Applied Human Genetics

Answer each of the following three questions in a complete paragraph (3–5 sentences) using two pieces of evidence or examples learned in the class.

A biotechnology company offers a direct-to-consumer test called the Carrier Status report that generates various calculations about an individual’s genetic risk for certain diseases. Write one paragraph that addresses the following two issues:
Why would this be most useful for disorders following an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance? Provide evidence from your textbook (e.g., Section 10.7, Inheritance Patterns in Humans).
Explain how this information might be useful for people during their reproductive years.

The Carrier Status report mentioned above is packaged along with a Genetic Health Risk report. Neither has been approved by the FDA for diagnosing illness. They have only been approved for general informational purposes about an individual’s health risks.
In one paragraph of 3–5 sentences, explain whether this limited approval status would affect how much credibility you would give to the information in the report.
Defend your position with examples or evidence.

There are three slightly different alleles of the APOE gene known as a2, a3, and a4. The most common allele is a3. As discussed in the textbook, Section 11.1, Personal Genomic Testing, the a4 allele is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. If you have one copy of the a4 allele, your lifetime risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease goes up to 47%, as compared to 20% for the overall population. If you have two copies of the a4 allele, your risk is even higher. There is no known certain way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, certain factors, such as reading, crossword puzzles, and education, are correlated with reduced risk.
The Carrier Status report mentioned in question 1 would provide information about the risk of developing Alzheimer’s based upon the a4 allele. In a paragraph of 3–5 sentences, describe at least one benefit and one possible concern of getting a genotype report from a genetic testing company that indicates the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s or another disease.
Defend your position with examples or evidence.