Week 10 Genetics And Ethics Flashcards
What are common uses of animal experiments in genetics?
Genetic crosses, transgenic organisms, gene knockouts, CRISPR editing, drug/vaccine testing, embryology, cloning.
What law regulates animal experiments in the UK?
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
What are the 3Rs of animal research?
Replacement, Refinement, Reduction.
What are the three licenses required under the Animals Act?
Certificate of Designation, Project License, Personal License.
What legislation governs human tissue and embryo research?
Human Tissue Act 2004, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.
What is the Declaration of Helsinki?
A set of ethical principles for human research, adopted by the World Medical Association.
What is IRAS?
Integrated Research Application System – used in the UK to approve human studies.
What are the key principles of ethical approval?
Informed consent, anonymity, duty of care, security of samples/data, protocol management, protection of vulnerable individuals.
What is Toxoplasma gondii?
A parasite of cats with secondary hosts including humans; can cause congenital disease.
What did the Toxoplasma case study show?
High frequency of congenital transmission in mice and sheep; being studied in humans.
What is the purpose of genetic counselling?
To assess genetic risks and guide individuals/families in making informed decisions.
When is genetic testing commonly offered?
Before conception (carrier testing) and during pregnancy (amniocentesis).
What genetic condition is often tested for in couples?
Cystic fibrosis.
What ethical concerns arise from the Human Genome Project?
Consent for family-related data, predictive testing, insurance risks, patenting genes, and designer babies.
What ethical issue does CRISPR raise?
Potential for creating ‘designer babies’ by editing genes for preferred traits.
Why is research on embryos important?
Understanding development, fertility treatments, and regenerative medicine.
When does UK law consider an embryo to become protected?
After the appearance of the primitive streak (~14 days); no use is allowed beyond this point.
What are the requirements for animal experimentation in the UK?
Certificate of Designation, Project License, Personal License.
What laws regulate human experimentation in the UK?
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (2008), Human Tissue Act (2004), HTA revision 2019.
What is the Declaration of Helsinki?
A set of ethical principles for human research, developed by the World Medical Association.
What is IRAS?
Integrated Research Application System – the UK’s approval system for human research.
What are key principles of ethical approval?
Informed consent, anonymity, duty of care, data security, restricting activity, protocol management, protection of the vulnerable.
What organism was studied for congenital transmission in animals and humans?
Toxoplasma gondii.
What did the study on mice and sheep reveal?
High congenital transmission rates, indicating vertical transmission is important.
What is genetic counselling used for?
To assess and communicate risk of genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis before or during pregnancy.
What techniques are used for prenatal genetic testing?
Amniocentesis and testing fetal tissues for genetic diseases.
Why is embryo research important?
To understand development, stem cell potential, and support fertility treatments.
When does UK law prohibit use of embryos in research?
After 14 days, or after the appearance of the primitive streak.
What are concerns about sharing genetic information?
Consent, predictive use, insurance, patents, and designer babies.
What ethical questions arise from the Human Genome Project?
Who owns genetic data, and how it can be used for prediction or manipulation of traits.
