Concept explainers
James sees an online ad for an at-home genetic test that promises to deliver personalized nutritional advice based on an individual’s genetic profile. The company can test for
Once the kits arrive, the family members use cotton swabs to take cell samples from their cheeks and place the swabs in individually labeled envelopes. They mail the envelopes back to the company, along with completed questionnaires regarding their diets. Four weeks later, they receive three individual reports detailing the test results and providing extensive guidelines about what foods they should eat. Among the results is the finding that James has a particular allele in a gene that may make him vulnerable to the presence of free radicals in his cells. The report suggests that he increase his intake of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and highlights a number of foods that are rich in those vitamins. The tests also show that Sally has several genetic variations that indicate that she may be at risk for elevated bone loss. The report recommends that she try to minimize this possibility by increasing her intake of calcium and vitamin D and lists a number of foods she could emphasize in her diet. Finally, the report shows that Patty has a genetic variation that may mean that she has a lowered ability to metabolize saturated fats, putting her at risk for developing heart disease. The report points to ways in which she can lower her intake of saturated fats and lists various types of foods that would be beneficial for her.
A number of companies now offer genetic-testing services, promising to deliver personalized nutritional or other advice based on people’s genetic profiles. Generally, these tests fall into two different categories, with individual companies offering unique combinations of the two. The first type of test detects alleles of known genes that encode proteins that play an established role in, for example, counteracting free radicals in cells or in building up bone. In such cases, it is easy to see why individuals carrying alleles that may encode proteins with lower levels of activity may be more vulnerable to free radicals or more susceptible to bone loss.
A second type of test examines genetic variations that may have no clear biological significance (i.e., they may not occur within a gene or may not have a detectable effect on gene activity) but have been shown to have a statistically significant correlation with a disease or a particular physiological condition. For example, a variation may frequently be detected in individuals with heart disease even though the reason for the correlation between the variation and the disease may be entirely mysterious.
Do you think parents should be able to order such a test for their children? What if the test indicates that a child is at risk for a disease for which there is no known cure?
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 15 Solutions
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
- James sees an online ad for an at-home genetic test that promises to deliver personalized nutritional advice based on an individuals genetic profile. The company can test for genetic variations, the advertisement states, that predispose individuals to developing health conditions such as heart disease and bone loss or that affect how they metabolize certain foods. If such variations are detected, the company can provide specific nutritional advice that will help counteract their effects. Always keen to take any steps available to ensure the best possible health for their family, James and his wife (Sally) decide that they both should be tested, as should their 11-year-old daughter (Patty). They order three kits. Once the kits arrive, the family members use cotton swabs to take cell samples from their cheeks and place the swabs in individually labeled envelopes. They mail the envelopes back to the company, along with completed questionnaires regarding their diets. Four weeks later, they receive three individual reports detailing the test results and providing extensive guidelines about what foods they should eat. Among the results is the finding that James has a particular allele in a gene that may make him vulnerable to the presence of free radicals in his cells. The report suggests that he increase his intake of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and highlights a number of foods that are rich in those vitamins. The tests also show that Sally has several genetic variations that indicate that she may be at risk for elevated bone loss. The report recommends that she try to minimize this possibility by increasing her intake of calcium and vitamin D and lists a number of foods she could emphasize in her diet. Finally, the report shows that Patty has a genetic variation that may mean that she has a lowered ability to metabolize saturated fats, putting her at risk for developing heart disease. The report points to ways in which she can lower her intake of saturated fats and lists various types of foods that would be beneficial for her. A number of companies now offer genetic-testing services, promising to deliver personalized nutritional or other advice based on peoples genetic profiles. Generally, these tests fall into two different categories, with individual companies offering unique combinations of the two. The first type of test detects alleles of known genes that encode proteins that play an established role in, for example, counteracting free radicals in cells or in building up bone. In such cases, it is easy to see why individuals carrying alleles that may encode proteins with lower levels of activity may be more vulnerable to free radicals or more susceptible to bone loss. A second type of test examines genetic variations that may have no clear biological significance (i.e., they may not occur within a gene or may not have a detectable effect on gene activity) but have been shown to have a statistically significant correlation with a disease or a particular physiological condition. For example, a variation may frequently be detected in individuals with heart disease even though the reason for the correlation between the variation and the disease may be entirely mysterious. Do you think that companies should be allowed to market such tests directly to the public, or do you believe that only a physician should be able to order them?arrow_forwardJames sees an online ad for an at-home genetic test that promises to deliver personalized nutritional advice based on an individuals genetic profile. The company can test for genetic variations, the advertisement states, that predispose individuals to developing health conditions such as heart disease and bone loss or that affect how they metabolize certain foods. If such variations are detected, the company can provide specific nutritional advice that will help counteract their effects. Always keen to take any steps available to ensure the best possible health for their family, James and his wife (Sally) decide that they both should be tested, as should their 11-year-old daughter (Patty). They order three kits. Once the kits arrive, the family members use cotton swabs to take cell samples