John R. Hoffman is a Professor of Biology, public speaker and a scientist examining the recovery of the nervous system after injury. Since 2006 he has written several unpublished manuscripts and he is currently working on the first Nathaniel Smythe novel and short story collection. He spends his spare time with his family and running.

29 DNA Analysis

Objectives

By the end of this lecture, the student will be able to:

  1. Explain what can be learned by sequencing an organism’s genome.
  2. Describe how knowing an individual’s specific gene characteristics can provide information about the risk of diseases.

DNA Analysis Part 1: Genomic Sequencing

The first half of the DNA analysis lecture reviews DNA sequencing, the human genome project, and the sequencing of the genome of other species. The handout for this presentation can be downloaded and printed.

Reading:

DNA Sequencing (2011). National Human Genome Research Institute. National Institutes of Health.

A guide to your genome. (2007). National Human Genome Research Institute. National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication no. 07-6284.

DNA Analysis Part II Genetic Testing

This second half of the DNA analysis lecture examines the leg an and ethical impact of individual genetic testing. The handout for this presentation can be downloaded and printed.

Reading:

Genetic Testing: Benefits, cost, risks, and limitations of genetic testing (2012). U.S. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health.

Wadman (2010). Breast cancer gene patents judged invalid. Nature.

Devi (2012) BRCA patent dispute may head to US Supreme Court. Lancet 379(9813):300.

Assignment: Gene Patenting

Review the article Genetics and Patenting (2010). Human Genome Project Information. Within your discussion group, consider whether or not it is ethical to patent genes in the human genome.

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