Write a Cancer Review paper covering one of the recommended topic related to current cancer research.
Recommended topic:
Research ethics and the challenge of whole-genome
sequencing
McGuire AL, Caulfield T, Cho MK. Research ethics and the challenge of wholegenome
sequencing. Nat Rev Genet. 2008 Feb;9(2):152-6.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Research Ethics and the Challenge of Whole-Genome Sequencing: A Critical Review
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has revolutionized the field of genetics and personalized medicine, offering unprecedented insights into an individual’s genetic makeup. However, along with the promise of WGS comes a myriad of ethical challenges related to privacy, consent, data sharing, and potential misuse of genetic information. The paper by McGuire et al. in Nature Reviews Genetics in 2008 sheds light on the ethical considerations surrounding WGS and emphasizes the importance of upholding research ethics in the era of genomic medicine.
Literature Review
Whole-genome sequencing has enabled researchers to uncover genetic variations associated with disease susceptibility, treatment response, and disease prognosis. The rapid advancements in sequencing technologies have made it possible to sequence an individual’s entire genome at a relatively low cost, paving the way for personalized healthcare interventions. However, the comprehensive nature of WGS raises significant ethical concerns regarding data privacy, informed consent, data ownership, and potential discrimination based on genetic information.
The review by McGuire et al. highlights the complexities of conducting research involving WGS and emphasizes the need for robust ethical frameworks to guide genomic research practices. It discusses the challenges of obtaining informed consent for WGS, protecting individual privacy in the era of big data analytics, and ensuring equitable access to genomic data for research purposes.
Gaps in Knowledge
Despite the progress in understanding the ethical implications of WGS, several gaps in knowledge persist. These include developing standardized guidelines for obtaining informed consent for genomic research, establishing mechanisms for secure data sharing while protecting individual privacy, addressing disparities in access to genomic data among different populations, and exploring the long-term implications of genetic testing on individuals and society.
Research Question
Research Question: How can we ensure ethical conduct in whole-genome sequencing research to safeguard participant privacy and promote equitable access to genomic data?
Hypothesis: Implementing transparent consent processes, robust data encryption methods, and inclusive governance structures will enhance ethical practices in whole-genome sequencing research and facilitate responsible data sharing.
This research question aligns with the principles of research ethics and aims to address the ethical challenges associated with WGS research. By exploring strategies to uphold participant privacy, promote data security, and foster data sharing practices that prioritize equity and inclusivity, we can advance genomic research while upholding ethical standards.
In conclusion, as whole-genome sequencing continues to shape the landscape of precision medicine and genomic research, it is imperative to navigate the ethical complexities inherent in this rapidly evolving field. By engaging in critical discussions, developing ethical guidelines, and fostering a culture of responsible data stewardship, we can harness the power of genomics while upholding the principles of research ethics.
Reference:
– McGuire AL, Caulfield T, Cho MK. Research ethics and the challenge of whole-genome sequencing. Nat Rev Genet. 2008 Feb;9(2):152-6.
