Chapter 2, Problem 5RQ

If your father were diagnosed with an inherited disease that develops around the age of 50, would you want to be tested to find out whether you would develop this disease? If so, when would you want to be tested? As a teenager or sometime in your 40s? If not, would you have children?

Genetics and Social Behavior Of the following findings, which does not support the idea that alcoholism is genetic? a. Some strains of mice select alcohol over water 75% of the time, whereas others shun alcohol. b. The concordance value is 55% for MZ twins and 28% for DZ twins. c. Biological sons of alcoholic men who have been adopted have a rate of alcoholism more like that of their adoptive fathers. d. There is a 20% to 25% risk of alcoholism in the sons of alcoholic men. e. None of these.

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 James and Sally have any guarantees that the tests and recommendations are scientifically valid?

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?

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. What kinds of regulations, if any, should be in place to ensure that the results of these tests are not abused?

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 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?

The genetic structures located within the nucleus of each cell are known as _______________________ These structures are made up of the DNA molecules containing the bodys genes.

True or false? All traits are inherited in a Mendelian pattern.

Should he go ahead and enroll on the chance that he would receive the DNA vaccine and that it would be more effective than chemotherapy? Bruce and his parents moved to a semi-tropical region of the United States when he was about 3 years old. He loved to be outside year-round and swim, surf, snorkel, and play baseball. Bruce was fair-skinned, and in his childhood years, was sunburned quite often. In his teen years, he began using sunscreens, and although he never tanned very much, he did not have the painful sunburns of his younger years. After graduation from the local community college, Bruce wanted an outdoor job and was hired at a dive shop. He took people out to one of the local reefs to snorkel and scuba dive. He didnt give a second thought to sun exposure because he used sunscreen. His employer did not provide health insurance, so Bruce did not go for annual checkups, and tried to stay in good health. In his late 20s, Bruce was injured trying to keep a tourist from getting caught between the dive boat and the dock. He went to an internist, who treated his injury and told Bruce he was going to give him a complete physical exam. During the exam, the internist noticed a discolored patch of skin on Bruces back. She told him that she suspected Bruce had skin cancer and referred him to a dermatologist, who biopsied the patch. At a follow-up visit, Bruce was told that he had melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Further testing revealed that the melanoma had spread to his liver and his lungs. The dermatologist explained that treatment options at this stage are limited. The drugs available for chemotherapy have only temporary effects, and surgery is not effective for melanoma at this stage. The dermatologist recommended that Bruce consider entering a clinical trial that was testing a DNA vaccine for melanoma treatment. These vaccines deliver DNA encoding a gene expressed by the cancer cells to the immune system. This primes the immune system to respond by producing large quantities of antibodies that destroy melanoma cells wherever they occur in the body. A clinical trial using one such DNA vaccine was being conducted at a nearby medical center, and Bruce decided to participate. At the study clinic, Bruce learned that he would be in a Phase Ill trial, comparing the DNA vaccine against the standard treatment, which is chemotherapy, and that he would be randomly assigned to receive either the DNA vaccine or the chemotherapy. He was disappointed to learn this. He thought he would be receiving the DNA vaccine.