Thursday, February 26, 2015

Can Scientists Find A Cure?


Vanessa F. and Shan Y.
Period 2

Multiple Sclerosis is when the immune system slowly eats away at the protective cover on nerves. There is currently no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, there are only treatments to slow it down. Multiple Sclerosis may be inherited and researchers believe that there is more than one gene that causes someone to be more prone to developing Multiple Sclerosis. The average cost of treatment for Multiple Sclerosis is $30,000 every year per patient. In the United States, the economic costs of Multiple Sclerosis are around $28 billion per year.
Benefits of the Multiple Sclerosis treatments is that there are some drugs that have been shown to improve the Multiple Sclerosis patients physical condition. There are also drugs that are able to reduce the number of damage in the brain and spinal cord, and it can also slow down Multiple Sclerosis. Even physical therapy can help patients with balance problems, clumsiness, fatigue, fitness, pain, and weakness. Some therapists will even do physical therapy at the patient’s home, and will encourage them to reach their goal.
Researchers are not certain that Multiple Sclerosis is a genetic disease but people with relatives that have Multiple Sclerosis do seem to have a higher chance of developing it. Because they are not certain if genes are involved in the disease there is no way of knowing if genetic engineering would have any effect, whether for better or for worse.
 Our opinions on Multiple Sclerosis is that scientists should focus on finding a cure because many people every year are spending money on treatments that won’t help stop MS. This doesn’t impact the stage of life we are currently in since it only affects adults between the ages of 20 to 40 years old. Hopefully, scientists are able to find the causes of MS, and also finding a cure. Once scientists accomplish finding a cure for MS they will help save about two million lives worldwide.

Interviews:

Multiple Sclerosis Interviews

References:

Lliades, C. (n.d.). The Costs of MS Treatment. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.everydayhealth.com/multiple-sclerosis/costs-of-ms-treatment.aspx
Holland, K. (n.d.). Risk and Rewards of Treating Multiple Sclerosis. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/risk-rewards-treating-multiple-sclerosis
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Genotyping at Birth

Adam Zimmerman, Brendan Verano
Biology
Period 4.

Description
The genotype determines potential characteristics and limitations of the individual organism from embryo to adulthood. For organisms that reproduce sexually, genotype embodies the entire complex of genes inherited from both parents. Genotype can be demonstrated mathematically to show that individual offspring inherit different traits from their parents. Genes for certain traits can be recessive or dominant, which determines the likelihood of their expression as phenotype in a given individual.Genotyping is the process of going over differences and similarities of someone or some things genotype. It also is the process of determining differences in the genetic makeup of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence using biological assays and comparing it to another individual's sequence or a reference sequence. They look at the DNA sequence of a person compared to what it should be. Genotyping reveals the alleles that were passed on from each of the parents into the kid. Genotyping at birth would mean the immediately after the baby is born they take a sample off their heel and send it to get genotyped. This is big in the scientific community because it could show possible genetic complications. If we knew how the diseases are made we could possibly find a cure or make a cure. Advances in genomic technologies have enabled development of many novel genome analysis methods that may have applications in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of genetic diseases and cancer. Comprehensive high-throughput assays are available for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms. DNA copy number variation, microsatellite expansion or contraction and loss of heterozygosity, all of which detect sometimes subtle genomic alterations associated with disease. Some of these assays require micrograms of DNA which may be difficult to obtain for many clinical samples. In addition, inadequate DNA template may prevent the performance of multiple assays on a single sample(2).Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ?s clearance of the first genotyping assay for cystic fibrosis in 2005, the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health has reviewed a number of other genotyping assays for inherited disorders. Some of these genotyping assays are intended to detect relatively rare heritable diseases consisting of multiple disease-causing alleles (mutations) for each disease, while others may detect more common diseases, but are intended to test very rare as well as common mutations.(2). If you were to try and genotype every child that is born you would have a huge cost genotyping is not very common but it costs a lot of money. It would be very hard to do this to a lot of babies. Human genetic variation is present in many different forms in the genome, ranging from large, structural, chromosomal changes to single nucleotide polymorphisms. Life Technologies  offers a broad range of products for analysis of genetic variation and genomic profiling.




Benefits
Genotyping could change our lives in a big way. If we were to genotype each baby we would learn what could possibly go wrong in their later years. Genotyping could tell us a number of different things it can tell about; brain diseases and hard defects. it can tell us what each person is at risk of in their lifetime and if we know what could possibly go wrong we can take precautionary measures to be safe.

Risks
The risk of genotyping at birth would be that it would change the way we live. If we know something is wrong with ourself we will live differently than we live if we did not know we were sick. If we were to genotype every child we would know what could possibly be wrong with them which could possibly change the way other people think of them.

Interview
1. What do you know about genotyping?
I do not know a lot about genotyping but I know that it is used to find genetic infections  in a person.
2. Would you want to be genotyped?
I would not like to be genotyped because i would not want to know if i would have any diseases in the future .
3. If you had a child would you get him/her genotyped at birth?
Maybe because it will be later in the future and it could possibly be better.
4. Are you against genotyping or for it?
I am against genotyping because it affects the life of a human and how he will live his life.
5. Would you want to know the results of your genotyping?
Yes because if my babies come out with a dysfunctioning limb or something like that, I will need to know to try and save his life.

