The first step in eliminating superstition about a topic is to understand that topic. The origins of genetic history lay in the ancient techniques of selective breeding to yield desired characteristics in offspring. This is a form of genetic manipulation by "employing appropriate selection for physical and behavioral traits" (Gert 2). The work of an Austrian monk by the name of Gregor Mendel established the quantitative discipline of genetics using garden peas. Mendel's work explained the inheritance of traits can be stated by factors passed from one generation to the next; in other words, "genes".

The complete set of genes for an organism is called its genome (Congress 3

Many ethical questions surround PGD. Some people see the beginning of eugenics - the striving towards some hypothetical genetic perfection, along with intolerance of those who are less than perfect. At the present time, we are far away from this. As discussed above, there are definite limits to what can be tested for in the embryo. As the technology advances, the medical community, and society at large, will need to define the boundaries of how PGD should be used. If it becomes possible, do we want parents to be able to select for traits like eye color and height? Since it is already possible to select for sex, should couples be allowed to do this when a sex-linked genetic disorder is not involved? If the couple needs to undergo IVF for infertility, should they be denied this option?

Another concern expressed towards genetic medicine is that by attempting to eliminate individuals with genetic conditions, we could create a society intolerant of people with congenital disorders. If there exists a method to prevent these individuals from being conceived would society discriminate against parents for choosing to allow conception and delivery of these babies? Clearly, this potential problem has existed for over two decades because parents have the choice of terminating pregnancies due to chromosomal or genetic problems that are discovered with amniocentesis. For the most part, society has integrated this technology without stigmatizing parents or their children for being born with an inherited disease. There is no reason to believe that society will expect couples to undergo PGD, unless the couple desires it. (Feinman)

Cloning has great potential in medical science. For example, heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. Scientists predict that they will be able to clone healthy heart cells and inject them into damaged areas (Seed 1). The possibility also exists for doctors to take healthy cells and tissue from a patient's body and use them to make organs. One benefit of replicating organs is that the chance the patient would reject the organ is drastically reduced, if not eliminated (Stencel 414). This could a

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Approximate Word count = 1446
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)