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In Australia, genetic screening is carried out on newborn babies - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 8 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 8
In Australia, genetic screening is carried out on newborn babies. a. Explain why it is important to have a genetic screening program for newborn babies. b. Stat... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In Australia, genetic screening is carried out on newborn babies - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 8 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why it is important to have a genetic screening program for newborn babies.
Answer
A genetic screening program for newborn babies is crucial for several reasons:
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Early Diagnosis: It allows for early detection of genetic disorders, which can lead to timely interventions and treatments that significantly improve health outcomes for affected infants. For instance, conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) can be managed effectively if identified early.
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Informed Decision-Making: Parents are empowered with crucial information about their child's health. This information enables them to make informed decisions regarding care, further testing, and potential treatment options.
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Resource Allocation: Early identification of genetic disorders can help healthcare systems allocate resources more efficiently by targeting interventions and treatments where they are most needed, potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Step 2
State two ethical implications of the genetic screening of newborn babies.
Answer
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Privacy and Confidentiality: There are significant concerns regarding who has access to the genetic information obtained from screening. Ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of this sensitive data is critical to maintain trust between families and healthcare providers.
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Informed Consent: Ethical considerations also encompass ensuring that parents are fully informed and give consent for their child to undergo screening. Parents must understand the implications of the results, including potential psychological impacts and future decisions regarding their child’s treatment and lifestyle.