Bioethics CAT

• Gene:

  The basic unit of heredity passed from parent to child
• Gene Role


  producing proteins that run everything in our bodies
• Gene and Parent Gamete relation

  Parent gametes-  one copy is from their mother (via the egg) and the other is from their father (via sperm)
• Allele:

  -          Alternative from of a gene

  -          Occupies a specific position on a chromosome

  -          Responsible for the variations in traits among individuals
• Dominant:

  Trait or gene that stands out and masks the recessive gene
• Recessive:

  -          Only expressed when 2 are present

  -          Can be passed down but doesn’t have to be in play
• Genotype:

  -          The genetic makeup of an organism

  -          It describes the organisms complete set of genes
• Phenotype:

  -          Observable traits of the individual (mainly appearance)

  -          e.g. Eye colour, hair colour, blood type
• Heterozygous:

  -          different alleles for a particular trait

  -          e.g. Hh
• Homozygous:

  -          the same versions of alleles

  -          e.g. HH, hh
• Mutation:

  A change in the genetic material, DNA sequence of an organism
• what are mutagens?

  -          mutagens are agents that cause mutation
• What happens to proteins in the process of mutation:

  -          can cause a protein to malfunction or not function at all
• Types of mutations:

  1. substitution 2.deletion 3.insertion 4.silent mutation 5.missense mutation 6.nonsense mutation 7.frameshift mutations
• Autosomal-

  Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome
• Sex-linked-

  Characteristics or traits that are influenced by genes carried on the sex chromosomes

  -          pattern or something that only goes through a specific gender
• complementary base pairs

  -          Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine  

  -          A-T

  -          G-C

  -          Joined by hydrogen bonds
• Bioethical concepts:

  -          Integrity

  -          Justice

  -          Non-maleficence

  -          Beneficence

  -          Respect
• Integrity

  -          Doing the right thing even when no-one is watching

  -          e.g. Rx displayed integrity as they were transparent in the process as they gave the patients detailed forms to sign so that they could conduct their research.
• Justice

  -          The true and correct method of getting the truth and making sure everyone is treated equally
• Justice example

  -          E.g. Justice in this case study would refer to making sure all patients are treated with respect, fairness and their rights are upheld.  Rx should ensure protection for all participants in the clinical trial which will make sure they are being ethical through out the process.

  -          Ask yourself – is it fair to everyone?
• Beneficence

  -          An act of charity or kindness

  -          E.g. By running the trial in Russia Rx gives Russian citizens medical care and a chance to benefit from the new drug which would be an act of kindness therefore beneficence.
• Non-Maleficence

  -          Not causing pain or suffering to the patient

  -          E.g. Rx demonstrates non-maleficence as the consent form warns patients about the risks explaining to the participant that they can avoid the risk if they want which is non-maleficence.
• Respect

  -          Listening and considering each others opinions and preferences and not going out of your way to disobey the requests of others

  -          Treating everyone in a kind, fair way