“Doctor, Can You Help Me?” Part 1

What is it? This is a research project in which you will investigate a genetic disorder and present your findings in a brochure created with Microsoft Publisher. You are expected to become an expert in the disorder that you choose. You may want to choose a disorder that affects someone that you know, so talk to your parents before making a final decision. See Mrs. W. for a long list of possible research topics. I choose to research _____________________________________. Research due date ________________________. (All research must be complete and your sections are to be written in paragraph form by this date.) Brochure due date ________________________. (We will make the brochures in class and instructions will be provided later.) What must be included in the brochure? You can follow the outline below while conducting your research. The questions listed are designed to provoke thought and to help you determine what is significant and what is not. They are not to be answered individually as a question and answer session. Introduction · What is the name of the disorder? · Are there any other names by which it is commonly known? Type of Inheritance · Is this disorder inherited as a dominant or a recessive trait? What does that mean? · Is it an X-linked trait? What does that mean? · What type of chromosomal error occurred for someone to have this disorder? Description of the Disorder · What are the features of the disorder? · How does it affect a person? · What is it like to have the disorder? · What problems are associated with the disorder? · Is the disorder physically limiting? · Is the disorder life threatening? · Is the disorder fatal? · Is the disorder found more commonly in certain groups of people, such as a particular ethnic group or particular sex? Detection · Can the disorder be detected before its symptoms appear? If so, how? · Can the disorder be detected parentally (before birth)? If so, how? · Is there a way to detect a carrier of the disorder? If so, how? Treatment · Can anything be done for the disorder? · Can the basic defect be treated? · Can the symptoms or results of the disorder be treated? · Is there a cure for this disorder? · Is there any gene therapy for this disorder? · How do societies outside of Western medicine treat people with this disorder? · How did ancient civilizations treat people with this disorder?