Question 1

Asch considers aborting to avoid having a child with a disability morally on a par with
A) aborting to avoid having a deaf child.
B) aborting to avoid having a child of the "wrong" sex.
C) aborting to avoid the expense of child-rearing.
D) aborting to select for particular traits in a child.

Accepted Answer

Asch argues that aborting to avoid having a child with a disability is similar to aborting based on sex selection, as both decisions are based on societal biases and discrimination against certain characteristics.

Question 2

Dena Davis believes that genetic counselors should not help parents conceive a child with a genetic disorder for which of the following reasons?
A) Genetic counseling is the same as human cloning.
B) She believes that abortion is always wrong.
C) It violates the child's right to an open future.
D) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

Dena Davis believes that helping parents conceive a child with a genetic disorder violates the child's right to an open future. This means that by intentionally creating a child with a certain genetic trait, the child's future is predetermined and limited, which does not allow them to fully exercise their autonomy and make choices for themselves in the future.

Question 3

The aim of increasing the number of favorable genes in the human population is called
A) positive eugenics
B) negative eugenics
C) the Human Genome Project
D) neutral eugenics

Accepted Answer

Positive eugenics is the aim to increase the percentage of favorable genes in the human population through selective breeding or genetic engineering. Negative eugenics, on the other hand, aims to decrease the prevalence of unfavorable genes through policies such as sterilization or genocide. The Human Genome Project is a scientific research project aimed at mapping and sequencing the entire human genome, but it is not directly related to eugenics. Neutral eugenics is not a commonly used term and does not have a clear definition.

Question 4

Which of the following does Jeff McMahan list as a common objection to prenatal or preimplantation screening for disabilities?
A) The practices are discriminatory
B) The practices are harmful to the disabled as both a group and as an individual
C) Reduction in the number of disabled persons would have a detrimental impact on human diversity
D) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

Jeff McMahan lists all of these objections to prenatal or preimplantation screening for disabilities as common objections. He argues against these objections throughout his article.

Question 5

Kantian ethics would be likely to view forced sterilization as
A) morally acceptable if performed for the good of society.
B) morally acceptable if performed for the good of the individual sterilized.
C) an affront to the autonomy of individuals.
D) an affront to the well-being of the fetus.

Accepted Answer

Kantian ethics places a strong emphasis on individual autonomy, and forced sterilization would be seen as a violation of that autonomy. Kantian ethics would prioritize individual rights and dignity over societal goals or collective benefits. Therefore, it would not justify forced sterilization, regardless of whether it is intended to benefit society or the individual.

Question 6

The aim of decreasing the number of undesirable or harmful genes in the human population is called
A) positive eugenics
B) negative eugenics
C) the Human Genome Project
D) neutral eugenics

Accepted Answer

Negative eugenics involves decreasing the number of undesirable or harmful genes in the human population through methods such as genetic counseling, selective breeding or sterilization. Positive eugenics, on the other hand, involves increasing the frequency of desirable genes in the population. The Human Genome Project is a scientific endeavor to map and sequence the human genome, but it is not specifically focused on eugenics. Neutral eugenics is not a commonly used term in the field.

Question 7

Which of the following is or are true of gene therapy?
A) Gene therapy research has proved disappointing and researchers are shifting to other means of treating genetic disorders.
B) It is now routinely used to cure people with sickle-cell disease and leukemia.
C) It provides considerable promise for people suffering a variety of genetic disorders.
D) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

Gene therapy provides considerable promise for people suffering from a variety of genetic disorders. Although there have been some disappointing results, researchers continue to explore and refine this approach to treatment. While gene therapy has shown some promising early results for the treatment of certain types of cancer, it is not yet being used routinely to cure people with these diseases.

Question 8

The Catholic Church would approve of using which of the following in research?
A) adult stem cells
B) embryonic stem cells
C) both of these sources
D) no sources at all

Accepted Answer

The Catholic Church approves of using adult stem cells in research, but not embryonic stem cells, as they believe that the destruction of human embryos violates the sanctity of human life. Therefore, choice A, adult stem cells, is the best choice for research that is in line with Catholic Church teachings.

Question 9

Crossing the germ line involves making changes that
A) result in changes between species.
B) could be passed down to subsequent generations.
C) affect only one individual.
D) affect the somatic cells of more than one species.

Accepted Answer

Crossing the germ line involves making changes to the DNA sequence in germ cells that can be passed down to subsequent generations. This is in contrast to changes made to somatic cells, which affect only the individual and are not passed on to their offspring. Crossing the germ line can result in changes within a species, but not necessarily between species, as this would require much larger genetic changes.

