Genetics - Genetic Disorder Role Play Activity

Genetic Disorder Role Play Activity

Teacher: Sandra McCreight
Subject: Decision making
Grade Level(s): 9 10
Target Audience: Genetics
Materials Needed: March of Dimes genetic condition sheets, Decision-Making Model
Class Time: 3 to 4 45 minute class periods
Brief Summary: As students begin to understand how inheritance patterns operate, they realize that sometimes something goes wrong. Alleles can be inherited that have a deleterious effect upon an offspring. Nondisjunction can (and does) occur also having negative effects on the offspring. Students are now confronted by their own feelings and belief systems as to what to do in these situations. This activity affords them the chance to explore feelings and beliefs within a framework that is non-threatening to themselves or others. It also allows them the opportunity to use ethical decision-making models.
Student Objective(s): Reinforcement of inheritance patters. Non-disjunction: how it occurs and its consequences. Role playing to enhance above concepts. Use of Decision-Making Models.
Integration (tying it all together): All students are capable of understanding basic genetic inheritance patterns. This activity takes them the further step to understand what happens when mistakes occur. These are often long-term consequences that can affect a family when confronted by the situation. The use of a decision-making model affords students the chance to explore and develop a decision that is "best" for them. This model can be used in many ways in their lives.
Description of Activities:: 1.) Students are divided into groups of three, four or five.; 2.) Roles are assigned as follows: Group of 3: doctor, mother, father; Group of 4: doctor, mother, father, sibling; Group of 5: doctor, mother, father, sibling, grandparent.; 3.) Students develop presentations explaining disorders, inheritance pattern, expenses involved, and options. Each family member must participate given their unique perspective to the family decision.; 4.) Use a decision-making model as a class activity. SODAS is good for first time use.; 5.) Have each group now do the decision-making model for another group's dilemma.; 6.) Discuss as a class why there are options to each situation and how diagnosis occurs using genetic counseling.
Further Information and References: March of Dimes

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