Biology Careers: Genetic Counselor

Genetic Counselor

Biology Careers:

Imagine you are a genetic counselor. You need to explain sickle cell anemia to the parents of a child who has just been diagnosed. ____________________________________________________ By completing this assignment, you will gain a deeper understanding of sickle cell anemia and the importance of genetic counseling in helping families manage this condition. _____________________________________________________ You can use the articles linked on the next slide to help you.

Instructions

Research Resources

This disease is caused by a "point mutation," meaning only one DNA base in the mutated hemoglobin gene has changed. Why does this simple mutation have such a significant effect on the body?

Symptoms and Treatments

What are common symptoms of sickle cell anemia? List them here:

What are the treatments? List them here:

How might the child's lifestyle need to change because of this disease?

How will the child's life expectancy compare to a normal life expectancy?

Life Expectancy and Lifestyle Changes

The parents are concerned because they want to have more children. They want to know what the chances are of having another baby with the disease. 1) What factors will contribute to the chances of having another child with sickle cell disease? (Hint: consider things like gender, ethnicity, and statistics) 2) You perform genetic testing and determine that both parents are carriers for this disease. This is called "sickle cell trait." The parents want to know what this means and why they don't have severe symptoms like their first child. How would you explain the difference between having sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease?

Carrier

Has Disease

Normal

__________________________________________________________________________________________________Compare the family tree on the right with the inheritance chart on the left. Look at Scenario 3 on the chart (circled in red). Now compare it to the family on the right. Consider the possible unborn children (shown as a ). How many are likely to be carriers of the disease? How many are likely to be normal?

Possible Unborn Children

The family you are counseling

Inheritance patterns for Sickle Cell Anemia

Challenge Question: At the end of the day, the parents ask a tough question. They want to know if you think it is ethical (right or wrong) to have more children, given the genetic risks. You tell them that only they can make that decision and it's not your place to say. Privately, you have your own thoughts. What do you personally believe? Is it ethical to have more children, knowing that they could inherit the disease? Why or why not?