Genetic Disorders

Question 1

What type of allele does Cystic Fibrosis have?

Answer 1

A recessive allele so you need two copies of the allele for it to affect you.

Question 2

What has to happen for offspring to have CF?

Answer 2

Both parents have to be either carriers or sufferers.

Question 3

What is polydactyly and what is it caused by?

Answer 3

Polydactyly is being born with extra fingers or toes and it is caused by a dominant allele.

Question 4

What is the chance of offspring getting polydactyly if one parent is a sufferer?

Answer 4

50% if one parent has the allele.

Question 5

What are some arguments against embryonic screening for genetic disorders? (4 points)

Answer 5

1) people can choose which embryo they want to make it ‘perfect’
2) the rejected embryos are destroyed
3) it implies that people with disorders are ‘undesirable’ which could increase prejudice
4) it is expensive

Question 6

What are some arguments for embryo screening? (4 points)

Answer 6

1) it helps stop people suffering
2) there are laws to stop it going too far - parents can’t even choose the sex of their baby
3) during IVF most embryos are destroyed anyway, screening just allows the selected one to be healthy
4) treating disorders costs the government a lot of money