12.2 Reading
I
Explain that creating one paragraph to summarize the issues in the text is not an easy task. Remind students that they created a summary of each paragraph in Exercise E. Visually share these summaries and remind the students of the title of the text: Genomics and the future of medicine.
Paragraph Summary 1 2
3 4 5 the history of genetics and genomics
description of the Human Genome Project
gaps in knowledge revealed by the Human Genome Project which led to the growth of epigenetics as a fi eld of study
the Human Microbiome Project and its importance
some of the possible future benefi ts from genomics
Elicit which paragraph should be the main focus for the summary (paragraph 5, as it links back to many of the main themes in the text). Explain that students can also use some of the key points from paragraphs 2–4 to add detail to the summary. Paragraph 1 is probably less relevant.
Depending on the class, you may want to set the exercise for individual work, pairwork or small-group work. Alternatively, it can be set for homework.
12.2_I
If the work is done in class, encourage students to visually display their work to the class. Feed back as appropriate. You could also visually share the model answer below (which is also given in the PDF) or write your own summary to show students.
Elicit from students which quotations could be taken from the text, and share these visually. T e examples will depend on how students conceptualize the main issues. Encourage them to evaluate quotations in terms of their usefulness, e.g., as defi nitions or as compelling statements of a main point.
Model answer
Knowledge of the link between genomics and human health has grown rapidly over the past few decades. T e Human Genome Project, which ran from 1990 until 2003, developed new technology for mapping DNA and created the fi rst map of the human genome. T is map showed that only around 2% of the human genome could be directly linked to the function of creating parts of the body. However, researchers realized that the ‘junk’
DNA had an important role in reproduction; this led to the study of epigenetics, or factors ‘above’ the gene. T is research showed that, while DNA sequences themselves were fi xed, other factors – including the environment – could change how the sequence produced new cells. T e faster mapping of DNA achieved during the Human Genome Project was also of direct importance to medicine for at least two reasons. One was that DNA mapping could become a more routine part of treatments for patients. Researchers have now discovered that some drugs are more eff ective for patients with a particular DNA profi le, improving doctors’ ability to treat the individual patient. T e second reason was that non-human life forms could begin to have their DNA mapped as well. T is led to the Human Microbiome Project, which began in 2007 and which maps the DNA of the diff erent organisms which live in and on humans. Research is showing that these organisms can infl uence the eff ectiveness of drug treatments; this knowledge can, therefore, help to improve treatments for patients. Understanding more about genomics has led to the knowledge that ‘interactions between humans and diff erent life forms are far more complex than previously imagined and can have a direct infl uence on human health’ (p. 1778).1
Closure
Organize students into groups, and ask them to discuss and debate the four statements below.
Encourage them to consider the ethical principles they discussed in Unit 11 (autonomy, benefi cence, justice and nonmalefi cence) and the issue of regulation. Tell them that they will need to provide convincing reasons for their position.
Rotate the students between groups so they have a chance to debate diff erent questions. Feed back as a class, and see if it is possible to arrive at a consensus on each question.
Statements for discussion
1. Any genetic alteration of an unborn child should be allowed in order to prevent a disease, provided the parents agree.
2. It should be possible for researchers to license the use of the knowledge of human genes that they discover, since this provides an incentive for other researchers.
3. All genetic research involving humans should be prohibited, as the possible risks are greater than the possible benefi ts.
4. Genetic mapping of all patients should be routine so that this information can be used to create more eff ective drug treatments.
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