Research on epigenetics shows that lifestyle decisions, parental influences, and other environmental factors may causes positive or negative changes in children (25). Since the factors of epigenetics are environmental and can be contributed to an individual's actions or choices, many concerns and questions will be asked of towards what can risk epigenetic triggers. Like genetics, epigenetic effects involving environmental exposures are an issue.
Ethical Issues
Although epigenetics is still ​rather new, some possible issues are:​
- How does personal genetic information affect an individual and society's perception of that individual? (24)
- How will genomic information affect the minority? (24)
- Will health care personnel counsel parents about the risks of genetic technology? (24)
- Is the information contained within the human genome more or less sensitive now that scientists recognize epigenetic influences? (35)
- Should it be protected by privacy legislation? (35)
- What effects could epigenetics have compensation payments? (35)
- Is the information contained within the human genome more or less sensitive now that scientists recognize epigenetic influences? (35)
- ​What health effects will this have on future generation? (35)
The real issue is whether or not it's ethical for society to be using genetic information to determine things (e.g. cost of insurance). So, who owns the genetic information? There is no clear answer. However, there are laws passed to regulate the use of genetic information and to maintain an individual's privacy.
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