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Ch. 26 - Population and Evolutionary Genetics
Chapter 25, Problem 24

Some critics have warned that the use of gene therapy to correct genetic disorders will affect the course of human evolution. Evaluate this criticism in light of what you know about population genetics and evolution, distinguishing between somatic gene therapy and germ-line gene therapy.

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Understand the difference between somatic and germ-line gene therapy: Somatic gene therapy involves altering genes in specific tissues of an individual, without affecting the individual's germ cells (sperm or eggs), while germ-line gene therapy involves changes to the germ cells, which can be passed on to future generations.
Consider the impact of somatic gene therapy on evolution: Since somatic gene therapy does not affect germ cells, it does not directly influence the genetic makeup of future generations and therefore has minimal impact on human evolution.
Evaluate the potential evolutionary impact of germ-line gene therapy: Germ-line gene therapy can introduce changes that are heritable, potentially affecting the genetic diversity and evolutionary trajectory of human populations.
Discuss the role of natural selection and genetic diversity: In population genetics, natural selection acts on genetic variation within a population. Germ-line gene therapy could reduce genetic diversity if it leads to widespread adoption of certain genetic traits, potentially affecting the population's ability to adapt to environmental changes.
Consider ethical and societal implications: The use of germ-line gene therapy raises ethical concerns about 'designer babies' and the potential for unintended consequences, which could influence public perception and regulatory policies, ultimately affecting its impact on human evolution.

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Key Concepts

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

Population Genetics

Population genetics is the study of genetic variation within populations and involves the examination of allele frequency changes under the influence of evolutionary processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. Understanding population genetics is crucial for evaluating how gene therapy might impact genetic diversity and evolutionary trajectories in human populations.
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Descriptive Genetics

Somatic vs. Germ-Line Gene Therapy

Somatic gene therapy involves altering the genes in somatic (non-reproductive) cells, affecting only the individual treated and not passed to future generations. In contrast, germ-line gene therapy modifies the genes in germ cells (sperm or eggs), which can be inherited by offspring. This distinction is vital for assessing the long-term evolutionary implications of gene therapy on human populations.
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Evolutionary Impact of Gene Therapy

The evolutionary impact of gene therapy refers to how interventions in genetic disorders might influence the genetic makeup of future generations. Critics argue that germ-line modifications could lead to unintended consequences on human evolution, such as altering natural selection pressures. Evaluating these potential impacts requires a deep understanding of evolutionary theory and genetic principles.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

In an isolated population of 50 desert bighorn sheep, a mutant recessive allele c when homozygous causes curled coats in both males and females. The normal dominant allele C produces straight coats. A biologist studying these sheep counts four with curled coats. She also takes blood samples from the population for DNA analysis, which reveals that 17 of the sheep are heterozygous carriers of the c allele. What is the inbreeding coefficient F for this population?

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Textbook Question

To increase genetic diversity in the bighorn sheep population described in Problem 23, ten sheep are introduced from a population where the c allele is absent. Assuming that random mating occurs between the original and the introduced sheep, and that the c allele is selectively neutral, what will be the frequency of c in the next generation?

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Textbook Question

What genetic changes take place during speciation?

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Textbook Question

List the barriers that prevent interbreeding, and give an example of each.

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Textbook Question

What are the two groups of reproductive isolating mechanisms? Which of these is regarded as more efficient, and why?

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Textbook Question

A form of dwarfism known as Ellis–van Creveld syndrome was first discovered in the late 1930s, when Richard Ellis and Simon van Creveld shared a train compartment on the way to a pediatrics meeting. In the course of conversation, they discovered that they each had a patient with this syndrome. They published a description of the syndrome in 1940. Affected individuals have a short-limbed form of dwarfism and often have defects of the lips and teeth, and polydactyly (extra fingers). The largest pedigree for the condition was reported in an Old Order Amish population in eastern Pennsylvania by Victor McKusick and his colleagues (1964). In that community, about 5 per 1000 births are affected, and in the population of 8000, the observed frequency is 2 per 1000. All affected individuals have unaffected parents, and all affected cases can trace their ancestry to Samuel King and his wife, who arrived in the area in 1774. It is known that neither King nor his wife was affected with the disorder. There are no cases of the disorder in other Amish communities, such as those in Ohio or Indiana.

What is the most likely explanation for the high frequency of the disorder in the Pennsylvania Amish community and its absence in other Amish communities?

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