Transcript Slide 1 - Cloudfront.net

Another one bites the dust
David and his fiancé were sitting in the counselor’s office again, this time at
David’s request.
So that’s why I’d like to
have a gene test. To see if
I carry any bad genes. I’m
not going to stay a
bachelor forever. At least,
not if Kate has her way.
Ha ha.
Only when those genetic
There’s
Well,
noare
such
yousignificant
know
thing that
as enough
aseveral
“bad
changes
gene.”
genes
Genes
for
exist
many
forbad
verydo
genetic
good
to affect
health
or fitness
we
reasons.
are
have
differences
been
in
thinkdisorders
of There
them as
“bad.”
Butdiscovered
genes.
There
can
are
be changes
tested “bad”
for,inbut
genes.
there
evenand
some
apparently
These
isdifferences
no “universal”
that test
we have
for “bad
are
genes
can
be good.
what accounts
genes.” for all the wonderful
traits that we see in people.
My fiancé is a little
nervous about
marrying into a
family with so
many… problems.
She wants my
genes tested.
She’s been
reading about…
No.
…CF. Cystic
fibrosis. I manage
the claims
department at the
So
Fortune-Simplex
David’s sister
Stacy
Health
and
Plan
herand
husband
I’m seeing
aremore
healthier
and more
because
claims
they
for CF
each
carrier
carry a
PKU
testing.
gene?
We’d really
like to be tested
too. No.
We can’t say they’re
For example,
gene
healthier,
but a the
serious
that causes
sicklelike
cell
recessive
disorder
Is there
a history
of
disease
is
thought
to
give
Ok…just
how
much
PKUCF
should
have
in either
of your
a survival
advantage
do you
knowago
about
disappeared
ages
if it
families?
against
malaria
if
a
person
cystic fibrosis?
didn’t provide
some sort of
is
a
carrier.
advantage to the carrier.
Cystic Fibrosis
• Autosomal recessive
• Faulty gene (chromosome 7)
causes mucus to build up in
lungs,
– Leads to bacterial infections
• Lung damage usually causes
early death
• Treatments: Transplants,
chest thumping, antibiotics
Well….we….
would…
But once you know. What would
you do with that information? What
if one of you were a carrier? Would
Wouldn’t it beyou
the stay together? Would your
responsible thing
to
company
cover someone they
do? Shouldn’tknew
we to be a carrier? Would your
know about our
company promote you? Even
bad… I meancontinue to employ
So why
do
you want
you
if
they
But
what ifwould
you
potentially harmful
to
know
you
are
knew you weredoa with
carrier?
These
that
… know.
genes?
We
carriers
of CF?
are questions you
should
consider
information?
would just
before you do the test.
know.
We’d know if we
could have a
baby with CF.
My assistant’s son had CF.
They all had a daily regime of
If we find exercises,
that one ofand
you is a carrier, and you
medications,
decideHe’s
to pursue
prenatal
therapies.
a great
kid. testing, we may not be
Carrier
testing will
give you
a better
ablehoping
to provide
answer
about
the child.
They’re
for aa definitive
thegene
chance
that
you We
could
Let’s say we
find theof
CF
in the
fetus.
breakthrough,
aestimate
genetic
cure.
have
aAs
child
long
as you’re
CF.had
It can’t
aware
ofyou
the
for a
couldn’t
say
whether
thewith
fetus
CF
ortell
was
only
They’re
a part
of
a big
research
certain,
limitations,
but it can
you’re
give that
you
welcome
information
to
carrier
since
be sure
we’ve
ruled
program
down
atwe
thecouldn’t
University.
thatCF
you
have
might
the
find
testing.
useful.
ButBut
itnot
isyou
not should
out a second
gene,
one
that
we’re
able
to
be prepared
recommended.
to deal with all the answers
test for.
that you might get.
Human Genetic Research
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
General study information?
Benefits?
Risks?
Financial considerations?
Storage of samples?
Family participation?
Confidentiality?
Research results?
So if I take folic acid
before
Maybe
weI’m
pregnant, it shouldshould
help tothink
avoid
birth defects?
about this some
more.
I know
that
you’re
interested
in
Yes.
Not
smoking.
It’s a
simple
Noapproach,
drugs
or alcohol.
and
making
suremedications
that any
children
are
you
Review
can start
any
today.
These
you are
born healthy.
There
are
many
vitamins
taking
with
areyour
available
family
“over
doctor.
theDid
things
you
can
do David’s
before
counter.”
you
know
Take
that
these
folic
acid,
pamphlets
a vitamin,
to
Yep…
pregnancy
to
help
your
review.
can
help
Letreduce
me
know
theimprove
ifrisk
I can
of neural
help
bachelor
days
chances
of Have
having
healthy
some
tube
defects?
more.
nice day.
areaover.
children.
Essay #5
• Services for people with severe genetic
conditions such as CF can impose a financial
burden on society. Do you feel that parents who
are known carriers of such genetic conditions
and who choose to have children anyway
should receive these services? Is it society’s
obligation to provide such services when the
parents could have avoided the problem?