FOCUS FOR MEDIA INTERACTION WORKSHEET

Answer these questions in your notebook during the video.

1. What do a banana and a human have in common?

2. List the genetic diseases mentioned.

3. Make a table with the two headings: Hopeful effects and Harmful effects of the Human Genome Project.

4. Are genes private property? Should they be patented so the discoverer can make money? Should anyone make money with this information?

5. Discuss the fact that some plants and animals have already been genetically modified. Is this O.K.?

Post Video Questions for discussion. Answer these after the video.

Gene Therapy vs. Gene Enhancement To answer these questions assume the following: A company has discovered a gene that increases your IQ by 25 points.

1. Should a couple use gene therapy to increase their Downs Syndrome child’s IQ from 75 to 100? This is a case where technology is used to help a person function better.

2. Should a couple use gene enhancement to raise their child’s IQ from 120 to 145? This is called gene enhancement, where technology is used to help a person to enhance a particular characteristic.

3. Should gene technology be used for gene therapy? Why or why not?

4. Should gene technology be used for gene enhancement? Why or why not?

5. Who should decide? Parents? Doctors? Government? Society? Someone else?

Gene Patenting

1. What do you think about patenting a gene that already exists in the human body?

2. Should the government allow this gene to be patented? Why or why not?

3. Some think that genes should not be patented because they are a medical discovery and not an invention, and everyone should be allowed to use he information without paying. What do you think?

4. If, in the future, a business develops a test for this gene, should it be allowed to patent the test? Why or why not

Newborn Screening
A blood test is performed on a newborn as required by law. The test reveals a genetic disease that can be treated.

1. If all newborns are going to be screened, should parents have a chance to refuse? Why or why not?

2. Should screening for diseases or defects be allowed when there is no cure or treatment? Why or why not?

3. Why might someone not want his or her child screened?

4. In the future, many more tests for genetic conditions will be available. Should we test all newborns for these, too? Why or why not?

Genetic Discrimination
A man’s father dies of a genetic disease at age 40. The son decides to be tested for this gene and discovers that he has the genetic mutation for the disease. His health and life insurance companies have access to this information and cancel his policies. His employer has access to this information asks that he leave his job. The employer is worried about future medical expenses for this man.

1. What would you do if you were the son?

2. Should the company be allowed to make decisions based on medical information from his DNA? Why or why not?

3. Should the company be able to make his information available to other companies that are interviewing him for a job? Why or why not?

Idaho Public Television
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