By: Lou Ann Witte Medina Valley Middle School Genetic Testing

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

Topic Web Genetic Testing Laws Ethics Cost Genetic Counseling Human Genome Project Genetic Engineering Social Issues Prenatal Gene Therapy Genetic Ancestry

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  Newbor n screening

GT Uses continued:  Presymptomatic testing for predicting adult-onset disorders  Confirmation of diagnosis for symptomatic individuals  Forensic/identity testing

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

Inside a Cell DNA (Chromosomes) NUCLEUS

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

Gene – a section of DNA GENE

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

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

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

Pros and Cons continued:  Genetic testing is expensive – insurance doesn’t 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

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

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

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 today’s common diseases  Individuals alter their DNA to enhance appearances, athletic abilities, and mental capacity

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!!!

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

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)

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?

More Questions 7.Do people’s genes make them behave in a particular way? 8.Where is the line between medical treatment and enhancement? 9.Are GM (genetically modified) foods and other products safe to humans and the environment? 10.Who owns genes and other pieces of DNA? 11.Will patenting DNA sequences limit their accessibility and development into useful products?

Websites (has info for educators and students) (ordered poster here- free) 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