The Beginning of Life and Childhood
-Genetics- the study of heredity
-Heredity- the process by which organisms pass genetic traits on to their offspring
-The human genome project- a scientific project, funded by the U.S. government, begun in 1990 for the purpose of mapping all of a human’s genes and successfully completed in 2000
-Genetic testing
-Amniocentesis- a test whereby the physician withdraws a sample of amniotic fluid from a woman’s pregnant uterus. The fluid is then tested for genetic or other conditions that may lead to abnormal development of the fetus
-Genetic counselor- an expert in human genetics who is qualified to counsel individuals who may have inherited genes for certain diseases or conditions
-Genetic testing and discrimination
-Genetic discrimination- differential treatment of individuals based on their actual or presumed genetic differences
-Genetic engineering- Manipulating DNA within the cells of plants and animals, to ensure that certain harmful traits will be eliminated in offspring and that desirable traits will appear and be passed on
-Cloning- an organism grown asexually, usually from a single cell of the parent
-Xenotransplantation- transplanting animal tissue and organs into humans
-Human stem cell research
-Stem cells- early embryonic cells that have the potential to become any type of body cell
-Gene therapy- treating harmful genetic diseases or traits by eliminating or modifying the harmful gene
-Conception and the beginning of life
-Infertility
-In vetro fertilization- fertilization that takes place outside a woman’s body, literally, “In glass”, as in a test tube
-Artificial insemination- the mechanical injection of viable semen into the vagina
-Surrogate- a woman who becomes pregnant, usually by artificial insemination or surgical implantation of a fertilized egg, and bears a child for another woman
-Adoption
-Rights of children
-Parens patriae- a legal doctrine that gives the state the authority to act in a child’s best interest
-Best interest of the child concept
-Rights of the newborn
-Abandoned infants
-State laws that allow a mother to abandon a newborn at a fire station, police station, or hospital without legal prosecution or with reduced legal prosecution
-Teenagers
-Mature minors- individuals in their mid- to late teens who, for health care purposes, are considered mature enough to comprehend a physician’s recommendations and give informed consent
-Emancipated minors- individuals in their mid- to late teens who legally live outside of parents’ or guardians’ control
-Refer to court cases
-Baby M-a traditional surrogacy case, p. 261
-Gestational surrogacy contract held valid, p. 261
-Judge rules that minor may consent to her own medical treatment, p. 266
-Minor says no to surgery, p. 267