
-McMahan says that a common objection is that screening and selection are

A) dangerous.
B) unnatural.
C) discriminatory.
D) unpredictable.

Question 42

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Dilemmas and the Child's Right to an Open Future," Dena S. Davis
-Davis points out that genetic counselors are strongly committed to

A) respecting fetal autonomy.
B) the principle of justice.
C) respecting patient autonomy.
D) consequentialism.

Question 43

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Dilemmas and the Child's Right to an Open Future," Dena S. Davis
-Davis argues that deliberately creating a deaf child

A) does not necessarily count as a moral harm.
B) is neither moral nor immoral.
C) does not diminish a child's right to an open future.
D) counts as a moral harm.

Question 44

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Dilemmas and the Child's Right to an Open Future," Dena S. Davis
-Davis thinks a liberal state's attitude toward communities unsympathetic to the liberal value of individual choice should be one of

A) intolerance.
B) limited tolerance.
C) tolerance.
D) disapproval.

Question 45

The Following Questions For Readings: "Disowning Knowledge: Issues in Genetic Testing," Robert Wachbroit
-Wachbroit says that when physicians restrict genetic information out of concern that the information might cause social or psychological harm to patients, they are practicing

A) responsible medicine.
B) resurgent paternalism.
C) benign paternalism.
D) unjust choice.

Question 46

The Following Questions For Readings: "Disowning Knowledge: Issues in Genetic Testing," Robert Wachbroit
-Wachbroit contends that there is no right to

A) informed consent.
B) nongenetic testing.
C) genetic testing.
D) basic testing.

Question 47

The Following Questions For Readings: "Disowning Knowledge: Issues in Genetic Testing," Robert Wachbroit
-Wachbroit points out that one harm of knowing one's genetic condition arises from

A) very accurate testing.
B) ignorance of one's genetic condition.
C) the prospect of job relocation.
D) the prospect of discrimination or insurance coverage.

Question 48

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Non-Identity Problem and Genetic Harms-The Case of Wrongful Handicaps," Dan W. Brock
-Brock argues that a failure to prevent a serious disability

A) cannot wrong the child.
B) can wrong the child.
C) can wrong the parents.
D) both can and cannot wrong the child.

Question 49

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Non-Identity Problem and Genetic Harms-The Case of Wrongful Handicaps," Dan W. Brock
-According to Brock, claiming that a seriously impaired child would be better off if the impairment were prevented is

A) coherent.
B) reasonable.
C) incoherent.
D) logical.

Question 50

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Non-Identity Problem and Genetic Harms-The Case of Wrongful Handicaps," Dan W. Brock
-Brock argues that for "non-person-affecting" reasons, failing to prevent a serious disability is

A) sometimes wrong.
B) permissible.
C) wrong.
D) never wrong.

Question 51

The Following Questions For Readings: "Is Gene Therapy a Form of Eugenics?," John Harris
-Harris evaluates the idea that although we have an obligation to cure disease, we do not have an obligation to

A) maintain normal health.
B) prevent disease.
C) cure sickness.
D) improve upon or enhance normal health.

Question 52

The Following Questions For Readings: "Is Gene Therapy a Form of Eugenics?," John Harris
-Harris tries to rebut the idea that attempts to produce fine healthy children might be

A) morally permissible.
B) wrongful.
C) obligatory.
D) underused.

Question 53

The Following Questions For Readings: "Is Gene Therapy a Form of Eugenics?," John Harris
-Harris argues that between attempts to cure dysfunction and attempts to enhance function (where the enhancement protects life or health), there is

A) no moral difference.
B) a vast moral difference.
C) both a legal and moral difference.
D) only a medical difference.

Question 54

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Enhancement," Walter Glannon
-Glannon argues that genetic enhancement is

A) morally legitimate.
B) technologically impossible.
C) morally illegitimate.
D) morally neutral.

Question 55

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Enhancement," Walter Glannon
-Glannon claims that genetic enhancement that gives some people an advantage over others in possessing competitive goods would be

A) beneficial.
B) unfair.
C) just.
D) morally permissible.

