GENETICS Technology, Engineering, Manipulation: What are your thoughts?

Watch the Clip: Intro to GeneticsIntro to Genetics

What does “genetics” mean? ●Take 2 minutes to discuss this as a table group and develop one answer. ●At the end of the 2 minutes, each table’s Reporter will share their response.

What does “genetic engineering” mean? Again - ●Take 2 minutes to discuss this as a table group and develop one answer. ●At the end of the 2 minutes, each table will share their response

Turn to a new page in your binders: List the following words in your notes: a. CLONING b. GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO) c. GENE THERAPY d. GROWING HUMAN ORGANS: e. GENETIC ENGINEERING OF VIRUSES TO FIGHT DISEASE f. DNA PROFILING

Create a list of adjectives that describe your gut reaction to the words you just wrote ●Example: When I think of cloning I feel - interested, science fiction, scary, creepy, misunderstood, etc. ●The more words you have listed, the better ●Try to organize your words into 3 categories: positive, negative and neutral

Read the definitions of the following words. a. CLONING: using technology to make a copy b. GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO): changing the DNA code in plants or animals to add/take away traits c. GENE THERAPY: transplanting normal genes in place of missing or defective genes to treat genetic disorders. d. GROWING HUMAN ORGANS: using cloning techniques to grow organs for human transplantation. e. GENETIC ENGINEERING OF VIRUSES TO FIGHT DISEASE: “recoding” viruses to fight illness rather than causing it. f. DNA PROFILING: used in court to provide guilt/innocence of a crime.

Now that you know the definitions of the words on the previous slide, does it change the way you feel about them? Why do you think people think people consider the study of Genetics a “Hot” topic?

Put your words into a WORDLE (on computer paper, be neat and creative) Use a variety of sizes. Words can cluster or form a shape. Use the following color code: Negative words = black marker Positive words = green marker Neutral words = blue marker