Inheritance Disorders

Question 1

How are genetic disorders caused?

Answer 1

By inheriting certain alleles

Question 2

Polydactyly:

Answer 2

• having extra fingers or toes
• caused by a dominant allele

Question 3

Cystic Fibrosis:

Answer 3

• a disorder of the cell membranes, resulting in thick mucus in the airways and pancreas
• caused by a recessive allele
• both parents need to be carriers or one must have CF themselves and the other is a carrier

Question 4

What does embryonic screening do?

Answer 4

• allows scientists to observe whether the child will have a genetic condition or not
• if embryo is developed in a lab, cells can be taken from it and analysed
• DNA from embryos in womb can be extracted

Question 5

Arguments for embryonic screening:

Answer 5

Ethical
- reduces the number of people suffering

Economic
- Treating disorders is expensive

Social
- There are many regulations in place to stop it getting out of hand

Question 6

Arguments against embryonic screening:

Answer 6

Ethical
- Encourages people to pick characteristics - creating designer babies

Economic
- Screening is expensive

Social
- Promotes prejudice as it suggests those with genetic disorders will not live a full life or are unwanted
- Decisions about terminating pregnancy have to be made
- The procedure can lead top miscarriage