Reflection
Genotyping is helpful to us in some ways, but it is immoral in life. I don’t think humans should consider re-designing life. It’s not natural to re-create life because thats not why we were put here. If we were able to do this all the time, then the natural balances of life will be screwed up. Our opinion is that humans shall not touch any area of this subject of Genotyping. Genotyping is a concept of determining  potential characteristics and limitations of the individual organism from embryo to adulthood.

Resources







4.Genomics: Genotyping gets up to speed. (2005). Nature, 435(7044), 992. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/scic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/AcademicJournalsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=SCIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Journals&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=SCIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA185469843&source=Bookmark&u=las89135&jsid=3e2c95b0855e26048a2dd367ba465d
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Playing God? Cloning Podcast

Samir Gulati
Katherine Moattar
P 2


Should we have the power to clone organisms? Today, Samir and Katherine will be discussing the controversial topic of cloning. We will be discussing what cloning is in general and its many advantages and disadvantages.

Cloning Podcast

These are three people we interviewed to get their different opinions on the subject. We first interviewed former medical doctor Kishore Chowdhry, then student Yuri Carreira Alflen, and finally, biology teacher Audri Rosen (click on links to be redirected to videos)


References:


PCBE: Human Cloning and Human Dignity: An Ethical Inquiry -- Full Report. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from https://bioethicsarchive.georgetown.edu/pcbe/reports/cloningreport/children.html

Clone and Cloning. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/scic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=SCIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&u=las89135&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=SCIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CV2644030504

Cloning. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/scic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&u=las89135&currPage=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=SCIC&action=e&catId=GALE|00000000MTTQ&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CAICFR484389468

What is Cloning? (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cloning/whatiscloning/


Cloning's High Cost. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/2001/11/26/1126cloning.html


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Re-designing Life: Vaccinations By: Jacob Miley and Nick Sanchez


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Are these cells faker than you?

description:
Scientist are working on creating synthetic cells. Theses cells are being made to replace damaged or lost cells. The farthest that scientists have gone at this point is making artificial bacteria. The changes to science however are too numerous to count. These synthetic cells are just the start of a brand new age of science in which scientists will be able to create whole organisms.
The benefits to human culture would be that this could lead to making replacement body parts for those who have lost them. This could effectively cure many diseases that are caused by faulty cells. These are also being worked on to develop industrial bacteria which would help in the economy.

Benefits:
    Synthetic cells can greatly benefit the world by repairing damaged tissue, curing diseases, and regrowing limbs. Say someone damaged their spinal cord and became paralyzed. A synthetic cell could replace the damaged cells and give the person their movement back. No one would be restricted due to a disability. Diseases and disorders caused by mutations could be cured. The synthetic cell would replace the mutated cell the same way it did with the damaged cell. This could prevent mutations such as cancer. Lastly, synthetic cells, on a large scale, could regrow limbs. Since each limb is simply millions of cells, a limb could be grown with enough synthetic cells. This would greatly benefit amputees and victims of car accidents. This is how synthetic cells could benefit our world.

Risks:
    Though synthetic cells after being perfected would greatly help the medical field, the journey could be dangerous. Many things could go wrong in trying to create a synthetic cell. For instance, in creating a synthetic cell, a mutated cell may become present. If this flawed synthetic cell was tested, it would harm the person receiving the cell. They could be given a mental disorder, something that they are better off without. In another situation, the synthetic cell may be mutated into a cancer cell. The last thing the medical field needs is to accidentally insert cancer into one of their patients. This could ruin a person’s life. Lastly, the other cells may reject and attack the synthetic cell. This would not only waste a great deal of money, it would also distract the immune system from another threat. These are some of the risks synthetic cell research may bring.
Interviews:
Mrs. McKinney
Question- What is your opinion on synthetic cells?
Answer- Synthetic cells could save lives and be of great help in the medical fields. The belief that scientists are playing God is trumped by the benefits synthetic cells provide.
Question- Do you have any experience with synthetic cells?
Answer- I do not have hands on experience with synthetic cell, but I do understand what purpose they serve.
Mr. Rash
Question- Do you believe scientists are trying to play God in creating synthetic cells.
Answer- I feel like synthetic cells are like scientists are trying to play God. It would be better if scientists modified the pre existing cells instead of creating their own cell.
Question-What negatives do you fear may come from synthetic cells?
Answer- I have no fear about the end goal of synthetic cells, but I do fear what could happen during the journey. Cells may be damaged or mutated due to the synthetic cells during this process.
Mrs. Rosen
Question-What could you use a synthetic cell for?
Answer- Synthetic cells could be used to regrow limbs, cure diseases, and repair damaged tissue.
Reflection:
    Synthetic cells have the potential to change every stage of life. They can eventually be able to cure diseases, regrow lost limbs, and much more. The last thing that needs to be decided is whether this action is moral or immoral. Many consider this to be playing “God”, but it would be the duty of science to help those that need it. Synthetic cells is the perfect way to do that and that is why it is a moral act.

