Topic: Genetic Testing and the Impact on Treating Huntington’s Disease

Write a 2 paragraph essay after- Reading an article & talking to the text Researching Huntington’s Disease Discuss the pros & cons of genetic testing Time Frame: class time, HW due date- ____________

Article – Genetic Testing for Huntington’s Disease – Read, highlight, take notes Graphic Organizer -¶ 1

Pros & Cons of Genetic Testing for Huntington’s disease – Power point – ¶ 2 and ¶ 3 2 packets & internet resources

Laboratory methods that look at your genes, which are DNA instructions you inherit from a biological mother and father Genetic tests can identify increased risks of some health problems and may help to choose treatments or assess response to treatments

1.If someone has signs of a genetic disease 2.Someone has an increases risk to get a disease in the future (family history) 3.A disease might pass on to future children 4.A pregnant woman want the fetus to be tested for a disease

Gene tests – individual genes or short lengths of DNA are tested Chromosomal test – whole chromosomes or very long lengths of DNA are tested Biochemical tests – protein levels or enzymes are tested

Gene tests look for the signs of a disease or disorder in the DNA taken from a person’s cells (saliva, blood, skin, etc.) These tests look for changes in the base’s code in the DNA (such as a gene that has a section missing or added)

Chromosome tests such as Karyotypes look at features of a person’s chromosomes including…. 1. the structure and number 2. arrangement 3. changes such as pieces of a chromosome being deleted, expanded, or switched to a different location

Genes contain DNA for making proteins, abnormal proteins can mean that some genes are not working normally These types of tests are often used to screen newborn babies

1.Provides more information about disease that runs in families and getting possible treatments (if available) 2. Health care decisions 3. Provides Information for relatives 4. Emotional benefits if they do not have the gene for the disease 5. Contribution to research

1.Unsure or incorrect test results (does not always mean the gene will cause the disorder) 2. Emotional implications (sad, angry or anxious) 3. Discrimination by health, life, and disability insurers and employers