Genetic Mapping

A great gift or science, or a great curse?

(Instructions for the teacher)

This study will place students at opposite end, either for or against, the process of genetic mapping. After students have read their respective sides the will engage in a discussion about this issue. Students will be up to fifteen (15) minuets to read and discuss this issue among their respective sides. After this time they will be placed on opposite sides of the class. The included questions are intended to give a framework to lead the discussion, additional questions may be posed. After the initial question is read each side shall have a one (1) minuet response time. After both sides have responded each side will be given an optional thirty (30) second response time.

(To be read aloud by the teacher)

Genetic mapping is a tool used by science to identify different traits within the human, or another creature’s, genetic code. The genetic code is what makes us who and what we are, both good and bad. This study will place students at opposite end, either for or against, the process of genetic mapping. After you have been given time to discuss in your groups you will then come together as a class and discuss this issue. You will be posed questions that you then must then argue your point on.

Further readings (about genetic mapping) at:

http://www.genome.gov/10000715

http://www.genome.gov/10001772

Genetic Mapping as a gift

Wouldn’t you like to know what makes you “you”? This is what genetic mapping can offer. As science pushes forward we are learning more about who we are and what has made us the way we are. By mapping the human genome we have not just found what makes us sick, but we are also developing ways to cure these diseases.

How would you like to know were you came from? This is actually possible through genetic mapping. National Geographic has a way for the public to find out this information. They can sequence either your mitochondrial DNA or the Y-Chromosome and then show you the migratory path of that specific genetic code. While this holds no help if the development of cures for genetic diseases, it does help to satisfy the basic human question of were we came from (as it relates to genetic origins).

The following is an excerpt from National Geographic News:

Single-letter variations in genes—called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs (pronounced "snips")—are often the culprits behind a wide range of genetic diseases. For example, changing an A to a T in the gene for the blood molecule hemoglobin causes sickle cell anemia. But most diseases and disorders are not caused by a single gene. Instead they are caused by a complex combination of linked genetic variations at multiple sites on different chromosomes.

Gene Mapping

Haplotypes are sets of adjacent SNPs that are closely associated and are inherited as a group. Certain haplotypes are known to have a role in diseases, including Alzheimer's, deep vein thrombosis, type 2 diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Identifying the haplotypes that lead to disease, or immunity from disease, will provide scientists with a deeper understanding of genetic illness.

Researchers hope a map of haplotypes will provide the raw material to answer basic questions, such as how many genes are involved in each disorder? How do gene variants interact with each other? How do genes and combinations of genes interact with environmental factors to cause disease or provide immunity? (Nationalgeographic.com)

Further Readings at:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0603/feature2/map.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1026_051026_dna_hapmap.html

https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html

Genetic Mapping as a curse

Wouldn’t you like to know what makes you “you”? The answer may not be yes. While it would be great to know your genetic make up, this knowledge may end up hurting you more than you think. Would you like to know when you will die? What about knowing that in the last years of your life you will suffer terribly? If you had your genome sequenced this is something you may find out. An example of this is a debilitating disease called Huntington’s disease. This is a genetically inherited disease “that causes certain nerve cells in your brain to waste away” (Mayoclinic.com). This disease does not show up until later in life, generally around your 40’s. This disease causes “uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances and mental deterioration” (Mayoclinic.com). This is just one well known example, but there are also many other genetic diseases or factors there of, that you may find that people may find out they have if they had their genome sequenced.

A question raised by having your genome sequenced goes beyond just finding out if you have one of these terrible diseases, or even if you are simply a carrier (not effected the disease but can pass it on to a child) comes about with health insurance. If you are found to have, as an example, Huntington’s disease and you need to submit health reports in order to get health insurance you may be denied. While you may be many years, even decades, away from even starting to show signs an insurance company may turn you down because you will get sick.

A moral problem comes about if you find you are a carrier for a genetic disease. The question comes if you want to have children. You will know what you could be passing onto them; the other concern that comes about is if your mate has the same carrier status. If they do then there is a chance that a genetic disease could be passed onto your children.

Further reading at

http://scienceblogs.com/geneticfuture/2009/03/arguments_against_routine_scre.php

Discussion Questions

1.) What points do you think give your side strength over the other? Why do you think this?

2.) What other points do you think could be made for your side?

3.) What points about the other side’s view could you find valid?

Work Cited / Sources:

Bakalar, Nicholas (2005 October 26). New DNA Mapping Project to Trace Genetic Ills. Retrieved April 18, 2009, from National Geographic Web site: <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1026_051026_dna_hapmap.html>

MacArthur, Daniel (2009 March 22). Arguments against routine screening for severe disease genes; food for thought. Retrieved April 18, 2009, from Science Blogs: Genetic Future Web site: <http://scienceblogs.com/geneticfuture/2009/03/arguments_against_routine_scre.php>

Mayo Clinic staff, (2007 May 9). Huntington's disease. Retrieved April 18, 2009, from MayoClinic Web site: <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/huntingtons-disease/DS00401>

(2006 March). Human Journey, Human Origins. Retrieved April 18, 2009, from National Geographic Web site: <http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0603/feature2/map.html>

(2008 November 7). All About The Human Genome Project (HGP). Retrieved April 18, 2009, from National human Genome Research Institute Web site: <http://www.genome.gov/10001772>

(2009 Januay 28). Genetic Mapping. Retrieved April 18, 2009, from National human Genome Research Institute Web site: <http://www.genome.gov/10000715>

The Genographic Project. Retrieved April 18, 2009, from National Geographic Web site: <https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html>

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This work is licensed by Alexander Rhodes under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 3.0), and is an Open Educational Resource.

Last edited by Alexander Rhodes on Apr 22, 2009 12:42 pm -0500.