Phar 190: Introduction to Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Name:_Haniah Marohomsalic _____________________

_______

AY 20142015

Section: _IPA________

Score:

Visions of the Future: The Biotech Revolution

1. In what way/s does the Human Genome Project mark the transition towards The Age
of Mastery in medicine? Support your answer with examples.
Human Genome Project shifted the focus of medicine from the stage of germ theory and
traditional drug discovery to gene manipulation and biomolecular revolution
One example stated in the video include shift of management of a boy with erratic/nil
immune response with the use of bubble protection (bubble boy) to use of genetic
therapy wherein stem cells were extracted and genetically modified prior to injecting it to
the boy to help him develop immunity.
Another example is the probable discovery for treatment and prevention of cancer through
the cancer genome project, which aims to map all the possible genetic codes that may result
to cancer.
2. How has the merger between biotechnology and computer technology impacted
biomedical research?
The merger resulted to larger, faster and more efficient researches on biomedicine. Human
genome project took so long to finish because the technology before is not as developed as
technology today. Basing on that fact, it is almost impossible to do the project all over again
for all types of cancer. But due to rapid enhancements on the capability and capacity of
computer, it is now possible to map all genomes of all cancer types at a much faster rate.
3. How can genetic determinism lead to potential discrimination?
Due to genetic determinism, it is now possible for agencies to access someones genetic
information and use it against them. This can lead to some people losing their jobs or
getting rejected by their third party healthcare payer. Also this can be beneficial only to
those who can afford gene therapy, thus making those who cannot become further
discriminated.
4. Choose one of the biomedical technologies provided below. Discuss the advantages
of as well as the ethical or social issues related to the availability of such
technologies. Are you in favor of or against this technology? Why or why not?
Genetic enhancement
o Genetic modification has been very beneficial in several industrial
fields such as food and pharmaceutical industry. We made the
production processes of these industries easier, larger, faster and more
efficient. However, when applied to humans, genetic modification can
pose pertinent ethical issues. This can result to fragmentation of the
society, and subsequently its breakdown. The responsibility of choosing
who shall benefit from the therapy lies solely on some high-income
corporations and personalities, who may not give thoughtful judgment
on the issue on hand. We are actually creating a larger divide between
the richer and the poorer populations, and in the future we can expect

Phar 190: Introduction to Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

AY 20142015

a generation of equally perfect designer children in contrast with our

current diverse population. We focus now on tampering longevity, but
we dont know what purpose we shall serve in those additional time we
acquire.