1.04 genetic testing

1.04- GENETIC TESTING

Biomedical Technology II

Day 1

Deciding to Know or Not to Know

Activity: Is More Information Always Better?

Should I tell Chantal?

Activity: Envelope Exercise

What is a genetic test?

Activity continued

The genetics of Alzheimer's Disease

Activity continued

In a few minutes, you will choose whether to open your envelopes.

However, before you make that decision, you will need to gather more relevant, scientific

information.

Activity continued

• Partner up

• You have five minutes to read Part II of Master 4.2

• Underline information that might influence your decisions, and record your decisions and supporting reasons on the master

Activity continued

And the results are……….

Activity: Introducing Max’s Thyroid Cancer Case- What is the Ethical Question?

Until recently, Alzheimer’s disease was considered untreatable. Little or nothing was known about preventing the disease or slowing or reversing its course.

The latest studies indicate that certain lifestyle activities, such as avoiding jars to the brain, staying engaged in social activities, exercising the mind and body, and eating a healthy diet, may slow down or prevent its onset. In addition, studies suggest that certain anti-inflammatory drugs may slow down the course of the disease.

Activity continued

Develop a comparison between your decision about the envelopes and Max’s situation.

Activity: Gathering Relevant Facts and Concepts

• Gathering relevant facts is always one of the first things bioethicists do as they contemplate an ethical question

• Take five minutes to read Master 4.4: Thyroid Cancer, MEN II, and Genetic Testing—Relevant Facts. and underline the most important information.

Homework Assignment

Brainstorm new, relevant questions you need answers to before you arrive at a full set of relevant facts.

When you come up with other relevant questions, research the answers as your assignment.

DAY 2

Activity: Checking for Understanding

• Discuss your answers to Master 2.6 with your partner

Activity: Who or What Will Be Affected by How the Situation Is Resolved?

Max’s family pedigree on his mother’s side

Activity continues

There are many forms of thyroid cancer and that Nick, Harriet, and James could have died of a form of thyroid cancer unrelated to the one associated with MEN II.

Activity continues

Answer the questions accompanying the pedigree on Master 4.3

Activity continued

Read copy of Master 4.7: What Impact Would Max’s Newly Discovered Mutation Have on

Him and Others?

Activity continued

Working with a partner, complete Master 4.7, applying Mendelian genetics to the case at

hand.

Activity: Exploring the Relevant Ethical Considerations

Ethical Question:

Who should decide whether Max will have the MEN II thyroid cancer genetic test?

Activity continues

Let’s begin with respect for persons

A) What are some reasons for why Max should be able to decide whether he takes the test?

B) What are some reasons why Max’s father should be the decision maker and, therefore, limit Max’s ability to choose his own course of action?

Activity Continues

Harms and Benefits: Acting to lessen negative outcomes and promote positive outcomes.

Activity continues

Pair up and complete Master 4.8: Thyroid Cancer and Genetic Testing—Harms and

Benefits.

Homework Assignment

Complete Master 4.9: Your Tentative Thoughts

DAY 3

Who Should Get to Decide Whether Max Gets Tested?

Activity: Who Should Have Access to the Results?

Should Max’s father be able to distribute—without Max’s permission—Max’s genetic information to different members of the

family?

Activity continues

Brainstorm a list of people in Max’s family who

might benefit from knowing this newly discovered information, and write each

person’s name on a different piece of poster paper.

Activity continues

• Go into groups of 3

– One person to write in red

– One person to write in green

– One person to present to the class.

Group Discussion

Putting it all together