Case Histories and Opinion Articles for Discussion

The following sites will provide you with real-life cases and/or opinion articles focusing on the genetic concepts covered in each chapter. Read each case/article, consider the dilemma outlined, formulate your own opinions, and then discuss your views with your classmates, friends, family, and/or instructor. Several of the sites listed below will provide you with the opportunity to read the responses of other "web surfers" and to share your opinions in a "global conversation."

• Should Society Have a Role in Regulating Multiple Fetal Births from the Bioethics Discussion Pages: Read the commentary and share your thoughts and opinions in the on-line discussion area.

• Wrongful Life from the Bioethics Discussion Pages: Read the commentary and share your thoughts and opinions in the on-line discussion area.

• Did Mendel fudge his data? Answer this question by completing the Mendel's Data Case Study. This case study can be found in the "teaching" section, subsection "case studies."

• Information and Background for Marfan Case Study: Consider the case of a woman who is concerned she may have Marfan syndrome.

• Consider the case of Hemophilia: The Royal Disease.

• You should also consider Sex Selection for Family Balancing: Ethically Acceptable?

• Genetic Research and Group Impacts: The Search for Alcoholism Genes in the Native American Community.

• Focus on a devastating genetic disease, Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) with this case study.

• Consider the possible outcomes of genetic susceptibility testing for Alzheimer disease with a case from the GenEthics Consortium.

• Consider the case of an individual who wants to sue their parents for Wrongful Life. Wrongful life? Can parents be held accountable for having children with a genetic disorder?

• Which children should we attempt to save? Consider the cases of Michael, Samuel, Jennifer, and Christie at the Babies Get a New Chance at Life site. What would you do in each case?

• Solve a genetic mystery and apply the population genetic techniques discussed in this chapter in the case The Death of Baby Pierre.

• Read about the answer to a historical question in the Anna or Anastasia case study.

• Consider human evolution with The Dating Game case.

• Who decides who receives an available organ for transplant? You make the decision when you consider the Ethics of Organ Transplants.

• Consider the relationship between cancer and genetics with the eleven cases (including Breast Cancer, Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colerectal Cancer, AT, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias, Retinoblastoma, Melanoma, Prostate Cancer, Familial Colon Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Neurofibromatosis Type I, and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome) found at the Cancer Genetics Home Page.

• Additional case studies focusing on breast cancer can be found at The Virtual Health Care Team page and at the Breast Cancer and Screening site.

• A Right to Her Genes and A Question of Privacy focus on the problems genetic testing can cause for family members who may or may not want to know their cancer risk.

• A Fetal Issue focuses on the bioethics behind the use of fetal tissue in research and therapy. Complete the survey provided and read about the issues.

• Can a Genetic Disease be Cured is the question at the heart of this case.

• Learn more about the Debate Over Genetically Altered Plants in this case study.

• Future Foods is an interactive case study where you can share your opinions and participate in the online discussion.

• Should there be Society Regulation of Multiple Fetal Births? Participate in a global conversation on this topic.

• Can Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis be Used for Traits? In other words, should parents be able to choose the traits of their children before becoming pregnant?

• Genetics Testing focuses on the problems genetic testing can cause for family members who may or may not want to know the results. Participate in the online conversation at this site.