Genetic+Disorders

Genetic Disorders [|Genetics resource site- great!] =Genetic Disorder Assignment:=

What Are Genetic Disorders?
Cells can sometimes contain changes or variants in the information in their genes. This is called **gene mutation**, and it often occurs when cells are aging or have been exposed to certain chemicals or radiation. Fortunately, cells usually recognize these mutations and repair them by themselves. Other times, however, they can cause illnesses, such as some types of [|cancer]. And if the gene mutation exists in egg or sperm cells, children can inherit the mutated gene from their parents. Researchers have identified more than 4,000 diseases that are caused by genetic variants. But having a genetic mutation that may cause disease doesn't always mean that a person will actually get that disease. Because you inherit a gene from each parent, having one disease gene usually does not cause any problems because the normal gene can allow your body to make the normal protein it needs.

[|Learn Genetics- Great Site!] [|Genetic Disorders] [|List of genetic diseases]
 * Research your genetic disorder. See the report details below. We will strive to have 15 different disorders (pick a back-up!)**

Genetic Disorder Report details

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Changing Genes
Sometimes scientists alter genes on purpose. For many years, researchers have altered the genes in microbes and plants to produce offspring with special characteristics, such as an increased resistance to disease or pests, or the ability to grow in difficult environments. We call this **genetic engineering**. But there are problems with gene therapy. Scientists haven't yet identified every gene in the human body or what each one does. Huge scientific efforts like **The Human Genome** (pronounced: **jee-**nome) **Project** and related projects have recently completed a map of the entire human genome (all of the genetic material on a living thing's chromosomes), but it will take many more years to find out what each gene does and how they interact with one another. For most diseases, scientists don't know if and how genes play a role. Plus, there are major difficulties inserting the normal genes into the proper cells without causing problems for the rest of the body. There are also concerns that people might try changing genes for ethically troubling reasons, such as to make smarter or more athletic children. No one knows what the long-term effects of that kind of change would be. Still, for many people who have genetic diseases, gene therapy holds the hope that they — or their children — will be able to live better, healthier lives.
 * Gene therapy** is a promising new field of medical research. In gene therapy, researchers try to supply copies of healthy genes to cells with variant or missing genes so that the "good" genes will take over. Viruses are often used to carry the healthy genes into the targeted cells because many viruses can insert their own DNA into targeted cells.

=Karyotyping Activity= [|Karyotype Activity] Using Karotypes to predict Genetic Disorders [|Karyotypes predict disorders]

=**Extract DNA - See how its really done!**= [|DNA extraction] =**Run you own DNA samples using Gel Electrophoresis**=

[|Gel Electrophoresis]

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