How DNA Testing and Sequencing has Changed Peoples Lives - 550 Words

How DNA Testing and Sequencing has Changed Peoples Lives (Essay Sample) Content: How DNA Testing and Sequencing has Changed Peoples Lives Students NameInstitutional AffiliationHow DNA Testing and Sequencing has Changed Peoples LivesThe past fifty years has seen to various technological innovations. Growing at a dizzying pace, especially in the last two decades, these breathtaking innovations have transformed the world in ways that could only appear possible in science fiction. Among these innovations is DNA testing and genetic sequencing. DNA sequencing refers to the process of analyzing the order of the four bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine) that form the DNA molecule (Zolfagharifard, 2010). From this sequence scientists can decipher the type of genetic information that a particular DNA segment carries. Data obtained from genetic sequencing is useful in various ways such as highlighting changes in a particular gene that can cause disease. As this paper will highlight, DNA sequencing is one of the many technol ogical innovations that have changed peoples lives by improving their quality of life, addressing certain compelling needs and sparking other new inventions. In improving the quality of life, DNA testing and sequencing has influenced the way many people would like to have babies. Through this innovation, scientists have devised ways to create genetically engineered babies. There is a powerful new technology called CRISPR-Cas9 that is used to edit DNA (Regalado, 2015). In essence, this technology facilitates the sliding in of beneficial genes while editing away the undesired ones. Besides, other scientists have discovered ways through which they can integrate the CRISPR technology to stem cell discoveries and produce both eggs and sperms in the laboratory. In contrast to embryos, stem cells can be cultured and multiplied. Consequently, the ste m cells provide an improved way of creating edited offspring if combined with the CRISPR technology. In this way, human beings have managed to rebuild creation in a way that suits them. Through, DNA testing and sequencing, the world has realized a breakthrough in understanding disease where success has been mostly achieved with single-gene disorders. New genetics have identified the specific genes which, when damaged, would lead to certain medical conditions such as Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy (Wilkie, 2001). Subsequently, this breakthrough has become relevant to other common diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. For instance, lung cancer is mainly caused by cigarette smoke which contains carcinogens and molecules that affect the proteins and DNA of the lung cells to make them turn cancerous. The incorporation of genetic sequencing techniques into this and other diseases is, therefor e, leading to the comprehension of other more advanced medical issues than before. On the flip side, DNA testing and sequencing has affected the commercial sector. A good example is the insurance industry. When scientists sought to study the genetics around breast cancer, they wanted to understand the mechanisms that lead to this condition to identify new ways of treating the disease. Ethically, these scientists did not anticipate a situation whereby their discoveries would be used by insurance companies to further their commercial interests. Some insurers around the world have been relying on genetic tests to guide them in making decisions concerning the granting of insurance cover to potential consumers (Wilkie, 2001). Consequently, a public concern has arisen due to discrimination on grounds of genetics. Many people believe that such a move is inhere ntly wrong. Among the concerns is the fear that insurance compa...