Human Genome Project-In the News (March 31st,2021)

Foundational Material

Punnett Squares

Genetics Basic

https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/about/basics.htm

Human Genome Project-In the News (March 31st,2021)

https://www.genome.gov/news/news-release/researchers-generate-the-first-complete-gapless-sequence-of-a-human-genome

Epigenetics

https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm

Public Health Application

Intro to Precision Medicine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIzbg8REzGw (Links to an external site.)

Precision Medicine & Cardiovascular Disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc2zEuXAynE (Links to an external site.)

How does public health use Big Data (Precision Public Health)?

What Impact is Big Data having on Healthcare?

A New Era of Designer Babies May Be Based on Overhyped Science

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-new-era-of-designer-babies-may-be-based-on-overhyped-science/

Seven points to consider from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41436-020-01082-w/tables/1

TASK

Based on the information above, consider the following questions for your reaction assignment.

You are the Lead Health Researcher and an expert in the field at the Maryland Board of Health (based on the content that you have read and viewed above) for the Maryland Board of Health. The governor has tasked you and your team with examining the issues surrounding genes and genetic diseases. There have been several policy and funding issues that have arose based on recent developments with the Human Genome Project and information that has emerged about the possible capability to detect (and maybe even alter) certain human genes. 

The Governor would like you to consider the following questions:

 According to research by the insurance industry, most people think it is fair for the industry to consider whether someone smokes or not, when setting policy rates. Additionally, while people from different racial groups may be more or less susceptible to certain diseases, it is illegal to discriminate in insurance based on race, and most people agree with that. Based on the aforementioned, would you recommend examining a person’s genetic profile? Why or Why not? Where do you believe the state should draw the line? *

In your opinion, what information about you should be kept private (only to the individual) and what information is fair game to share with the insurance industry and/or employer? Medical? Genetic? Psychological? Financial? Legal? Are there any other entities that should have right to this information?*

With the knowledge that you now have on genetics, precision public health, precision medicine, social justice and health equity. As you examine the topic of genetic diseases through your public health discipline, what are the considerations that you strongly feel the governor needs to consider prior to investing millions of dollars into genetic research and policy implementation?