Citations-
  1. Synthetic Biology: Benefits, Risks, and Regulations | Triple Helix Online. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://triplehelixblog.com/2013/09/synthetic-biology-benefits-risks-and-regulations/
  2. Do the benefits of synthetic biology outweigh the risks? (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://geneticliteracyproject.org/2013/11/12/do-the-benefits-of-synthetic-biology-outweigh-the-risks/
  4. Balancing Benefits and Risks of Synthetic Biology. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotechnology/lowrie.html
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One Small Step For DNA, Another Small Step For Babies

   By:
Luke Tedesco and Jorge Soto-Arreola 

        First things first, what is Genetic Screening? Genetic screening is the sequencing of a new born's DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may occur in the future years. But giving the definition cant help with much. Once the new baby is born, the doctor brings it into a room and pricks the heel, drawing blood. The doctors store the blood and analyze it to get the genetic code from the baby. This process takes about two to three months to find all the G's, A's, T's and C's (nucleotides in the DNA). Once the DNA is done screening, it shows the patient and scientists the babies DNA. Inside this coding, the DNA can show: diseases, mutations, and future problems that could happen.


         Most people argue that "scientists are playing god" or "screening is not natural," but those who control stored DNA aren't using it maliciously or unethically, they just have it saved for research and experiments in order to help those who are affected by mutations and illnesses. For example, having a baby genetically screened helps the parents find out what diseases or mutations that their child can contract, or what could happen in the baby's body that may cause a defect or mutation. In addition, getting screened can have a dramatic affect on the future of science. If a fetus is screened and researchers find a disease or mutation, then earlier action can be taken to help the child survive or turn the mutation around. Scientists could have the ability to solve down syndrome, diabetes, and many more genetic defects.

         But not everything is perfect. Screening can also be not beneficial. For example, scientists could make wrong codes from the DNA. Making a wrong genetic code is simple to mess up. But think about a patient getting a (wrong) genetic code for their baby, and the doctor/ scientist says they baby has a disease (but they really don't). The waste of money and research just for even one letter can mess up someone's life. In addition, scientists/ doctors can make something worse from that one mistake in the genetic code. When someone goes through cancer treatment they get: Chemo Therapy, and some types of medication. But the coding is wrong... so this helpless baby is getting exposed to radiation, and medications that are doing nothing but making the situation worse. They could get a disease, or even worse from all these methods, but not notice a disease even shows up since the doctors/scientists are so focused on the "disease" the baby has. And by the time they figure out how to fix the problem, they could either: keep going (making their mistake even worse), realize what they've done, or kill the patient or patients child. So from one letter mistake in a genetic code, the scientists/ doctors may have messed up someone life and future generations to come.

           My partern and I's idea of genetic screening has positive feedback; however we also disagree with the subject. Genetic screening can help the future generations to come, but it can also be a scam and mistake just awaiting to happen. Genetic screening doesn't have to be done, its the patients choice. If the patient does it, great, good for them. If not, great, good for them. It doesn't matter if a patient does it or not. The only thing that matters is to help the people in the world, and the have a healthy, fully functioned future.


Now for some fun:



Questions:
1. Have you been genetically screened?


2. If you ever have children, would you want them to be genetically screened?

3. If you were genetically tested (genetic screened but for adults), would you want to know what's inside your DNA?

4. If you were scanned and found out you had a risk to a genetic disease, would you want treatment if it wasn't that serious?

5. What could be a side effect of getting scanned


Citations :
Genetic Testing. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://differentgenetictesting.yolasite.com/

Newborn genetic screening. (2007). In World of Genetics. Gale. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/scic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=SCIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=SCIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CCV2433500347&source=Bookmark&u=las89135&jsid=da477caa8a6da953bff108d7416f4d5a



Newborn Screening. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/nbs


Wheeler, P. (2012, September 1). Newborn Screening Tests. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/newborn_screening_tests.html





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Removing diabetes in young people

Many young people today have diabetes II. Diabetes II is when you have high spikes of blood sugar resulting in damaged blood vessels, cells, feet, eyes, hearing, and serious diseases.

Goanimate video- http://goanimate.com/videos/0Vy7GEjD7O5I?utm_source=linkshare&utm_medium=linkshare&utm_campaign=usercontent

 
IMovie-

Genetic engineering:

Genes have a big role in diabetes II. Having a certain gene or combination of genes can increase your chance of getting diabetes II. While some genes increase your chances others decrease them. Genetic engineering could stop many people from getting diabetes II by removing the gene or fixing the gene. This could stop many young people from getting diabetes II. While this might be expensive it could save millions of young lives by simply changing a code.


pros
  • decreased chance of getting diabetes
  • less young people dying of diabetes
  • less people suffering

Cons

  • expensive
  • still risk of getting diabetes
  • dangerous
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