Genetics and Family Health Chapter 11

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of therapeutic cloning?

To restore extinct species through cloning

To generate copies of embryonic stem cells for tissue repair (correct)

To produce genetically modified animals for meat production

To create whole animals for research purposes

Which type of stem cells can become almost any type of body cell?

Multipotent stem cells

Totipotent stem cells

Pluripotent stem cells (correct)

Unipotent stem cells

What significant event is associated with the clone named Dolly?

Dolly was a genetically modified pig

Dolly was created from a single maternal cell (correct)

Dolly lived longer than typical sheep

Dolly was the first cloned human

Which of the following is a common use of genetically modified mice in research?

To model human diseases Signup and view all the answers

What type of stem cells are limited to developing into a few types of tissues?

Multipotent stem cells Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the outcomes of Dolly the sheep’s cloning experiment?

She developed conditions associated with aging prematurely Signup and view all the answers

How may cloning help in the area of medicine?

By producing organisms that generate medicinal substances Signup and view all the answers

Which animal was famously cloned in 1996?

A sheep named Dolly Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concerns might arise from cloning a child to resemble one parent?

The other parent could develop resentment towards the child. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be a potential limitation of gene therapy?

Not all diseases can be treated effectively with gene therapy. Signup and view all the answers

What is somatic gene therapy?

Inserting normal copies of a gene into diseased cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases can be treated with dietary interventions?

Phenylketonuria Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential societal implication of cloning technology?

Cloning could lead to increased social stratification. Signup and view all the answers

Why are most states enacting laws against human cloning?

The ethical questions surrounding cloning are complex. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Human Cloning Prohibition Act aim to achieve?

To ban the cloning of humans. Signup and view all the answers

How can maternal treatment impact a fetus with a genetic condition?

It may involve administering medications to the mother. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of genetic counselors?

To explain test results and address related questions Signup and view all the answers

Which genetic disease is solely caused by a mutation in one gene?

Sickle cell anemia Signup and view all the answers

What does the term genetic discrimination refer to?

Differential treatment based on genetic differences Signup and view all the answers

What does the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibit?

Employers from discriminating based on genetic information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following health conditions is associated with an environmental trigger along with genetic factors?

Obesity Signup and view all the answers

Which legislation prevents health insurers from denying coverage based on genetic information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Signup and view all the answers

How do environmental factors contribute to the onset of some genetic diseases?

They interact with genetic mutations. Signup and view all the answers

What causes Down syndrome?

Abnormalities in the number of chromosomes Signup and view all the answers

What legal doctrine allows the state to override parental decisions for a child's welfare?

Parens patriae Signup and view all the answers

Which federal act established guidelines concerning adoption that still affect adoptive parents?

Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 Signup and view all the answers

What legally defines the rights of newborns in the context of healthcare?

The same as any American citizen of any age Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the increase in infant abandonment cases?

Establishment of safe haven laws in all states Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions may physicians legally withhold treatment from a severely disabled newborn?

If treatment is deemed futile or would cause suffering Signup and view all the answers

What law offers protection against genetic discrimination in the workplace?

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Signup and view all the answers

Under the ADA, what cannot be a basis for denying insurance to a person with a disability?

Increased risks associated with the disability Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons mothers have been reported to abandon their infants?

Fear or desperation Signup and view all the answers

Which of these acts does NOT relate to adoption provisions?

Civil Rights Act Signup and view all the answers

What process involves creating an exact genetic replica of an organism?

Cloning Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'safe haven laws' refer to?

Laws permitting a parent to abandon a newborn legally and safely Signup and view all the answers

Which application of genetic engineering involves introducing genes from one species to another?

Genetic modification Signup and view all the answers

Why do geneticists clone genes?

To create exact replicas for study Signup and view all the answers

What type of cloning focuses specifically on DNA segments?

Gene cloning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a genetically engineered crop that includes enhanced traits?

Soybean resistant to herbicides Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of cloning genes?

To research gene functions Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of cloning pigs?

To grow organs for human transplantation Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern do some groups express about using animals for xenotransplantation?

Animals should live freely without human intervention Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is associated with clones that have been born alive?

Large-offspring syndrome Signup and view all the answers

Why is there significant concern about the success rate of animal cloning?

Many clones do not survive birth Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of deactivating insulin-like growth factor 2 receptors during cloning?

Overgrowth leading to large body size Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with human cloning, based on current knowledge?

The processes are poorly understood Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable issue faced by cloned animals like Dolly the sheep?

Early death from infections and complications Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial aspect of concern regarding mental development in cloning, especially for humans?

Intellect and mood may differ significantly Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 11 Objectives

Discuss family history as a predictor of disease risk.
Identify appropriate uses for DNA testing and explain how such tests might lead to genetic discrimination.
Define genetic engineering and explain why cloning and stem cell research are controversial issues.
Explain three possible remedies for couples experiencing infertility problems.
List those laws affecting healthcare that pertain especially to children's rights.

