The "Chances Are?"
curriculum is a great follow-up activity to the popular sickle cell
module, Mystery of the Crooked Cell, running at CityLab facilities across
the country. We will demonstrate the experimental setup and classroom
application of "Chances Are?".
This module is designed for
high school students and allows them to play the role of genetic counselors.
Students become proficient in Mendelian genetics by analyzing family
history, constructing a medical pedigree, and evaluating the risk of
passing this genetic disease to an unborn child. Open-ended inquiry
is encouraged by allowing students to test any family member(s). Critical
thinking is required by the student to rationalize his/her choice(s).
Then students perform polyacrylamide
gel electrophoresis on "blood samples" from selected family
members to detect the presence or absence of abnormal hemoglobin. This
will distinguish which family members are affected with sickle cell
syndrome, are non-symptomatic carriers of sickle cell, or are non-carriers.
Students will provide counseling for hypothetical family members based
on the results of this test.
Social and ethical considerations
surrounding the issue of genetic testing will be discussed.
