Genetic screening and treatment have completely transformed the medical field, and this has also brought a series of challenges. These challenges are discussed in videos such as "Should We Screen for Cancer Genes?", "The Issues of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) for Embryos", "The Cost and Benefits of Treating Genetic Defects", and "From Cystic Fibrosis Genes to Drugs". A core ethical issue is the tension between individual autonomy and social pressure. For instance, cancer gene screening can enable patients to make informed health decisions, but it may also cause psychological harm, result in discrimination from insurance companies, and lead to over-medicalization of healthy individuals. Similarly, PGD raises the issue of "designing babies", where parents may select embryos based on non-medical characteristics, which may reinforce eugenic ideas and social inequality.
One particularly urgent social challenge is access and fairness. The example of cystic fibrosis (CF) drugs shows that life-saving gene therapies can cost millions of dollars, making them unaffordable for most patients. This creates a "genetic gap", with only wealthy individuals benefiting from these technologies, thereby exacerbating existing health inequalities. Even if screening test costs are lower, they are often not covered by insurance, limiting the access of low-income individuals.
To address these issues, I believe that the regulation of genetic technology should follow three core principles: informed consent, anti-discrimination protection, and fair access. The government should implement strict privacy laws to prevent the abuse of genetic data, such as the "Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act" (GINA) in the United States, and prohibit insurance discrimination based on genetic predispositions. Additionally, to ensure that life-saving therapies are not only accessible to the privileged class, public funds and subsidies are also indispensable. Finally, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) should be limited to medical purposes and clear guidelines should be established to prevent non-treatmental selection of characteristics, while continuous public education is necessary to promote informed decision-making. These measures balance scientific progress with ethical responsibilities and ensure that genetic medicine considers the entire society, rather than being limited to a few individuals.