Question 10

Bonnie Steinbock argues that
A) selecting against disability implies a devaluation of disabled people.
B) it is reasonable for parents to wish to prevent disability in their children.
C) selecting for disability if morally permissible.
D) selection of persons should never occur.

Accepted Answer

Bonnie Steinbock argues that while selecting against disability can send the message that disabled people are not valuable, it is still reasonable for parents to wish to prevent disability in their children. However, she does not argue that selecting for disability is morally permissible or that selection of persons should never occur.

Question 11

George Annas believes that, historically,
A) prenatal screening has been used to find conditions that could justify the view that abortion is permissible because the fetus would be better off dead.
B) prenatal screening has been used to find conditions that could be rectified by genetic therapies.
C) prenatal screening has been used as a substitute for elective abortion.
D) all of these choices.

Accepted Answer

Annas argues that historically, prenatal screening has been used to find conditions that could be used to justify the view that abortion is permissible because the fetus would be better off dead. He cites examples of conditions such as Down syndrome and spina bifida, which have been used in this way. However, he also acknowledges that in recent years, there has been a shift towards using prenatal screening to identify conditions that could be rectified by genetic therapies, such as cystic fibrosis.

Question 12

GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) prohibits which of the following?
A) It prohibits employers from requiring genetic tests as a condition of being hired.
B) It prohibits health insurers from disclosing genetic information about an individual.
C) It prohibits employers from buying genetic information about an employee.
D) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

GINA prohibits all of these choices. It prohibits employers from requiring genetic tests as a condition of being hired, prohibits health insurers from disclosing genetic information about an individual, and prohibits employers from buying genetic information about an employee.

Question 13

Critics of prenatal genetic testing argue which of the following?
A) It is not clear which genetic conditions are sufficiently serious to justify aborting the fetus.
B) Genetic testing is a form of discrimination against people with disabilities.
C) Diminishing the number of people with genetic conditions will have a negative effect on those now living with these conditions.
D) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

Critics of prenatal genetic testing argue all of these points. They argue that it is not clear which genetic conditions are serious enough to warrant aborting the fetus, that genetic testing is a form of discrimination against people with disabilities, and that reducing the number of people with genetic conditions may have negative effects on those currently living with those conditions.

Question 14

The Principle of Procreative Beneficence stipulates which of the following?
A) Reproducers should select the child who is expected to have the best life out of all children that they could conceive.
B) Reproducers should select the child who is expected to have a life that is at least as good a life as the alternative children they could conceive.
C) Reproducers should make decisions about the children they could conceive based on relevant, available information.
D) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

The Principle of Procreative Beneficence stipulates that reproducers should make decisions about the children they could conceive based on relevant, available information, and should select the child who is expected to have a life that is at least as good a life as the alternative children they could conceive.

Question 15

Which of the following is or are true of embryonic stem cells?
A) They have the potential to become any kind of cell.
B) They eventually become adult stem cells.
C) They are potentially capable of treating genetic diseases.
D) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any kind of cell, and they are capable of treating genetic diseases. However, they do not eventually become adult stem cells, as they are distinct from one another.

Question 16

Dena Davis focuses on which of the following genetic disorders in formulating her argument?
A) deafness
B) Huntington's
C) Achondroplastic Dwarf syndrome
D) Down syndrome

Accepted Answer

Dena Davis focuses on deafness in formulating her argument, particularly in the context of genetic selection and the ethics surrounding choosing or deselecting for certain traits.

Quiz 3: Genetic Control-PART A

Asch considers aborting to avoid having a child with a disability morally on a par with

Dena Davis believes that genetic counselors should not help parents conceive a child with a genetic disorder for which of the following reasons?

The aim of increasing the number of favorable genes in the human population is called

Which of the following does Jeff McMahan list as a common objection to prenatal or preimplantation screening for disabilities?

Kantian ethics would be likely to view forced sterilization as

The aim of decreasing the number of undesirable or harmful genes in the human population is called

Which of the following is or are true of gene therapy?

The Catholic Church would approve of using which of the following in research?

Crossing the germ line involves making changes that

Bonnie Steinbock argues that

George Annas believes that, historically,

GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) prohibits which of the following?

Critics of prenatal genetic testing argue which of the following?

The Principle of Procreative Beneficence stipulates which of the following?

Which of the following is or are true of embryonic stem cells?

Dena Davis focuses on which of the following genetic disorders in formulating her argument?