2C - Genetic Screening

Question 1

What Are The 3 Main Uses Of Genetic Screening?

Answer 1

~ Identifying individuals who are carrying an allele at a gene locus for a particular disorder.
~ The screening of embryos prior to implantation during fertility treatment (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis PGD).
~ Testing a foetus before birth (Prenatal testing).

Question 2

Which Individuals Is Carrier Testing Offered To?

Answer 2

Individuals with a history of genetic disorders in their family.

Question 3

What Can Carrier Testing Show?

Answer 3

Whether people who have no symptoms carry the allele for particular disorders.

Question 4

What Are Benefits Of Carrier Testing?
(2 Points)

Answer 4

~ Families can make informed decisions before having children.
~ Women can decide whether to have prenatal testing during pregnancy.

Question 5

What Is IVF?
(2 Points)

Answer 5

~ In vitro fertilisation.
~ A type of fertility treatment during which fertilisation is carried out in a lab, embryos produced in this way can be implanted into the uterus where they can develop a foetus.

Question 6

What Is PGD?
(2 Points)

Answer 6

~ Preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
~ Involves the analysis of the DNA of an embryo prior to implanting it into the uterus.

Question 7

What Are The Benefits Of PGD?
(2 Points)

Answer 7

~ Reduces the chances of having a baby with a genetic disorder.
~ It avoids abortion as it is carried out before implantation of the embryo.

Question 8

What Is Prenatal Testing?

Answer 8

Testing the unborn foetus for genetic diseases.

Question 9

Who Is Prenatal Testing Offered To?

Answer 9

Pregnant women with a family history of genetic disorders.

Question 10

In Prenatal Testing, How Can The DNA Be Obtained?
(2 Points)

Answer 10

~ Chorionic villus sampling.
~ Amniocentesis.

Question 11

What Is Chorionic Villus Sampling?
(2 Points)

Answer 11

~ Removing and testing a small sample of cells from the placenta using a fine needle.
~ The cells contain foetal DNA, which can be analysed for genetic disorders allowing parents to make informed decisions regarding the foetus.

Question 12

In Chorionic Villus Sampling, Around What Week In Pregnancy Is It Carried Out?

Answer 12

11-14 weeks.

Question 13

In Chorionic Villus Sampling, What Is The Chance Of A Miscarriage?

Answer 13

1-2%.

Question 14

What Is Amniocentesis?
(2 Points)

Answer 14

~ Involves removing and testing a small sample of cells from amniotic fluid using a fine needle.
~ The fluid contains foetal cells, which contain DNA to be analysed.

Question 15

In Amniocentesis, Around What Week In Pregnancy Is It Carried Out?

Answer 15

15-20 weeks.

Question 16

In Amniocentesis, What Is The Chance Of A Miscarriage?

Answer 16

1%.

Question 17

What Are The Benefits Of Prenatal Testing?
(2 Points)

Answer 17

~ Tests allow parents to make informed decisions.
~ Results can help prepare parents for future care of the child, including medical treatment.

Question 18

What Are The Social & Ethical Issues Regarding Genetic Screening?

Answer 18

~ Genetic counsellors.
~ Identification Of Carriers.
~ PGD.
~ Prenatal testing.