The Following Four Issues Are Currently Under Debate

What’s your view??????

Introduction Have you ever wondered how they make those oversized pumpkins so large? Is it possible to com- pletely free yourself from inheriting a fatal heart disease? Could you make an identical copy of yourself? How do police officers track down criminals using blood samples? All of these questions can be answered with knowledge of genetics.

The Quest The following four issues are currently under debate:  The use of forensics in criminal cases  The recent success of cloning  Genetically engineered food  Genetically testing for diseases In this web quest, you will research all four issues. The purpose is for you to gain a concrete knowledge of the following aspects of genetics: genetic testing, genetically engineered food, forensics and DNA, and cloning. Each question will be answered from a different view point. You may use the web links provided below for each topic or you may look up your own websites as sources.

Topic #1 The use of forensics in criminal cases DNA Fingerprinting in Human Health and Society http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/BA/DNA_Fingerprinting_Basics.html An Interview with DNA Forensics Authority Dr. Bruce Weir http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/BA/Interview_Weir.html Use of DNA in Identification http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/BA/Use_of_DNA_Identification.html 1. What are some advantages and disadvantages of using genetic forensic evidence in criminal court cases? The accused:

The police:

2. Is using DNA in forensics a well researched form of identification? If not what future research is re- quired? The accused:

The police:

3. Reasons for spending money on research of forensics. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen:

4. Reasons for not spending money on research of forensics. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen: 5. Are you for or against spending a large amount of money on research of forensics? And what is your reasoning. Topic #2 Genetically testing for diseases Common Questions and Answers http://www.labcorp.com/genetics/common_question/index.html#3 http://www.labcorp.com/genetics/prenatal_genetic_testing/index.html Carlos and Molly Can Have a Perfectly Healthy Baby (or can they?) http://ehrweb.aaas.org/ehr/books/4_carlos.html Mayo Clinic – Adult testing http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genetic-testing/FL00076 Human Genome Project http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/faq/faqs1.shtml Genetic Science Learning Center: Tour of the Basics (Click on What is Inheritance?) http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/tour/ Understanding Gene Testing (Click the Next Button and read through the section entitled What are Today's Options?) http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/NIH/gene10.html

1. How do genes determine inheritance?

2. Is genetic testing of prenatal babies harmful to the health of the babies and/or the mothers? A new or 1st time mom:

A scientist:

3. How reliable is genetic testing in predicting diseases? A new or 1st time mom:

A scientist:

4. Reasons for spending money on research of genetic testing. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen:

5. Reasons for not spending money on research of genetic testing. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen:

6. Are you for or against spending a large amount of money on research of genetic testing? And what is your reasoning? Topic #3 The recent success of cloning Human Genome Project http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml Clone Safety http://www.clonesafety.org/cloning/facts/ WhyFiles? - Cloning Animals (Read all 11 pages) http://whyfiles.org/034clone/index.html

1. Is cloning humans realistically possible in the next ten years? If so, should research be continued? A scientist:

2. Is it ethical to clone humans? A scientist:

3. Since cloning is such a new phenomenon, what are the possible ramifications of research in this area? A scientist:

4. Reasons for spending money on research of cloning. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen:

5. Reasons for not spending money on research of cloning. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen:

6. Are you for or against spending a large amount of money on research of cloning? And what is your reasoning? Topic #4 Genetically engineered (or modified) food Why Files? - Field of Genes (Read all 6 pages) http://whyfiles.org/062ag_gene_eng/index.html The Allliance for Better Foods: The Promise of Biotechnology http://www.betterfoods.org/Promise/Promise.htm The Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods http://www.psrast.org/defknfood.htm

1. How are genetically altered crops beneficial to society? Big Business:

Consumers:

2. Are there any harmful effects of genetically altered crops? Big Business:

Consumers:

3. Reasons for spending money on research of genetically engineering crops. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen:

4. Reasons for not spending money on research of genetically engineering crops. Government official:

Tax paying Citizen:

5. Are you for or against spending a large amount of money on research of genetically engineering crops? And what is your reasoning?