Initiate a discussion with your students. Health insurance companies are already beginning to deny or cancel insurance for women carrying the breast cancer gene. Is this ethical? Should other people insured through the same company pay higher rates to help cover the claims of women who have breast cancer treatment? Would it be better to have the insurance company pay for or require prophylactic removal of both breasts prior to cancer development? Should women carrying this gene be sterilized?
Address some of the other questions raised in the Bioethical Issue.
Genetics of Your Students
| Expression of Dominant Trait | Expression of Recessive Trait |
|---|---|
| Dark hair color | Light or red hair color |
| Farsightedness | Normal vision |
| Freckles | No freckles |
| Dark eyes | Blue eyes |
| Free earlobes | Attached earlobes |
| Six fingers or toes | Five fingers or toes |
| Cheek dimples | Lack of dimples |
| Full lips | Thin lips |
| Widow's peak | Straight hair line |
| Tongue roller | Cannot roll tongue |