Question

Scenario

While the discussion about the implications of the mutation Sarah harbored was complicated, the young couple was able to grasp the essential elements. The counselor summed up the discussion when she said, “Well, I’m disappointed to inform you that a future child of yours could have cystic fibrosis.”

Both Michael and Sarah were visibly upset, but the counselor continued, “But you do still have some options. After natural or in vitro conception, we could test any embryos to determine the genotype, and then you could choose not to proceed with the pregnancy if needed.”

“What are we going to do?” asked Sarah and Michael to each other.

Question

25. If you were Sarah or Michael, what would you choose to do? Select two of the listed scenarios and explain why to Sarah and Michael for each of your selections? As mentioned at the beginning of the guidance material for this case study, start your explanation at the science level, and then consider other aspects, such as religion, societal issues, etc. It would be a good opportunity to consider interfacing science with other non-science issues.
    1. Not have children.
    2. Adopt children.
    3. Get pregnant and continue with the pregnancy no matter what.
    4. Get pregnant, test the embryo within 9 weeks via chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and terminate if the embryo has CF.
    5. Undergo in vitro fertilization by harvesting eggs, fertilizing them, and screening the embryos for CF prior to implantation.

Answer 1

b. adopt a child.

as there is no harm in adopting a child. As mentioned in the situation the female is suffering from complications and her future child can suffer from cystic fibrosis which is an inherited life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. So to avoid these complications, she can go for adoption and by doing so she will be giving a new life to a child which is not having the pleasure of parents and on the other hand she will be having a child without undergoing any risk.

e. undergo in vitro fertilization by harvesting eggs, fertilizing them, and screening the embryos for CF prior to implantation.

IVF is the process of fertilization by extracting eggs, retrieving a sperm sample, and then manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. The embryo(s) is then transferred to the uterus. This technique will help her reduce any complications that could happen to her child. If we consider about society then there are always some people who are never satisfied with whatever one does and so Sarah and Michael should not consider about society and go for in vitro fertilization.