CLE 112 – Genetics Assignment Instructions
Genetics Assignment
Instructions
Read the following case studies relating to genetics. Choose one (Therapy vs. Enhancement or
Newborn Screening) and answer the questions that follow it. Please include in-text citations for
quoted and paraphrased material. Please include at least two references in APA format at the
bottom of the assignment.
Therapy vs. Enhancement
Scientists in New Jersey have recently inserted a gene to create a mouse with increased capacity for learning and memory — basically, a gene that increased the animal’s intelligence quotient (IQ).
Normal average human IQ is about 100. Sometimes IQ can go up to the 130s, 140s, 150s, etc. An IQ of about 70 or below is considered to indicate mental disability. Although currently highly
theoretical and perhaps impossible, it may in the future become possible to insert a human gene identified through the Human Genome Project to increase human IQ by 30 points.
Consider these two scenarios:
1. A couple has a 5-year-old son with Down’s syndrome with an IQ of 70. They want to use gene therapy to insert a gene to increase their son’s IQ from 70 to 100 in order for him to function normally. This is gene therapy, where technology is used to help a person function better.
2. Another couple has a 5-year-old son with an IQ of 120. They want to use the technology to bring their son’s IQ up to 150. They feel he would then have a better chance to be accepted to a more prestigious university. This is called gene enhancement, where technology is used to help a person who is already at or above functioning levels to enhance a particular characteristic.
Questions
1) Conduct your own research and present both sides of the argument for gene therapy. Why should it be offered? Why shouldn’t it be offered? Include how these two sides apply to current legal guidelines and include and identify specific ethical codes of a medical profession that must be considered for this topic.
2) After presenting both sides of the gene therapy argument, please share your own opinion. Should gene therapy be offered? Why do you feel this way?
3) How is gene therapy different from genetic enhancement? Should gene technology be used for gene enhancement? Why or why not?
4) Who should decide whether gene therapy should be offered? Parents? Doctors? The Government? Society? Someone else? Explain your answer.
Newborn Screening
Al and Marsha Jones just had their first child. Marsha had a perfectly normal pregnancy and their
son appears, at birth, to be perfectly normal. It is quite a surprise when the doctor calls them a few
days after they take the baby home and asks them to bring him in for more tests. The doctor asks
that both the mother and father come along because he wants to talk to them.
In his office the doctor says that a blood test was done while the baby was in the hospital as
required by law. The test shows that the baby might have a genetic disease called phenylketonuria
(PKU). However, more tests are needed to be sure. The Jones are told not to worry because there is
a treatment for the condition. Neither Marsha nor Al has ever heard of the disease nor has anyone in
their family.
Questions
1)
Conduct your own research and present both sides of the argument for newborn
screening. Should parents have a chance to refuse? Why shouldn’t they have the
chance to refuse? Please include how these two sides apply to current legal guidelines
and identify specific ethical codes of a medical profession that must be considered for
this topic. This question can be answered in table or paragraph format.
2)
After presenting both sides of the argument, please share your own opinion. Should
parents have the right to refuse newborn screening? Why do you feel this way?
3)
If you were Al or Marsha Jones, what would you do next?
4)
Should screening for diseases or defects be allowed when there is no cure or
treatment? Why or why not?
Writing Mechanics
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Proofread and correct all errors in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
Follow APA formatting guidelines.
Submission Instructions
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Submit your file as a Word document (.docx).
Include the term Genetics and your Last Name when saving your file. Example:
Genetics_Smith.docx
Upload your completed document using the Browse button, and then click the Submit
button.