CHALLENGE QUESTIONS

Introduction

Question 22

*22.The type of albinism that arises with high frequency among the Hopis (discussed in the introduction to this chapter) is most likely oculocutaneous albinism type 2, which is caused by a defect in the OCA2 gene on chromosome 15. Do some research on the Internet to determine how the phenotype of this type of albinism differs from the phenotypes of other forms of albinism in humans and the mutated genes that result in those phenotypes. Hint: Visit the website Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man and search the database for albinism.

Section 1.1

Question 23

23.We now know a great deal about the genetics of humans. What are some of the reasons humans have been the focus of intensive genetic study?

Question 24

24.Describe some of the ways in which your own genetic makeup affects you as a person. Be as specific as you can.

Question 25

25.Describe at least one trait that appears to run in your family (appears in multiple members of the family). Do you think that this trait runs in your family because it is an inherited trait or because it is caused by environmental factors that are common to family members? How might you distinguish between these possibilities?

Section 1.3

Question 26

*26.Suppose that life exists elsewhere in the universe. All life must contain some type of genetic information, but alien genomes might not consist of nucleic acids and have the same features as those found in the genomes of life on Earth. What do you think might be the common features of all genomes, no matter where they exist?

15

Question 27

27.Choose one of the ethical or social issues in a through d below and give your opinion on the issue. For background information, you might read one of the articles on ethics listed and marked with an asterisk in the Suggested Readings for Chapter 1 in your LaunchPad.

  1. Should a person’s genetic makeup be used in determining his or her eligibility for life insurance?

  2. Should biotechnology companies be able to patent newly sequenced genes?

  3. Should gene therapy be used on people?

  4. Should genetic testing for inherited disorders for which there is no treatment or cure be made available?

Question 28

*28.A 45-year-old woman undergoes genetic testing and discovers that she is at high risk for developing colon cancer and Alzheimer disease. Because her children have 50% of her genes, they may also be at an increased risk for these diseases. Does she have a moral or legal obligation to tell her children and other close relatives about the results of her genetic testing?

Question 29

*29.Suppose that you could undergo genetic testing at age 18 for susceptibility to a genetic disease that would not appear until middle age and has no available treatment.

  1. What would be some of the possible reasons for having or not having such a genetic test?

  2. Would you personally want to be tested? Explain your reasoning.