Asked by Ranju Guragain on Jul 05, 2024

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Which statement accurately characterizes an ethical consideration surrounding human genetics?

A) Nonrelatives are more likely than relatives to carry the same harmful alleles.
B) Genetic discrimination is not yet possible, even with all the known effects of genetic information.
C) In the current ethical climate, genetic privacy is not a significant concern.
D) Consanguineous matings are prohibited by half of U.S. states due to the increased risk of autosomal recessive alleles.
E) Most insurance companies have instituted policies against keeping genetic information on their policy holders.

Genetic Discrimination

The prejudicial treatment of individuals based on their genetic characteristics, potentially affecting employment, insurance, and other areas of life.

Consanguineous Matings

Reproductive relationships between individuals who are closely related genetically, often leading to an increase in the probability of their offspring inheriting genetic disorders.

Autosomal Recessive Alleles

Alleles of a gene located on an autosome that need to be present in two copies (homozygous) in order for a trait or disorder to manifest.

  • Understand the processes and ethical aspects of genetic screening and therapy, including preimplantation genetic diagnosis, gene therapy, and chorionic villus sampling.
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SaiAnni HyattJul 11, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
Consanguineous matings (those between close relatives) are indeed prohibited or legally restricted in many U.S. states, primarily due to the increased risk of offspring inheriting autosomal recessive alleles, which can lead to genetic disorders. This reflects a legal and ethical stance aimed at reducing the risk of genetic diseases.