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IB SL/HL Psychology (biological approaches to behaviour): Discuss one or more ethical considerations relevant to research on genetics and behaviour.$7.20
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Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour [22]
This essay will attempt to offer a balanced review of ethical considerations in research
into genetic influences on behaviour. Ethical considerations are requirements that
have been put in place to help protect participants involved in psychological studies.
They ensure that the participant does not experience more psychological harm than
they would experience in everyday life. Human genetic research aims to determine
the extent to which a behaviour is caused by genetics or the environment, this is
commonly known as the nature vs nurture debate. Twins are often studied within
genetic research as they enable researchers to examine the overall role of genes in
the development of a trait or disorder. Monozygotic twins are the same sex and are
100% genetically identical. Dizygotic twins do not have to be the same sex and share
on average 50% of their genes. Sets of MZ twins are compared with sets of DZ twins
for a particular disease or disorder, high concordance rates in MZ twins and not DZ for
the same behaviour indicate that is it linked to genes. However, if MZ and DZ share a
trait to an equal extent, it is likely the environment influences the trait more than
genetic factors. Genetic research is also concerned with identifying the genes
involved in heredity diseases and disorders. Genes do not determine behaviour;
genetic information can only reveal a potential risk towards developing a certain
disorder or trait. However, this kind of research is associated with ethical concerns as
it can be a sensitive topic for participants, especially if they find out they have
inherited a genetic predisposition towards a ‘negative behaviour.’ There are also
ethical concerns related to research on genetic influence on disease, intelligence,
personality or health.
The first ethical consideration in research into genetic influences on behaviour is
stigmatisation and subsequent psychological harm. Stigmatisation is when an
individual is treated unfairly because others disapprove of them. The Human Genome
Project was an international, collaborative research program whose goal was the
complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings. Our genes all
together are known as our ‘genome.’ Research like the Human Genome Project is
fundamental to increase our current understanding of the human body. It is good
because we can begin to look for appropriate treatment for genetic disorders or begin
to identify them before they even develop. However, the data could be used against
the individuals involved e.g. if an employer is aware that a person carries the gene for
schizophrenia then they may be treated differently as a consequence. If genetic
research continues to develop at such a fast pace, then a screening process may be
used by employers when looking at potential employees and determining who carries
‘desirable genes.’ Real life evidence for the misuse of ethically sensible data can be
seen in Nazi Germany with the eugenics movements. The Nazi’s identified individuals
with genetic disorders and proceeded to kill them in attempt to create a ‘pure’ race of
people which he called the Aryan ‘master race’ A major ethical consideration relating
to genetic research is stigmatisation of individuals on the basis of knowledge of
genetic conditions. Also genetic research into complex behaviour such as
homosexuality is controversial because it is yet to be considered acceptable by all
societies and populations. This type of research could lead to discrimination against
those who carry the ‘gay gene.’ Therefore, researchers must be aware of the ethical
consideration of stigmatisation and its possible consequences when planning research
studies.
In addition to stigmatisation, there are other ethical issues of concern in genetic
research on behaviour within the biological level of analysis. These included informed
consent, right to withdraw and confidentiality. Participants must understand what the
research is about, what will happen in the study and potential implications of the
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