Skip to main content
Ch. 15 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition
Chapter 15, Problem 15

The family of a sixth-grade boy in Palo Alto, California, was informed by school administrators that he would have to transfer out of his middle school because they believed his mutation of the CFTR gene, which does not produce any symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis, posed a risk to other students at the school who have cystic fibrosis. After missing 11 days of school, a settlement was reached to have the boy return to school. What ethical problems might you associate with this example?

Verified Solution

Video duration:
54s
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

CFTR Gene and Cystic Fibrosis

The CFTR gene encodes a protein that regulates the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. Mutations in this gene can lead to cystic fibrosis, a serious genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system. Understanding the nature of the specific mutation in the boy's case is crucial, as some mutations may not lead to symptoms, raising questions about the implications of labeling individuals based on genetic information.
Recommended video:
Guided course
09:12
Transgenic Organisms and Gene Therapy

Genetic Discrimination

Genetic discrimination occurs when individuals are treated unfairly based on their genetic information. In this scenario, the boy's transfer from school due to his CFTR mutation raises ethical concerns about whether it is justifiable to exclude someone based on potential risks associated with their genetic makeup, especially when they exhibit no symptoms of the condition.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:45
Descriptive Genetics

Ethical Considerations in Education

Ethical considerations in education involve balancing the rights and needs of individual students with the safety and well-being of the larger school community. This case highlights the tension between protecting students with cystic fibrosis and ensuring that all students, including those with genetic mutations, have equal access to education, prompting discussions about inclusivity and the role of schools in addressing health-related concerns.
Recommended video:
Guided course
07:11
Mapping with Markers
Related Practice
Textbook Question

A glycine residue is in position 210 of the tryptophan synthetase enzyme of wild-type E. coli. If the codon specifying glycine is GGA, how many single-base substitutions will result in an amino acid substitution at position 210? What are they? How many will result if the wild-type codon is GGU?

308
views
Textbook Question
Contrast the various types of DNA repair mechanisms known to counteract the effects of UV radiation. What is the role of visible light in repairing UV-induced mutations?
358
views
Textbook Question

Refer to Figure 13.7 to respond to the following:

A base-substitution mutation that altered the sequence shown in part (a) eliminated the synthesis of all but one polypeptide. The altered sequence is shown here:

 5'-AUGCAUACCUAUGUGACCCUUGGA-3'

Determine why.

384
views
Textbook Question

A significant number of mutations in the HBB gene that cause human β-thalassemia occur within introns or in upstream noncoding sequences. Explain why mutations in these regions often lead to severe disease, although they may not directly alter the coding regions of the gene.

367
views
Textbook Question

Dominant mutations can be categorized according to whether they increase or decrease the overall activity of a gene or gene product. Although a loss-of-function mutation (a mutation that inactivates the gene product) is usually recessive, for some genes, one dose of the normal gene product, encoded by the normal allele, is not sufficient to produce a normal phenotype. In this case, a loss-of-function mutation in the gene will be dominant, and the gene is said to be haploinsufficient. A second category of dominant mutation is the gain-of-function mutation, which results in a new activity or increased activity or expression of a gene or gene product. The gene therapy technique currently being used in clinical trials involves the 'addition' to somatic cells of a normal copy of a gene. In other words, a normal copy of the gene is inserted into the genome of the mutant somatic cell, but the mutated copy of the gene is not removed or replaced. Will this strategy work for either of the two aforementioned types of dominant mutations?

399
views
Textbook Question
Contrast the structure of SINE and LINE DNA sequences. Why are LINEs referred to as retrotransposons?
459
views