Part I on The Perfect Baby by Glenn McGee (worth 70% of test).

I will ask you to answer four of the following short answer questions. Your answer to each question should be a few sentences, no more than 200 words. Be clear and concise.

You should review chapters 3-7

You can use a prepared 3"x5" card, written in your own handwriting.

Chapter 3

• Explain the criticisms of genetic technology by Jeremy Rifkin, as set out by McGee.
• Explain the criticisms of genetic technology by Robyn Rowland, as set out by McGee.
• Hans Jonas writes:

over what and whom … is genetics a power? Plainly, of the living over posterity; more correctly, of present men over future men, who are the defenseless objects of antecedent choices by the planners of today. The obverse of their power is the later serviture of the living to the dead.

Explain what he means in this quotation.

Chapter 4

• Explain McGee's reply to Rifkin's objections to genetic technology.
• Explain McGee's reply to Rowland's feminist objections to genetic technology.
• On page 60, McGee says that "Genetic determinism is grounded in one or more of three basic convictions." He goes on to explain what is wrong with those convictions. Say what these three convictions are and how McGee replies to TWO of them.

• McGee says that (p. 71) genes are not static units, describing a single mode of relation between the organism and the world. What does he mean?
• Why does McGee think (p. 72) that the "objective scientist" is the hero of old myth?
• What does McGee mean when he writes (p. 74), "Thus biological facts come into relationship with culture the moment a new organism appears in the sphere of social life."

• McGee makes a distinction between disease and illness. Explain what the distinction is, and how it is related to his recommendation that doctors need to talk more with their patients and have better communication skills.
• Explain why McGee says that, (on p. 88) "Most genetic tests are not very useful, and in many cases we know much less than the test results suggest."
• Explain why McGee thinks that genetic tests without counseling should be illegal, whether on the part of families or other institutions.
• Why does McGee think that "non-directive" genetic counseling is dangerous?
• McGee says, (p. 96), "Blame is never helpful for any disease and we must pass a law eliminating preexisting condition exclusions of any kind rather than merely exonerating those with bad genes." What does he mean, and how does he justify this recommendation?
• Why does McGee think that scientists working on the Human Genome Project should have their work evaluated according to the same standards as other biologists?

• McGee argues that, (p. 117), "reproductive genetic enhancement can best be understood within a wider range of other, more mundane parental decisions." Explain what he means.
• Why doesn't McGee think that, (p. 119), the distinction between interventions that are natural and those that are enhancement doesn't help us to solve problems" about what are legitimate ways for parents to try to influence their children?
• Explain the sin of calculativeness.
• Explain the sin of being overbearing.
• Explain the sin of shortsightedness.
• Explain the sin of hasty judgment.

Part II. A case study in genetic counseling: (worth 30% of test)

When you are given the case, you should write about a page or two (300 words) explaining

• what further information the counselor should seek,
• what options the counselor has,
• what are the pros and cons of each option,
• what, all things considered, you recommend the counselor do.