By: Lou Ann Witte

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Genetic Testing

• By Lou Ann Witte
• Medina Valley Middle School
• Louann.witte_at_mvisd.com

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What is Genetic Testing?

• Genetic testing examines genetic materials to
  find gene mutations
• Direct examination of DNA molecule detects
  genetic disorders
• A DNA sample can be obtained from any tissue

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Topic Web

Ethics
Genetic Ancestry
Laws
Cost
Genetic Testing
Human Genome Project
Genetic Counseling
Social Issues
Genetic Engineering
Prenatal Gene Therapy
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Genetic Tests Used for

• Carrier Screening identifying unaffected
  individuals who carry one copy of a gene for a
  disease
• Screens genetic flaws among embryos used in in
  vitro fertilization
• Prenatal diagnostic testing
• Newborn screening

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GT Uses continued

• Presymptomatic testing for predicting
  adult-onset disorders
• Confirmation of diagnosis for symptomatic
  individuals
• Forensic/identity testing

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Inside Cells

• Cells working units of every living system
• Cell Nucleus contains chromosomes
• Chromosomes 23 pairs in humans which are made
  up of DNA
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) - instructions needed
  to direct all activities
• Genes a section of DNA that is coded for a
  specific trait

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Inside a Cell
DNA (Chromosomes)
NUCLEUS
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DNA

• DNA base pairs
• A pairs with T
• G pairs with C
• YouTube - Genetics 101 Part 1 What are genes?

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Gene a section of DNA
GENE
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23 pairs of Chromosomes

• The Human Genome Project mapped every gene on
  these chromosomes. There are 20,000-25,000 genes
  on the chromosomes.

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HUMAN GENOME PROJECT

• 13 year project by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and
  National Institutes of Health
• Goals
• Identify 20,000 25,000 genes in the
  human DNA
• Store information in genome databases
• Improve tools for data analysis
• Transfer technology to private sector
• Address ethical, legal and social issues that
  arise from the project

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Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing

• Predictive tests will not give a yes/no answer
• Genetic tests can not guarantee the disease will
  develop
• Cannot predict how severely the person carrying
  the gene will be affected
• Many diseases are the result of interaction
  between genes and environment
• Negative test results may decrease your quality
  of life

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Pros and Cons continued

• Genetic testing is expensive insurance doesnt
  cover most tests
• Validity of tests questioned because of the
  margin of error associated with tests
• Normal test may lull you into a false sense of
  security
• Tests may reveal you are susceptible to heart
  disease so you make changes to your lifestyle
• Helps new parents make decisions about birth of
  child with special needs

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More Pros and Cons

• An innocent person could be convicted of a crime
  because of inaccurate DNA testing
• A person cannot alter their DNA since DNA is
  unaffected by outside contaminants
• DNA can be used to identify family members
• DNA is the most precise method of identifying
  criminals and victims
• Trace amounts of DNA at a crime scene can falsely
  implicate an innocent person

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Trends of Genetic Testing

• Genetic knowledge may be used to deny
• employment
• social services
• insurance benefits (health and life)
• drivers license
• loans from banks
• mortgages on houses
• medical treatment
• military service

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More Trends

• Pre marital genetic testing to determine
  compatibility
• Carrier screenings given to certain ethnic groups
  at high risk for diseases (Tay Sachs Jewish,
  Sickle Cell Blacks)
• Fetal gene therapy to diseases or problems found
  before a child is born
• Cures for most of todays common diseases
• Individuals alter their DNA to enhance
  appearances, athletic abilities, and mental
  capacity

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Future Olympian?

• Is your unborn child a future Olympian?

Genetic testing can hold the answer!
Genetic Olympian Corp. will test your child and
offer gene therapy to ensure exceptional athletic
abilities!!!
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Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

• GINA is a federal law that protects Americans
  from being treated unfairly because of
  differences in their DNA
• Prevents discrimination from health insurers and
  employers on basis of DNA
• Does not cover life insurance, disability
  insurance and long-term care insurance

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23andMe

• A privately held personal genomics and
  biotechnology company based in Mountain View,
  Calif., 23andMe, claims to be developing new
  methods and technologies that will enable
  consumers to understand their own genetic
  information.
• Genetic Testing for Health, Disease Ancestry
  DNA Test - 23andMe
• Founders Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki (married
  to Sergey Brin the founder of Google)

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Questions to Consider

1. Who should have access to personal genetic
   information and how will it be used?
2. Who owns and controls genetic information?
3. What are the larger societal issues raised by new
   reproductive technologies?
4. How do we prepare the public to make informed
   choices?
5. Should testing be performed when no treatment is
   available?
6. Should parents have the right to have their minor
   children tested for adult-onset diseases?

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More Questions

1. Do peoples genes make them behave in a
   particular way?
2. Where is the line between medical treatment and
   enhancement?
3. Are GM (genetically modified) foods and other
   products safe to humans and the environment?
4. Who owns genes and other pieces of DNA?
5. Will patenting DNA sequences limit their
   accessibility and development into useful
   products?

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Websites

• www.genome.gov (has info for educators and
  students)
• www.ndsu.edu/pubweb
• www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/projec
  t/info
• www.ehow.com/about_5397146_genetic-testing-pros-co
  ns
• www.cnn.com/HEALTH/bioethics/9808/genetics.part1/
• www.allaboutpopularissues.org/human-genome-project
  .htm
• www.genomics.energy.gov (ordered poster here-
  free)
• www.23andme.com
• MOVIE Gattaca featured a world where
  children were genetically constructed for
  perfection there are two classes of humans
  those who are genetically perfect and those who
  are genetically inferior