Question 56

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Enhancement," Walter Glannon
-Glannon argues that inequalities resulting from enhancements above the baseline of normal physical and mental functioning could threaten to undermine the conviction in the fundamental importance of

A) equality.
B) superior abilities.
C) personal wellness.
D) physical identity.

Question 57

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Enhancement of Human Beings," Julian Savulescu
-Savulescu maintains that enhancement is

A) immoral.
B) a moral obligation.
C) unobjectionable.
D) objectionable.

Question 58

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Enhancement of Human Beings," Julian Savulescu
-Savulescu argues that enhancement is no different than

A) cosmetic changes.
B) preventing cancer.
C) treating disease.
D) monitoring biological changes.

Question 59

The Following Questions For Readings: "Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Enhancement of Human Beings," Julian Savulescu
-Savulescu asserts that biological manipulation to increase opportunity is

A) dishonest.
B) unethical.
C) ineffective.
D) ethical

Question 60

The Following Questions For Readings: "Germ-Line Gene Therapy," LeRoy Walters and Julie Gage Palmer
-Walters and Palmer argue that germ-line genetic intervention may be the only way to prevent damage to individuals caused by

A) environmental anomalies.
B) solar radiation.
C) genetic defects.
D) aging.

Question 61

The Following Questions For Readings: "Germ-Line Gene Therapy," LeRoy Walters and Julie Gage Palmer
-A consideration against germ-line gene therapy says that if germ-line gene therapy has negative effects, those effects will impact both the recipient of the intervention as well as

A) all the recipient's descendants.
B) the recipient's relatives.
C) the first generation after the recipient.
D) the second generation after the recipient.

Question 62

The Following Questions For Readings: "Germ-Line Gene Therapy," LeRoy Walters and Julie Gage Palmer
-Walters and Palmer contend that research with early human embryos that is directed toward the development of germ-line gene therapy is

A) not morally justified.
B) dangerous.
C) untenable.
D) morally justified in principle.

Question 63

The Following Questions For Readings: "What Does ''Respect for Embryos' Mean in the Context of Stem Cell Research?," Bonnie Steinbock
-Steinbock argues that embryos

A) have less than full moral status.
B) have full moral status.
C) are due the same respect that we give persons.
D) are no respect.

Question 64

The Following Questions For Readings: "What Does ''Respect for Embryos' Mean in the Context of Stem Cell Research?," Bonnie Steinbock
-Steinbock says that respect for embryos

A) requires refraining from research.
B) does not require refraining from research.
C) requires a ban on research.
D) requires an official pause in research.

Question 65

The Following Questions For Readings: "What Does ''Respect for Embryos' Mean in the Context of Stem Cell Research?," Bonnie Steinbock
-Steinbock says that respect for embryos is demonstrated by

A) not restricting their use in any way.
B) restricting their use to important ends.
C) never using embryos in research.
D) not creating embryos in a lab.

Question 66

The Following Questions For Readings: "Declaration on the Production and the Scientific and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells," Pontifical Academy for Life
-According to the position statement by the Pontifical Academy for Life, producing or using living human embryos to obtain embryonic stem cells is

A) a practice subject to further study.
B) morally permissible.
C) not yet scientifically feasible.
D) morally impermissible.

Question 67

The Following Questions For Readings: "Declaration on the Production and the Scientific and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells," Pontifical Academy for Life
-The Pontifical Academy for Life declares that a living human embryo is a human individual

A) with a right to its own life.
B) with a right to be used with care.
C) that may benefit from intervention.
D) whose stem cells can be used only to achieve therapeutic goods.

Question 68

The Following Questions For Readings: "Declaration on the Production and the Scientific and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells," Pontifical Academy for Life
-The Pontifical Academy for Life asserts that engaging in therapeutic cloning is

A) morally licit.
B) possibly morally illicit.
C) morally illicit.
D) morally licit in a few circumstances.