How can we prevent and treat birth defects?

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Birth defects affect approximately one in 33 newborns in the United States. The cost of lifetime care for infants born in a single year, with one or more of 17 severe birth defects, has been estimated at $6 billion. The emotional cost of birth defects to the child and the family are beyond estimate. Almost all birth defects are inherited or caused by poor nutrition and health habits of mothers prior to and during pregnancy.

Recently, new techniques in analyzing human DNA have discovered many of the genes that can cause birth defects. This analysis can be done by analyzing and selecting healthy eggs and sperm prior to conception. Most genetic analysis is usually performed after conception, in the early stages of pregnancy.

Unfortunately, such analysis has become controversial because parents could use the information to abort defective embryos. Just what are the ethics involved in the use of genetic testing for these purposes?

ProQuest has created a model BookCart to use for this activity -- Genetic Testing and Bioethics. BookCarts ensure that both students and teachers save time and that teachers can manage inquiry-based activities more effectively.

Copy BookCart: Logon to the eLibrary Science Teacher Edition > Click BookCart Admin > Select the ProQuest Carts tab > Open the eLibrary Science -- BookCarts folder > Click the Copy icon to the right of Genetic Testing and Bioethics > Return to My Local Carts and look for Copy of Genetic Testing and Bioethics

You will want to edit your new BookCart immediately. Click the title (Copy of Genetic Testing and Bioethics) to open it, type your name in the Author boxes, delete "Copy of" from its title, then save your new Cart.

This BookCart contains some examples of essential questions for critical thinking to guide and motivate students. These questions require multiple resources, analysis, synthesis, and reasoned original thought to answer creatively. Use at least three resources in a written report of 150-200 words.

Take advantage of our new ProQuest models that your students can use for written or PowerPoint-style reports.