Vocabulary

Heredity: the process by which genetic traits are passed to offspring.
Genetics: the science that explains differences and similarities between people and organisms related by descent.
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, the makeup of chromosomes.
Gene: a small part of DNA used to build proteins.

Figure 11.1

Cell nucleus contains 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Chromosomes contain genes which are made up of bases.
DNA strand is a double helix.

DNA Overview

The relationship between DNA inherited from ancestors and diseases has been scientifically proven.
Family history is a strong risk factor for common disease complexes like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
People also inherit cultural and socioeconomic experiences from families, which can impact health risks.

DNA Continued

Humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in most body cells, except egg and sperm cells, which have 23 chromosomes each.
Chromosomes hold genes which result in human characteristics, including eye, skin, hair color, height, body type, and intelligence.
Genes make up the human genome—all genetic information necessary for a human being.

The Human Genome Project

Funded by the US government, this project aimed to map all genes on the 23 pairs of human chromosomes.
The project was completed ahead of schedule in 2000.
It revealed approximately 20,000 to 25,000 genes in humans, rather than the earlier predicted 100,000.

Testing DNA

Predictive testing: Used to see if genes associated with hereditary diseases are present.
Carrier testing: Used to determine if individuals carry harmful genes that could be passed to offspring.

More Testing

Prenatal testing: Used to detect genetic disorders in utero, such as ultrasound, amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling.
Preimplantation testing: Used to identify harmful genes in embryos before implantation.

And More Testing

Forensic testing: Used in law enforcement to identify suspects or victims.
Tracing lineage: Used to determine parentage.
Newborn screening: Tests for treatable genetic conditions in newborns.
Diagnostic testing: Confirms or rules out genetic diseases.
Medical treatment determination: Used to determine the effectiveness and dosage of medications for each individual.

Genetic Disease

Mutations in DNA often lead to genetic diseases, which can result from a single gene abnormality or multiple gene abnormalities.
Environmental factors (aging, smoking, toxins, etc) can trigger genetic diseases.
Abnormalities in the structure or number of chromosomes can also lead to genetic disease (e.g., Down Syndrome).
Genetic counselors can help patients understand results and address difficult questions.

Genetic Discrimination

Fear of discrimination based on genetic predispositions may affect participant willingness in genetic research or testing.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) has been enacted to prohibit discrimination in the workplace or health insurance.
Other laws may protect against genetic discrimination and limit the use of genetic information.

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering involves altering DNA of an organism to give them new characteristics.
Examples include crops resistant to cold, pests, or to increase beta-carotene content.

Clone

Cloning produces an exact genetic replica from a single ancestor of a cell, tissue or organism.
Gene cloning: Produces copies of genetic segments (genes) for study purposes.
Therapeutic cloning: Creates embryonic stem cells for repair or replacement of damaged tissues.
Reproductive cloning: Produces copies of entire animals.

Clone Continued

Reproductive cloning examples include Dolly the sheep.
Current animal cloning has high failure rates.
Ethical concerns surround the use of cloning on animals and humans.

Exceptions to the Rule

The potential of cloning genetically modified animals to be used for treatments like producing substances needed for, or growing, organs usable for transplantation.
Ethical concerns exist when animals are cloned or tested in this way.
Cloning humans is banned by laws in many countries due to ethical concerns.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy inserts normal genes to correct genetic abnormalities.
Special diets or other approaches help manage genetic diseases.
Gene therapy can replace or block an inefficient or overactive biochemical pathway.
Examples include using in utero cellular therapy or organ transplantation..

Gene Therapy Continued

Somatic gene therapy involves correcting specific gene defects in a patient's cells.
Germ-line gene therapy aims to correct genetic defects in reproductive cells, but faces controversy over ethical and scientific issues.

Infertility

Infertility affects about 10-15% of couples of reproductive age in the US.
Several options for treating infertility include in-vitro fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination, and surrogacy.
IVF involves fertilizing eggs outside the body to enable future implantation in the uterus.

Surrogate/Adoption

A surrogate mother carries a child to term for another couple.
Adoption is another option for couples who wish to raise children but cannot have children.
Laws in 50 states and federal laws govern adoption processes.

Children's Rights

Common law grants parents healthcare decision rights for children, with the caveat that states can step in.
Severely disabled newborns have specific treatment considerations.
Laws address these cases.

Abandonment

Safe haven laws allow parents to leave a newborn in a safe location without legal prosecution
These laws are enacted to ensure a degree of safety for parents in challenging situations.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the intricate connections between genetics, family history, and disease risk in this comprehensive quiz. Understand the significance of DNA testing and the ethical debates surrounding genetic engineering. Additionally, delve into issues related to infertility and children's healthcare rights.