"DNA AGE"

In Harmon's Pulitzer Prize winning articles "The DNA Age" featured in the New York Times, Amy Harmon discusses through series of events in 16 articles dealing with the controversial and ethical issues of DNA testing. Today in our modern society technology has expanded greatly and has allowed us to explore endless possibilities. With almost any question brought up in the scientific world looking to be answered follows a new set of questions dealing with ethics. Ethics within science constrains and sets boundaries that are pushed by questions and testing looking to be done. Harmon brings about in her articles the issue of what is morally right and what are the limits with DNA testing. These articles were addressed to broad range of readers; though everyone may not be interested or aware with DNA testing everyone is affected and related to the topic. These articles were written in a journalistic informative manner and served for many purposes. The articles informed the unaware of DNA testing and current issues that go along with it; and the articles also served for people that were in similar situations as those in the articles and who were looking for answers. Her writings covered various topics that included information on new and advanced technology, issues with the current economy and also covered the medical and scientific aspects dealing with DNA testing.

Examples of moral deliberations with DNA testing Harmon mentions parents that are using preimplantation to get rid of embryos that may carry or pass diseases. This new screening process and future attempt to eradicate Down syndrome has affected people with Down syndrome and has changed the public minds to think that this disease is more of a freakish one rather than just a disability. Harmon mentioned how there is an increase of genetically engineered dogs and how this might be a preview of genetic engineering of humans. Harmon also introduced a woman who had health breasts surgically removed because of genetic predictions of potentially getting cancer. All of these are examples of the ethical dilemmas brought up with DNA testing.

Harmon does a great job making a connection with the reader and keeps them interested and concerned and also leaves her articles open ended and leaves the reader wanting to learn more. She also makes the reader feel sympathetic by introducing personal stories of people who have been affected by this issue. "Then they donned gloves, mixed grout in a large bucket of water and began the job." This statement from one of the articles, Harmon shows how a woman who was diagnosed with Huntington’s is just like any other person and goes on with daily activities and connects with the reader and makes them feel that it could happen to anyone. Harmon’s writing style, technique and interesting topic all lead to the winning of the Pulitzer Prize.