2012 Bioethics Case Studies Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

CASE STUDY 1 1 There now exists a genetic test for Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms may not appear until 60 to 65 years of age. Presently there in no cure or effective treatment. Your family has a history of Alzheimer’s. Do you wish to have the presymptomatic test? Why or why not?

2. In early 2009, a California woman gave birth to octuplets that were conceived by artificial insemination. The woman has six other children ages 2-6 years of age. The eight babies, six boys and two girls, were delivered by cesarean section. Does the fertility clinic and thus the fertility doctor have any ethical considerations in the role of offering fertilization treatment. Should there be limits on the number of embryo’s implanted. Also, birth certificates list the same male as the father of all 14 children. Is he obligated to support the kids.

CASE STUDY 3 1.Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGD) has been around for several years for couples who wish to avoid passing on genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. The test can screen embryos and implant only those that are free of the disease causing genes that the technology can identify. Is this ethical? Would it be ethical for the test to screen for specific attributes such as gender, eye color, or hair color?

CASE STUDY 4 (Yes it’s true.) A seventy year old woman from India underwent in vitro fertilization and in July of 2008 gave birth to twins (one boy and one girl). If her age can be verified, she will be the oldest woman ever to have given birth. Her husband states that he is in his mid seventies. The couple already have female children and grandchildren but wished to have a boy. Should age be considered in the use of IVF?