SEEd - Biology
Lesson Plans

Strand BIO.3: GENETIC PATTERNS

Heredity is a unifying biological principle that explains how information is passed from parent to offspring through deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules in the form of chromosomes. Distinct sequences of DNA, called genes, carry the code for specific proteins, which are responsible for the specific traits and life functions of organisms. There are predictable patterns of inheritance; however, changes in the DNA sequence and environmental factors may alter genetic expression. The variation and distribution of traits observed in a population depend on both genetic and environmental factors. Research in the field of heredity has led to the development of multiple genetic technologies that may improve the quality of life but may also raise ethical issues.

Standard BIO.3.4

Plan and carry out an investigation and use computational thinking to explain the variation and patterns in distribution of the traits expressed in a population. Emphasize the distribution of traits as it relates to both genetic and environmental influences on the expression of those traits. Examples of variation and patterns in distribution of traits could include sickle-cell anemia and malaria, hemoglobin levels in humans at high elevation, or antibiotic resistance. (LS3.B)

• The Ethical Considerations of Personal Genomics
  As doctors and researchers continue to learn more about the relationships among genes, the environment, and diseases, they are making advances in predicting the likelihood of a person developing certain diseases as well as discovering innovations in the prevention and treatment of diseases. These are enhancing the notion of personalized medicine, which aims to customize an individual's health care by tailoring decisions and treatments based on his or her genetic information. The sequencing of the human genome was the first step in what many hope will be a new era in medicine. As in many medical advances, there are a number of ethical, legal, and social issues involved in personal genomics.

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