Genetic Disorders

Question 0

Is cystic fibrosis a dominant or recessive allele?

Answer 0

Recessive

Question 1

What is cystic fibrosis?

Answer 1

Causes the body to produce thick mucus in the air passages and in the pancreas

Question 2

What is polydactyly?

Answer 2

Extra fingers or toes

Question 3

Is polydactyly a dominant or recessive allele?

Answer 3

Dominant

Question 4

What is embryo screening?

Answer 4

Checking for genetic disorders

Question 5

What are the arguments AGAINST embryo screening

Answer 5

1. People may choose a more ‘desired’ baby. E.g. Blue eyes, blonde hair etc
2. The rejected embryos are destroyed - potential human life
3. It implies that people with genetic disorders are ‘undesirable’ - prejudice
4. Screening is expensive

Question 6

Arguments FOR embryonic screening

Answer 6

1. It will stop people suffering
2. There are laws to stop it going too far. At the moment parents cannot select the sex of their baby unless it is for health reasons
3. During IVF most embryos are destroyed anyway, screening allows the selected one to be healthy
4. Treating disorders costs the government a lot of money. This prevents that