1.04 genetic testing
TRANSCRIPT
1.04- GENETIC TESTING
Biomedical Technology II
Day 1
Deciding to Know or Not to Know
Activity: Is More Information Always Better?
Should I tell Chantal?
Activity: Envelope Exercise
What is a genetic test?
Activity continued
The genetics of Alzheimer's Disease
Activity continued
In a few minutes, you will choose whether to open your envelopes.
However, before you make that decision, you will need to gather more relevant, scientific
information.
Activity continued
• Partner up
• You have five minutes to read Part II of Master 4.2
• Underline information that might influence your decisions, and record your decisions and supporting reasons on the master
Activity continued
And the results are……….
Activity: Introducing Max’s Thyroid Cancer Case- What is the Ethical Question?
Until recently, Alzheimer’s disease was considered untreatable. Little or nothing was known about preventing the disease or slowing or reversing its course.
The latest studies indicate that certain lifestyle activities, such as avoiding jars to the brain, staying engaged in social activities, exercising the mind and body, and eating a healthy diet, may slow down or prevent its onset. In addition, studies suggest that certain anti-inflammatory drugs may slow down the course of the disease.
Activity continued
Develop a comparison between your decision about the envelopes and Max’s situation.
Activity: Gathering Relevant Facts and Concepts
• Gathering relevant facts is always one of the first things bioethicists do as they contemplate an ethical question
• Take five minutes to read Master 4.4: Thyroid Cancer, MEN II, and Genetic Testing—Relevant Facts. and underline the most important information.
Homework Assignment
Brainstorm new, relevant questions you need answers to before you arrive at a full set of relevant facts.
When you come up with other relevant questions, research the answers as your assignment.
DAY 2
Activity: Checking for Understanding
• Discuss your answers to Master 2.6 with your partner
Activity: Who or What Will Be Affected by How the Situation Is Resolved?
Max’s family pedigree on his mother’s side
Activity continues
There are many forms of thyroid cancer and that Nick, Harriet, and James could have died of a form of thyroid cancer unrelated to the one associated with MEN II.
Activity continues
Answer the questions accompanying the pedigree on Master 4.3
Activity continued
Read copy of Master 4.7: What Impact Would Max’s Newly Discovered Mutation Have on
Him and Others?
Activity continued
Working with a partner, complete Master 4.7, applying Mendelian genetics to the case at
hand.
Activity: Exploring the Relevant Ethical Considerations
Ethical Question:
Who should decide whether Max will have the MEN II thyroid cancer genetic test?
Activity continues
Let’s begin with respect for persons
A) What are some reasons for why Max should be able to decide whether he takes the test?
B) What are some reasons why Max’s father should be the decision maker and, therefore, limit Max’s ability to choose his own course of action?
Activity Continues
Harms and Benefits: Acting to lessen negative outcomes and promote positive outcomes.
Activity continues
Pair up and complete Master 4.8: Thyroid Cancer and Genetic Testing—Harms and
Benefits.
Homework Assignment
Complete Master 4.9: Your Tentative Thoughts
DAY 3
Who Should Get to Decide Whether Max Gets Tested?
Activity: Who Should Have Access to the Results?
Should Max’s father be able to distribute—without Max’s permission—Max’s genetic information to different members of the
family?
Activity continues
Brainstorm a list of people in Max’s family who
might benefit from knowing this newly discovered information, and write each
person’s name on a different piece of poster paper.
Activity continues
• Go into groups of 3
– One person to write in red
– One person to write in green
– One person to present to the class.
Group Discussion
Putting it all together