CFA Gattaca (Bioethics, Gene Expression, & DNA)

CRISPR is a technique used to edit the genes of an organism. This process uses enzymes to cut a molecule of DNA with the purpose of inserting a desired gene sequence where the DNA has been cut. This technique can be used to replace undesirable, naturally-occurring genes or add entirely new genes to an organism's genome. CRISPR was not explicitly mentioned in Gattaca, but it was present in the movie.

In which of the following Gattaca scenarios would CRISPR have been displayed?

• The production of genetically "valid" embryos (babies)

• The frequent genetic assessing of bodily samples

• The physical preparation of astronauts for the mission to Titan

• Vincent borrowing Jerome's genetic identity

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Genetic engineering refers to the practice of altering the genetic code of an organism in order to produce a desired trait. Genetic engineering provides many commodities that our society benefits from, including crops that have a longer shelf-life and more nutrients, and animals that develop faster and produce more meat per organism.

Which of the following viewpoints would NOT support the practice of genetic engineering?

• Genetic engineering of some food items may result in the production of additional proteins that could initiate an allergic response in some consumers.

• Genetic engineering can provide nutrient-dense food sources to areas lacking adequate food supplies.

• Genetically modified crops can withstand harsh temperatures and resist pests, increasing the supply yield for farmers.

• Genetically engineered organisms pose little-to-no heath threats or complications to the humans that consume them.

Scientists change the genes in organisms to make them more useful. This process is called genetic engineering. Genetic changes can help crops fight disease or make more food. Genetic changes can also allow bacteria and yeast to make medicines. Changing genes in organisms can bring up ethical concerns (whether an action is right or wrong). Which of the following is the best example of an ethical concern of genetic engineering displayed in the Gattaca movie?

• A genetically engineered person (a "valid") may not be as successful as scientists predicted.

• A non-engineered person (an "in-valid") may be more successful than scientists predicted.

• A genetically engineered person (a "valid") may experience preferential societal treatment.

• A genetically engineered person (a "valid") may be able to have more offspring than others.

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Which of the following motives for genetic engineering practices could be considered unethical (morally wrong)?

• Increased crop yields

• Improvement of human health

• Achieve specific physical appearances

• Maintenance of environmental health

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DNA is a long, stranded molecule comprised of nucleotides. Each nucleotide has a specific base (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine). Sequences, or segments, of bases on a DNA molecule are responsible for determining the physical traits of an organism. These segments are called genes. Which of the following correctly identifies the role of genes in the formation of an organism?

• Genes are transcribed into mRNA molecules, which will be translated into a protein.

• Genes are translated into mRNA molecules, which will be transcribed into a protein.

• Genes are translated into proteins, which will be transcribed into a trait.

• Genes are transcribed into proteins, which will be translated into an mRNA message.

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In a Gattaca society, each individual has a sample of DNA taken and added to a database. That database could be accessed by law enforcement, employers, and the public in order to identify a person and their genetic status. This system of identification is called DNA fingerprinting, and it can be accomplished by using hair, skin cells, blood, spit, or other bodily fluids of a person.

DNA fingerprinting in our society can be used to match suspects to a crime scene or confirm familial relationships (like a paternity test). The image provided in this question demonstrates DNA fingerprinting.

Which suspect's DNA could be matched to the crime scene sample?

• Suspect #1

• Suspect #2

• Suspect #3

• Suspect #4

Diversity within a species is considered a biological benefit for numerous reasons, including an increased chance of survival for the species. Genetic engineering, however, can threaten the diversity of a species: unfavorable or undesirable traits are going to be removed, which will propagate only favorable traits. Eventually, this could result in members of a species looking more similar. Which of the following questions would be MOST important to consider when implementing genetic engineering practices while preserving diversity of a species?

• What limitations should be placed on genetic engineering?

• What traits threaten the survival of a species?

• What traits reduce the survivorship of an individual?

• What species should be considered for genetic engineering?

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Nitrogenous bases (A,T,C,G) are located on both strands of the DNA double helix. What is the significance of the nitrogenous bases in a DNA molecule?

• The number of adenine and cytosine bases determine the type of RNA that will be produced

• The order of nitrogenous bases determines the order of amino acids in the proteins synthesized

• The amount of thymine and guanine in the DNA molecule determines the length of the protein to be synthesized

• The type of hydrogen bonding between the nitrogenous bases determines which amino acid will be added to the peptide chain

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The first commercial application of genetic engineering was the use of bacteria to make insulin, a medicine needed by many people with diabetes. Before the use of genetically-engineered bacteria, insulin had to be harvested from the pancreases of slaughtered animals that were raised in a lab. Which of the following describes a benefit that resulted from the genetic engineering of insulin?

• It has made it easier for diabetics to inject themselves with insulin.

• It has made insulin cheaper to produce and thus more readily available to diabetics.

• It has made the amount of people in the world with diabetes decrease.

• It has made the process of producing insulin more difficult and time-consuming.

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Bioethics is the study of the "rightness" or "wrongness" of scientific and medical practices. One particular practice which remains controversial is that of stem cell therapy. Stem cells are special cells that have the ability to develop into any type of body cell. Stem cell therapy attempts to rehabilitate tissues or organs that have been damaged due to injury or disease; stem cells can be transplanted into a patient in order to re-grow new cells and tissues. Stem cells can be found in limited quantity in an adult human, but another source of stem cells is the human embryo. Which of the following is an ethical concern of stem cell therapy?

• Preventing early death

• Increased understanding of genetic diseases and treatments

• Usage of stem cells to test medicines and treatments prior to testing them on humans

• Sources of stem cells for therapy treatments