Evaluate screening and gene-therapy ethics
Discuss autonomy, privacy, uncertainty, access and risk in medical genetic technologies.
Section 19.2 · Genetic technology applied to medicine
A Level; Cambridge International Biology 9700, 2028–2030. This is curriculum teaching, not medical advice or a claim that a treatment is suitable for an individual. Written responses are self-checked
Before you begin
- DNA stores genetic information; genes can be expressed to produce RNA and protein.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Name one ethical issue raised by genetic screening.
What you will learn
- Discuss ethical and social considerations of genetic screening
- Discuss ethical and social considerations of gene therapy
Build the explanation
Genetic screening can support prevention and informed choices, but raises questions about informed consent, privacy, data storage, possible discrimination, psychological effects and consequences for relatives. Gene therapy may offer benefit where other treatments are limited, but involves uncertainty about long-term effects, risks of unintended changes, fair access and consent, especially for children.
Use the evidence carefully
A balanced discussion weighs likely benefit against risk, uncertainty, autonomy and social context. Distinguish somatic treatment from heritable germline intervention; ethical concerns differ because germline changes may affect future generations who cannot consent.
Pause and explain
Compare one ethical concern for somatic gene therapy with one for germline editing.
Worked example
A screening result may reveal risk information about a patient’s relatives. Name an ethical issue and a safeguard.
Show the worked solution
- The result is personal and familial.
- Consent and privacy protection are relevant.
Answer An ethical issue is privacy and potential disclosure to relatives; informed consent and secure handling of results are safeguards.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Why is informed consent important before predictive genetic screening?
Give me a hint
Identify the relevant material or technology and explain each step.
Compare my reasoning
- The test may reveal uncertain or life-changing information.
- People should understand purpose and consequences.
Informed consent ensures the person understands the test, possible results, limits and implications before choosing whether to proceed.
Look for these in your work
- Method identified
- Steps linked to function
Why can unequal access to gene therapy raise a social concern?
Give me a hint
Use the stated example to justify a conclusion.
Compare my reasoning
- Only some groups may receive a costly treatment.
- Access can widen health inequality.
If access depends on wealth or location, potential benefits may not be shared fairly and health inequalities may widen.
Look for these in your work
- Evidence interpreted
- Limits stated
Compare one ethical concern for somatic gene therapy with one for germline editing.
Give me a hint
Apply the idea to a new application or trade-off.
Compare my reasoning
- Somatic treatment affects the patient.
- Germline changes may affect future generations.
Somatic therapy raises concerns about risk and consent for the treated patient. Germline editing adds the concern that changes may be inherited by future people who cannot consent.
Look for these in your work
- Application explained
- Claim appropriately bounded
Common mistakes
- Listing benefits without considering uncertainty
- Treating all gene therapy as heritable
What can you explain now?
Name one ethical issue raised by genetic screening.
Compare with the explanation
Consent, privacy, discrimination or psychological impact
The issue should be linked to how information is obtained or used.
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Make it stick
Which ethical questions should be weighed when screening or gene therapy is used?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.