SPRING 2022 GENETIC EDUCATION
PHRM485: GROUP 2
By Miles Anderson
Biological International Health Issues
Miles Anderson (Professional Student), Bryce Colón (BSPS Candidate), Nolan Isaacs (BSPS Candidate), Thao Nguyen (BSPS Candidate), Renee Wayner (Professional Student)
Source: https://grants.nih.gov/ngri.htm
SUMMARY OF TOPICS DISCUSSED International health issues related to advancements in biology and medicine are broad, ranging from issues with provider and patient education to international tourism to seek unregulated treatments. Presented here are five issues: genetic education, biosurveillance, issues related to longevity, stem cell tourism, and fetal testing methods to prevent diseases. The issues affect a wide range of people and raise a number of ethical considerations upon which each author will provide commentary.
Background: Genetic education is a means for individuals to obtain information about their potential risk of getting a genetic disorder or disease. Genetic education can also be used to better educate healthcare professionals. Genetics has provided great benefits to human health such as the identification and treatment of diseases linked to single-gene mutations. Genetics can also be utilized to enhance the health of humans by altering the genome. Genetic services include: Genetic counseling (i.e. obtaining, interpreting, and/or assessing genetic information and relaying this information back to the patient clearly and in the form of an action plan if one is necessary), a genetic test, and genetic education. Global issue: This is a global issue because it can affect poor people no matter the country or region. A certain region may have a lower or higher incidence of poorer people so there may or may not be less access to genetic education and services that are provided. Who/what is affected: Poor people in low income parts of the globe are impacted negatively by having less access to genetic education and services. What efforts/solutions have been made? (or should/could be done?): Make genetic programs a service paid for through the government or foreign government support, or make the services a free service offered by the healthcare system for those most in need. Opinion: Genetic education, information, and services should be available for the improvement or maintenance of an individual's health no matter someone's economic status or location in the world. Genetic education should also be applied to help healthcare providers all around the globe improve knowledge and improve confidence in making decisions. -M. Anderson 9