from their cheeks and place the swabs in individually labeled envelopes. They mail the envelopes back to the company, along with completed questionnaires regarding their diets. Four weeks later, they receive three individual reports detailing the test results and providing extensive guidelines about what foods they should eat. Among the results is the finding that James has a particular allele in a gene that may make him vulnerable to the presence of free radicals in his cells. The report suggests that he increase his intake of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and highlights a number of foods that are rich in those vitamins. The tests also show that Sally has several genetic variations that indicate that she may be at risk for elevated bone loss. The report recommends that she try to minimize this possibility by increasing her intake of calcium and vitamin D and lists a number of foods she could emphasize in her diet. Finally, the report shows that Patty has a genetic variation that may mean that she has a lowered ability to metabolize saturated fats, putting her at risk for developing heart disease. The report points to ways in which she can lower her intake of saturated fats and lists various types of foods that would be beneficial for her. A number of companies now offer genetic-testing services, promising to deliver personalized nutritional or other advice based on peoples genetic profiles. Generally, these tests fall into two different categories, with individual companies offering unique combinations of the two. The first type of test detects alleles of known genes that encode proteins that play an established role in, for example, counteracting free radicals in cells or in building up bone. In such cases, it is easy to see why individuals carrying alleles that may encode proteins with lower levels of activity may be more vulnerable to free radicals or more susceptible to bone loss. A second type of test examines genetic variations that may have no clear biological significance (i.e., they may not occur within a gene or may not have a detectable effect on gene activity) but have been shown to have a statistically significant correlation with a disease or a particular physiological condition. For example, a variation may frequently be detected in individuals with heart disease even though the reason for the correlation between the variation and the disease may be entirely mysterious. What kinds of regulations, if any, should be in place to ensure that the results of these tests are not abused?arrow_forwardfueled.brightspace.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/3300467?url=https%3A%2F%2Ff59af8a9-95f5-419c-a486-a A rdschools.com bookmarks Drive Classes B Login Page Sign In Education and Lear... Content = 1.08 Unit Test: Gene Expression - Part 1 Which statement is most accurate? Hair is different from kidneys because the cells that make up hair and kidneys have different genes All cells have the same genes, but different genes are active in different cells. As cells and tissues differentiate, they produce new genes. All cells have the same genes, and all of a cell's genes are active at the same time. #m C $ J лае 1 2 3 4 5 & 7 8arrow_forward
- • Description of Phenylketonuria • Explanation of what causes Phenylketonuria • Explanation of the relationship between mutations and genetic diseases in general. (PLEASE ANSWER ALL 3 PLEASEEE)arrow_forwardA patient comes into your clinic exhibiting generic cancer symptoms. In order to help form a diagnosis, you ask about patient history and they tell you that they worked for years in an agricultural job, primarily in handling food for large bovine animals and then later working with insect pesticide treatment of grain fields. You decide to test for elevated levels of the environmental agent(s) in their body and focus your cancer diagnosis on based on the established associations of epigentic effects and cancer. O nickel and cadmium; stomach and skin cancer O benzene; breast, prostate and thyroid cancer O polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene; lung, breast, stomach and skin cancer O arsenic and endocrine disruptors; skin, bladder, liver and kidney cancerarrow_forwardA. Identify a substance or chemical in a certain product that could trigger a genetic disorder. B. Identify and describe the genetic disorder. C. Briefly explain the process on how the substance in letter A could trigger the genetic disorde.arrow_forward
- While multiple animal studies have found that food dyes are not associated with no genotoxic effect effects, transient DNA damages occur in the colon of mice treated by amaranth and tartrazine dyes. TRUE OR FALSE Ultra-pasteurized organic milk can last a few weeks (longer expiration date) longer than the week or two that pasteurized conventional milks are labeled with, because that organic milk does not have the additives that conventional milk may have. TRUE or FALSE Red 3 has replaced Red 40 in most foods, because Red 40 could increase the risk of thyroid tumors as shown in some animal studies. TRUE OR FALSE Since the introduction of many pest-resistant GM crops, the usage of glyphosate has declined on conventional agriculture products. TRUE OR FALSEarrow_forwardLO 71- Explain why studying the epigenome is harder than studying the genome of an organism. Select all of the factors that make studying the epigenome more difficult than studying the genome: epigenetic changes are unstable and not heritable epigenome is bigger than the genome the epigenome cannot be 'sequenced' as the genome can the epigenome is variable across different types of cells epigenetic changes produce unobservable nucleotide sequence changesarrow_forwardA couple has had a child born with neurofibromatosis. They come to your genetic counseling office for help. After taking an extensive family history, you determine that there is no history of this disease on either side of the family. The couple wants to have another child and wants to be advised about the risks of that child having neurofibromatosis. What advice do you give them?arrow_forward
- can you please help me out with this ? Mutations in the IL2RG gene cause approximately 30 percent of severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (SCID) cases in humans. These mutations result in alterations to a protein component of cytokine receptors that are essential for proper development of the immune system. The IL2RG gene is composed of eight exons and contains upstream and downstream sequences that are necessary for proper transcription and translation. Below are some of the mutations observed. For each, explain its likely influence on the IL2RG gene product (assume its length to be 375 amino acids). Nonsense mutation in a coding region Insertion in Exon 1, causing frameshift Insertion in Exon 7, causing frameshift Missense mutation Deletion in Exon 2, causing frameshift Deletion in Exon 2, in frame (g) Large deletion covering Exons 2 and 3arrow_forward(See here for APA formatting https://docs.google.com/document/d/10e2EI-fEXHVfj7GbKaJj9roxzRgAqN6BaK2HDBjRJvk/editarrow_forwardanswer all questions please.arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage Learning