Q.1 Which of the following is a key ethical concern in genetic testing?
Privacy of genetic information
Availability of genetic textbooks
Difficulty of laboratory techniques
Lack of microscopes
Explanation - Genetic testing reveals sensitive information that could affect insurance, employment, or personal relationships, making privacy a primary ethical concern.
Correct answer is: Privacy of genetic information
Q.2 What does the term 'genetic discrimination' refer to?
Discrimination based on eye color
Unfair treatment due to genetic information
Favoring one species over another
Excluding individuals from biology research
Explanation - Genetic discrimination occurs when individuals are treated unfairly in employment, insurance, or other areas because of their genetic profile.
Correct answer is: Unfair treatment due to genetic information
Q.3 Which international declaration emphasizes human rights in genetic research?
Helsinki Declaration
UNESCO Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
Explanation - The UNESCO declaration highlights the importance of protecting human rights in genetic and genomic research.
Correct answer is: UNESCO Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights
Q.4 Which ethical issue arises from direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits?
Lack of government subsidies
Risk of misinterpretation of results
High number of laboratory errors
Limited DNA sample collection
Explanation - Without professional counseling, consumers may misinterpret genetic test results, leading to anxiety or false reassurance.
Correct answer is: Risk of misinterpretation of results
Q.5 Informed consent in genetic testing ensures that:
Patients are paid for participation
Participants fully understand risks and benefits
Doctors avoid liability
Research is completed faster
Explanation - Informed consent ensures individuals voluntarily agree to testing after understanding potential outcomes and risks.
Correct answer is: Participants fully understand risks and benefits
Q.6 Which law in the United States protects individuals from genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment?
HIPAA
GINA
FDA Act
Affordable Care Act
Explanation - The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibits discrimination based on genetic information in employment and health insurance.
Correct answer is: GINA
Q.7 Why is confidentiality especially important in genetic counseling?
Genetic data can predict family health risks
Doctors must always keep records secret
It reduces laboratory mistakes
It lowers costs of healthcare
Explanation - Genetic information can reveal health risks not only for the patient but also for relatives, making confidentiality essential.
Correct answer is: Genetic data can predict family health risks
Q.8 Which of the following is an example of an ethical concern in prenatal genetic testing?
Accuracy of microscopes
Potential for selective termination of pregnancies
Storage of blood samples
Availability of counseling centers
Explanation - Prenatal testing raises concerns about selective abortion based on genetic findings, which is a major ethical issue.
Correct answer is: Potential for selective termination of pregnancies
Q.9 What is a primary concern with genetic enhancement technologies?
Creating inequality between individuals
Improving treatment success rates
Increasing lifespan
Reducing hospital costs
Explanation - Genetic enhancement may widen social inequalities if only certain groups can access such technologies.
Correct answer is: Creating inequality between individuals
Q.10 Which concept emphasizes respect for individual choice in genetic testing?
Justice
Autonomy
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Autonomy means individuals have the right to make their own decisions, including whether or not to undergo genetic testing.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.11 What ethical issue is associated with genetic databases used in research?
Low number of volunteers
Potential misuse of personal data
High research costs
Slow data processing
Explanation - Genetic databases must be carefully regulated to prevent misuse of sensitive personal and familial genetic data.
Correct answer is: Potential misuse of personal data
Q.12 What is the main legal concern about patenting human genes?
It increases cost of laboratory materials
It may limit access to diagnostic tests and treatments
It prevents ethical debates
It reduces clinical trial participation
Explanation - If genes are patented, access to diagnostic tests and potential treatments could be restricted or made expensive.
Correct answer is: It may limit access to diagnostic tests and treatments
Q.13 Which type of genetic test raises concern for testing without consent?
Forensic DNA analysis
Nutritional genetics
Population genetics
Agricultural genetics
Explanation - Forensic DNA databases may include samples collected without proper consent, raising significant legal and ethical concerns.
Correct answer is: Forensic DNA analysis
Q.14 Which principle is violated if genetic information is shared without permission?
Confidentiality
Justice
Utility
Transparency
Explanation - Sharing genetic data without permission breaches confidentiality, one of the core ethical principles in medicine.
Correct answer is: Confidentiality
Q.15 Why are genetic tests for late-onset diseases ethically complex?
They are more expensive
Results may cause psychological distress long before symptoms appear
They are less accurate
They are used only in older adults
Explanation - Knowing genetic risk for late-onset diseases can cause long-term anxiety and affect life decisions.
Correct answer is: Results may cause psychological distress long before symptoms appear
Q.16 What is the role of genetic counseling in ethical practice?
To ensure families pay for tests
To provide accurate information and emotional support
To conduct lab experiments
To reduce costs of genetic testing
Explanation - Genetic counseling helps patients and families understand test results and make informed choices.
Correct answer is: To provide accurate information and emotional support
Q.17 What is one concern with gene editing technologies like CRISPR in humans?
Potential off-target mutations
Reduced crop yield
Slower laboratory results
Limited availability of PCR
Explanation - Gene editing can unintentionally alter other parts of the genome, leading to safety and ethical concerns.
Correct answer is: Potential off-target mutations
Q.18 Why is testing children for adult-onset conditions controversial?
Children cannot provide informed consent
Tests are too cheap
Tests require invasive procedures
Tests are not available worldwide
Explanation - Testing minors for adult-onset conditions limits their autonomy and raises ethical debates about timing of testing.
Correct answer is: Children cannot provide informed consent
Q.19 What is the risk of employers accessing workers' genetic information?
Higher research costs
Unjustified workplace discrimination
Loss of job benefits
Increased lab workload
Explanation - Employers could misuse genetic information to discriminate against workers perceived as health risks.
Correct answer is: Unjustified workplace discrimination
Q.20 Which of the following best describes 'genetic privacy'?
Ownership of DNA samples
Protection of an individual's genetic data from misuse
Ability to destroy laboratory results
Government funding for genetics research
Explanation - Genetic privacy refers to protecting personal genetic data from unauthorized access or use.
Correct answer is: Protection of an individual's genetic data from misuse
Q.21 What ethical issue arises from whole genome sequencing?
Incidental findings unrelated to the primary test
Low cost of sequencing
Fewer doctors available
Limited computing capacity
Explanation - Whole genome sequencing may reveal unrelated findings that could cause ethical dilemmas about disclosure.
Correct answer is: Incidental findings unrelated to the primary test
Q.22 Why is equitable access to genetic technologies important?
To reduce environmental impact
To prevent social inequality
To shorten hospital stays
To increase profits for companies
Explanation - If only wealthy groups can afford genetic technologies, it may increase social and health inequalities.
Correct answer is: To prevent social inequality
Q.23 What is the concern with genetic testing for non-medical traits (e.g., intelligence)?
It can encourage genetic determinism and discrimination
It makes tests more expensive
It slows medical research
It requires complex equipment
Explanation - Testing for non-medical traits risks reinforcing stereotypes and promoting genetic determinism.
Correct answer is: It can encourage genetic determinism and discrimination
Q.24 Which ethical principle requires fairness in the distribution of genetic services?
Beneficence
Justice
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Justice ensures fairness and equal access to healthcare resources, including genetic services.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.25 What is a potential ethical issue with ancestry DNA testing companies?
Misuse of data for law enforcement without consent
Increased tourism
Reduced healthcare costs
Shorter waiting times
Explanation - Some ancestry DNA companies have shared genetic data with law enforcement without explicit consent, raising privacy concerns.
Correct answer is: Misuse of data for law enforcement without consent