Applied Human Genetics Carrier Status
Applied Human Genetics Carrier Status
- Carefully review these instructions. Then, answer each of the following three questions in a complete paragraph (3–5 sentences) using two pieces of evidence or examples learned in the class. Other than these instructions, the only source that should be used is the textbook. Remember to use Strayer Writing Standards in-text citations for all forms of integrating evidence, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, or quoting information from the textbook.
- A biotechnology company offers a direct-to-consumer test called the Carrier Status report that generates various calculations about an individual’s genetic risk for certain diseases. Write one paragraph that addresses the following two issues:
- Why would this be most useful for disorders following an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance? Provide evidence from your textbook (e.g., Section 10.7, Inheritance Patterns in Humans).
- Explain how this information might be useful for people during their reproductive years.
- The Carrier Status report mentioned above is packaged along with a Genetic Health Risk report. Neither has been approved by the FDA for diagnosing illness. They have only been approved for general informational purposes about an individual’s health risks.
- In one paragraph of 3–5 sentences, explain whether this limited approval status would affect how much credibility you would give to the information in the report.
- Defend your position with examples or evidence.
- There are three slightly different alleles of the APOE gene known as a2, a3, and a4. The most common allele is a3. As discussed in the textbook, Section 11.1, Personal Genomic Testing, the a4 allele is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. If you have one copy of the a4 allele, your lifetime risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease goes up to 47%, as compared to 20% for the overall population. If you have two copies of the a4 allele, your risk is even higher. There is no known certain way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, certain factors, such as reading, crossword puzzles, and education, are correlated with reduced risk.
- The Carrier Status report mentioned in question 1 would provide information about the risk of developing Alzheimer’s based upon the a4 allele. In a paragraph of 3–5 sentences, describe at least one benefit and one possible concern of getting a genotype report from a genetic testing company that indicates the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s or another disease.
- Defend your position with examples or evidence.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
- Articulate the processes of scientific inquiry and its relevance to modern life.
- A biotechnology company offers a direct-to-consumer test called the Carrier Status report that generates various calculations about an individual’s genetic risk for certain diseases. Write one paragraph that addresses the following two issues:
- By submitting this paper, you agree: (1) that you are submitting your paper to be used and stored as part of the SafeAssign™ services in accordance with the ; (2) that your institution may use your paper in accordance with your institution’s policies; and (3) that your use of SafeAssign will be without recourse against Blackboard Inc. and its affiliates.
You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.
Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.
Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.
The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS
Discussion Questions (DQ)
Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.
Weekly Participation
Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.
APA Format and Writing Quality
Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.
Use of Direct Quotes
I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.
LopesWrite Policy
For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.
Late Policy
The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading. Applied Human Genetics Carrier Status
Communication
Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours. Applied Human Genetics Carrier Status