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Geneticist for a Day
ABSTRACTWhen studying genetics with my students, it seems to bear fruit when real life applications germane to personal life play center stage. In that spirit, I developed two activities that focus on recent contributions of a couple of real people that my students can identify with- the work of Nancy Wexler and Huntington's Chorea; and the work of Mary Claire-King and the breast cancer gene BRCA-1. The activities are "dry lab" enactments of partial pedigree and genetic analysis studies that allow the kids to walk at least a quarter mile in the shoes of real geneticists. These dry labs lend to extensions using electrophoretic marker simulations and special projects around cell receptors and autoimmunity as well.SUBJECT OF ACTIVITIES: Human GeneticsGRADE LEVEL: High School biologyINFORMATION FOR THE TEACHERAfter conducting pedigrees in groups, students are asked to discuss and compose a document discussing the transmission of the Huntington's gene- dominant or recessive, sex linked, etc. Additionally, they ought to consider Dr. Wexler's own odds for contracting the disease.Since Dr. Wexler's study was initiated, the location of the huntington's gene, and a DNA marker test for identifying those who carry it, has added great intrigue to the moral/ethical issues surrounding genetic testing. One good source for follow-up is the BSCS blue versions' "supplementary Topics" reader in an article called "The Venezuelan Pedigree Project". ACTIVITY 1: THE BRCA-1 GENEINFORMATION FOR STUDENTSIn the last year, the location of a gene responsible for one type of breast cancer has been identified to be the lower right leg of chromosome 15, thanks to a three-year study led by Dr. Mary Claire King at the University of California-Berkeley.Breast cancer afflicts 2% of women in the U.S., yet it's the leading cause of death. Why? Metastasis! Before growing big enough to be obvious, the cancer spreads into the lymph nodes, and from there, anywhere in the body. By the time it's detected, the cancer has located in numerous organs. Some forms of breast cancer runs in families. The odds soar from 2% risk nationally to 50% if it is in the family. To identify one's risk, a marker can be pinpointed in DNA analysis, but a family pedigree can determine the need for such a test. Your Job... Be Mary Claire King for a day! Here's a dialogue with a patient named Elizabeth, who had a preventive mastectomy at age 28 because of the frequency of breast cancer in her family. (Remember, Dr. King had no inkling as to the hereditary pattern of the BR gene. Here's a tip too, she didn't know it at the outset, but I'll tell you: males can carry the gene and not be affected) TRACKING THE GENE...First, generate a pedigree as much as possible from the discussion with Elizabeth. From the pedigree, can you determine if the gene is sex linked? Dominant or recessive?Then, discuss in a small group, then compile a report which explains the diseases' mode of transmission. Include such explanations as Elizabeth's daughter's likelihood of inheriting the BR gene. Consider such moral issues as testing for the DNA marker, insurance regulations regarding knowledge of the carriers of such markers, and anything else which comes to mind about BRCA-1. ACTIVITY 2: WEXLER'S SEARCH FOR THE HUNTINGTON'S GENEThe year was 1979, and Congress has just issued you the funding to study Huntington's disease- a disorder afflicting more than 50,000 Americans. Very little was known about the inheritance of Huntington's, but Dr. Nancy Wexler (who's mother died of it) knew about the incredibly high rate of the disease around a place called Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Here, you'll be a part of a team sent to Lake Maracaibo to study a large family (of more than 5,000 member!), and report your findings!The family spans five generations. It is your job (as it was hers) to pedigree the family and see what's going on here! Below is a fax that has arrived from Lake Maracaibo... To: Dr.s _________________, Pella University, Pella, Iowa from: Huntington's research team, Lake Maracaibo
Dear scientists, Generation V:Luis, son of Zelda and Ramon. AFFLICTED Generation IV:Ramon, son of Ricardo and Lydia. AFFLICTED Generation III:Lydia, daughter of Carlos and Imelda. AFFLICTED Generation II:Imelda, daugher of Rigo and Esmerelda. AFFLICTED Generation I:Rigo. AFFLICTED
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