Transcript 4.1 Intro to Bioengineering

Genetic Testing and Gene Therapy

Catalyst:
Why
do you think this frog has six legs?
Catalyst Review

Catalyst:
Why
do you think this frog has six legs?
Biotechnology

Biotechnology = technology based
on life
Medicines
Genetic
testing
Gene therapy
Cloning
Stem cell research
Human Genome Project

Key Point #1: In
2003, scientists
created a map of
the human genome
 Genome
= all your
genetic information
 Scientists determined
the sequence of bases
that make up human
DNA in five test
subjects
Genetic Testing

Key Point #2: Genetic testing allows
individuals to know the content of their
genes
 Actionable
disorders
 Mutant
BRCA gene = 85% risk of breast cancer
 Early treatments (mammogram, hormone therapy,
mastectomy)
 Non-actionable
 What
disorders
if you have the gene for Alzheimer’s disease?
 No treatment. Do you still want to know?
Genetic counseling

Genetic counseling
 You
and your partner submit DNA for testing
 Find out how likely it is that your child will
inherit a genetic disorder

Family planning
 Do
you want to conceive a child or adopt?
 Early treatment
Gene Therapy

Key Point #3: In gene therapy, scientists
insert genes into patients' cells to treat a
disease
 Germ
line gene therapy = alter sperm/eggs so
that future children will not have genetic disorder
 Somatic gene therapy = insert new genes into
YOUR body cells to fix a genetic disorder
 Only
way to help people already born
 Risk of causing genetic problems if done incorrectly
Eugenics
 Eugenics
= practice of encouraging
“good
WHO determines
what is good
genes” and getting rid of “bad” ones.
and
what
is
bad?
 Sounds great, right?
 Will
people
FAIR to
 Prevent
sufferingin
by power
eliminatingbe
genetic
disorders
those who are not?
 Save money by not having to research/treat
 What
happens to those who are
these disorders
 Stronger people
in society could
pushGOOD
deemed
genetically
NOT
boundaries in unknown ways
ENOUGH?
 Healthier, happier people

Biotechnology is good. And bad.
We need to critically think
about what we are doing
and analyze the positive
AND negatives of what is
going on.

Scenario 1

Counsyl, a genetics company, recently
developed a home test for genetic disorders. If
two individuals submit a bit of saliva, Counsyl
will tell them how likely their children are to
have any of 100+ genetic disorders.
Why would some people want to be tested?
 Why would some people not want to be tested?
 Which side do you agree with? Explain why.

Scenario 2

With a simple genetic test, women can find out
whether they possess a mutated BRCA1 or
BRCA2 gene. Women with mutated BRCA
genes have about an 80% risk of developing
breast cancer.
 Why
would some women want to have the test?
 Why would some women not want to have the test?
 Which side do you agree with? Explain why. (If
you’re a man, pretend that you’re a woman.)
Scenario 3

Scientists have developed a test to determine
if you have the gene for Huntington’s Disease.
People affected with Huntington’s Disease
gradually lose control of their body and mind.
There is no cure.
 Why
would some people want to be tested for this
gene?
 Why would some people not want to be tested for
this gene?
 Which side do you agree with? Explain why.
Scenario 4

In 2009, scientists succeeded in giving a
squirrel color vision by inserting a new gene
into its cells. Scientists hope to be able to do
the same thing to humans in the near future.
 What
type of gene therapy is this?
 Why would some people support this research?
 Why would some people not support this research?
 Which side do you agree with? Explain why.
Scenario 5

Many people believe that, in the future, we will
be able to alter the genes in sperm and egg
cells to create “designer babies” – parents will
be able to pick and choose their children’s
traits.
 What
type of gene therapy is this?
 Why would some people want designer babies?
 Why would some people not want designer babies?
 Which side do you agree with? Explain why.
Homework



Explain to someone not in this class (such as relative)
how genetic testing and germ line/somatic gene
therapy work.
Write on paragraph describing whether they agree
or disagree with EACH of these technologies.
Write a second paragraph explaining whether you
agree or disagree with EACH of these technologies
yourself.
Key Point Wrap-Up



Key Point #1: In 2003, scientists created a map of
the human genome
Key Point #2: Genetic testing allows individuals to
know the content of their genes
Key Point #3: In gene therapy, scientists insert
genes into patients' cells to treat a disease
Germ line gene therapy = insert genes into sperm/eggs
 Somatic gene therapy = insert new genes into body cells

Exit Question


Write in complete sentences!
Don’t talk during the Exit Question!
Alzheimer’s is an incurable and fatal genetic disorder.
Patients suffer from memory loss, and the loss of the
ability to control their bodies.
 Would you want to be tested for Alzheimer’s?
Explain why or why not.
Imagine that scientists could cure Alzheimer’s by
inserting new genes into your body cells.
 What type of gene therapy would this be?
 Why would some people support this treatment?
Why would other people oppose it?