Gene Therapy

Question 1

What kind of social and ethical issues can identifying carriers raise ?

Answer 1

Emotional stress
Aren’t always 100% accurate
Genetic discrimination

Question 2

What does PGD involve ?

Answer 2

PGD is carried out on embryos produced by IVF, it involves screening embryos for genetic disorders before being implanted

Question 3

What are the advantages for PGD

Answer 3

Reduce the risk of having a baby with genetic disorders, as it done before implantation its avoids the risk of abortion

Question 4

What does prenatal testing involve?

Answer 4

It involves the screening of unborn babies, offered to women who have a history of genetic disorders.

Question 5

What are the two types of prenatal testing ?

Answer 5

Amniocentesis - 15-16 weeks a sample of amniotic fluid is taken. Fetal cells are analysed
Chorionic villus sampling - carried out at 8-12 weeks

Question 6

What is germ line therapy ?

Answer 6

It involves changing the alleles in sex cells, it’s currently illegal though

Question 7

Somatic therapy…

Answer 7

It involves changing the alleles in the body cells that are most egg eyes it’s doesn’t include the sex cells

Question 8

What are the 3 man reasons for genetic screening?

Answer 8

Identification of carriers
Preimplantation
Prenatal testing