There have already been cases where insurance companies have obtained the information and then refused to insure the individual. One case was of a woman that discovered her unborn child had the gene for cystic fibrosis. Her insurance company informed her they would fund an abortion, but if she chose to have the child, they would not pay for treatments the child may require. This type of case is becoming more evident because there are no present laws protecting the patients privacy and rights. Various ethics debates involved in gene therapy are controlling fate by altering germline cells and the effect of knowing one s fate.
Many debates are about altering germline cells.
When germline cells are altered, they are altered to better the fate of the child. Many people do not believe it is right to take control of fate. Others believe we were given the knowledge and ability to better a child s fate. Another debate concerns the devastating affects of knowing one s ill fate. Depending on the person, they may either decide to live life to the fullest, or they may just give up.