Genetic Science And Its Effects

Huntington’s Disease is a brain disorder affecting movement, cognition, and emotions (Schoenstadt). It is a genetic disorder generally affecting people in their middle 30s and 40s (Sheth). Worldwide, Huntington’s disease (affects between 3-7 per 100,000 people of European ancestry (Schoenstadt). In the United States alone, 1 in every 30,000 people has Huntington’s disease (Genetic Learning Center). Huntington’s Disease is a multi-faceted disease, with a complex inheritance pattern and a wide range of symptoms. There is also much research being done in the field of Huntington’s disease, because as of 2012, this disease is untreatable. THESIS.

Huntington's Disease is a genetic autosomal disorder which effects the brain. It affects about 1 in 20,000 individuals. The symptoms of the disease do not start to occur until after or around 40 years of age. With the onset of the disease the patient starts to gradually deteriorate intellectually, this deterioration also causes involuntary movements. Scientists have only recently found the section of the gene which causes Huntington's disease, and this is allowed them to devise pre-symptomatic tests. However, a cure for the disease is yet to be found.

Huntington's Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder (Walker, 2007 and Harmon, 2007). The gene that causes the disease is located on the fourth chromosome and causes an abnormal number of repeats in the patient's genetic code (Harmon, 2007). Huntington's Disease can have devastating effects on patients' quality of life. The first symptoms of HD generally start between the ages of 30 and 45 and patients are typically asymptomatic prior to this time (Terrenoire, 1992 and Walker, 2007). However, the disease progresses with subtle changes in motor control, personality, and cognition. Patients eventually develop distinct

Huntington's Disease is a devastating and progressive neurological disorder that resu lts primarily from degeneration of nerve cells deep in the center of the brain. The condition was first described by George Huntington, a physician in New York, in 1872. Even then, the physician recognized the all-encompassing factors of the disorder when describing it as, "coming on gradually but surely, increasing by degrees, and often occupying years in its development until the hapless sufferer is but a quivering wreck of his former self".

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological brain disorder. Brains have neurotransmitters called dopamine and people with Parkinson’s gradually stop producing it. This causes a decline in in their ability to manage their body movements and emotions. Parkinson is classified in 5 stages and its symptoms are also similar to Lewy Body (“What is Parkinson's”). The four main motor symptoms of Dementia are slowness of movement, also called bradykinesia, involuntary shaking, or tremor at rest, stiffness of arms and legs, trouble with balance and falls, also called postural instability, said by the National Parkinson’s Foundation (“Motor Symptoms”). Huntington's is an inherited disease caused by degenerative cells in your brain and spinal cord. Symptoms greatly affect the person's thinking and movement ability. Other symptoms include behavior changes, memory loss, and sometimes obsessive-compulsive behavior. People develop this disease at the early ages of thier 30’s and 40’s but some can develop it as early as their 20’s this is called juvenile Huntington's Disease (“Huntington’s Disease”). Although this paper has discussed the 6 most common forms of dementia there are a few rarer types called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Korsakoff's

At this stage, the individual is completely dependent for their care. A major concern during this time is choking. Also, involuntary movements can either be very severe or have stopped completely ("What Is Huntington's Disease," 2017). Although no longer able to speak, the individual is usually still able to understand language and even be able to recognize family and friends. Those with HD often die due to complications from the disease not actually the disease itself, such as choking and infection ("What Is Huntington's Disease," 2017).

Inside each and every cell in your body is a strange chemical called deoxyribonucleic acid, better known as DNA. DNA is a double-helix structure that is made up of billions of nucleotides. They are adenosine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, abbreviated A, T, C, and G, respectively. “The information content resides in those chemical bases arranged within the interior, where A always pairs with T, and C always pairs with G” (Collins 6). These base pairs are lined up in a pattern as rungs on the DNA “ladder”. A gene is a section of base pairs in the strand of DNA. The smallest genes span about a few hundred base pairs, and the largest

Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant disorder, which is found on the # 4 chromosome. George Huntington discovered it in 1872. It mainly has an effect on the nervous system. There are around 210,000 bases between D4S180 and D4S127. The disease itself is found in 2% of people in their childhood, and in 5% of the people they were older then 60. (Miller p 16) In the majority of the affected people the disease is detected between the ages of 35-45. In males the disease begins around the time of their childhood. However, in females it begins later in life. This severe symptom has a tendency for the condition to worsen as it is passed on from generation to generation. Huntington’s disease is paternally

Genes are gifts, or sometimes curses, given by our parents that not only affects the way we look, but also how we think and act. A genetic disease can be defined as an abnormality in an individual's genome and can vary in intensity from a discrete mutation of a single base in the DNA of a gene to a whole addition or subtraction in a set of chromosomes. Huntington’s Disease is an example of a genetic disorder in which nerve cells in the brain break down over time. It is a problem which occurs in every nation of the world. Passed from parent to child, a mutation in the normal gene is at blame for the serious conditions of this disease. More than 15,000 Americans have

The next disease being discussed, Huntington’s Disease, is a hereditary progressive neurodegenerative disorder that can affect the psyche, emotions, and behavior. However, it is most commonly known for the loss of cognitive functioning as well as motor disturbances (Leffler, 2011). Usually the initial signs of Huntington’s Disease starts with jerky movements that can affect various parts of the body (face, arms, legs, etc.) as well as the gradual beginnings of dementia; the memory is usually impaired. There also may be disorientation, or disillusioned ideas of time, place or identity, as well as personality changes and possible increased agitation. Common neurobehavioral changes include: a tendency to blame others for one’s faults, suspiciousness, impulsiveness, constant complaining, lack of self-control, and lack of

Genetics research has had a number of huge breakthroughs in the last 10 years. Researchers were able to identify and isolate genes that have been linked to heart disease, breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, and many other ailments. However this knowledge could be less of a blessing and more of a curse. Many doctors are now asking, who has the right to know? In one instance a pair of dwarf parents said that they would abort any fetus which did not carry the mutation for dwarfism, regardless of how healthy it is. Some consider that the gene which causes this mutation can also lead to serious disorders in bone structure. If the doctor discovers that the child does not have the mutation do the parents have the right to abort a perfectly healthy fetus. Ethicists say that the couple should not be informed as to whether their

“The real problem lies in knowing, or rather not knowing, what degree of human intervention is necessary before it can be concluded that the requisite artificial state of affairs exists. It is an especially difficult problem…because [it] has an almost metaphysical dimension to it. ” Genetic research has become more common than ever with advanced technology able to assist in investigations that were not possible 20 years ago. Biotechnology companies worldwide are exploring new ways to prevent diseases and discover more about the human DNA. This may seem like a step towards health research but it also has prevented further study. In Cancer Voices Australia v Myriad Genetics Inc. , the issue was whether a gene could be patented . There seems to

Late stage. In this stage, people with Huntington's must depend on others for their care. Walking and speaking is very difficudlt, it might not be possible, Most likely the individual will still be aware of loved ones around them. Fidgety movements may become

This study helps us to understand what we need to know about companies owning specific portions of DNA sequences that exist in our own human bodies.

A future with no more disease, no more limitations to what we can or cannot do, the making of a superhuman, playing God. Scientists can now make humans better than ever by improving their bodies by changing the cells in your body. Genetic engineering can also prevent long-time diseases from continuing in a family and help treat many illnesses. Though it can help many issues, it brings up many problems if used improperly and often abused. Genetic engineering harbors more moral and ethical issues than having beneficial effects; however, the positive uses in specific situations should be acknowledged.