Genetic Disease Symposium

Teacher: Susan L. Terry
Subject: Biology or Health
Grade Level(s): 7 8 9 10 11 12
Target Audience: Biology I, II, Genetics
Materials Needed: reference material
Class Time: 3 class periods
Student Objective(s): Students learn about simple and complex inheritance patterns, fetal development and the potential complicaions of teratogens, fetal and genetic testing, the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic counseling and a bonus element is a heightened sense of personal responsibility.
Integration (tying it all together): The family counseling report represents 50% of the six-weeks grade. It includes several family interviews, interpretation of the family information form, pedigree development, use of disease research file (developed by the class), a final report and a letter to the family from their counselor. The students discuss their findins with the class and provide an activity critique.
Description of Activities: Review basic vocabulary and pedigrees. Human Development: review meiosis, mutation and teratogens. Visit Child Development class. Complex inheritance patterns: build Rebops, view disease slides, genetic condition symposium. Genetic Counseling: The Brown Family exercise, continue resource file, guest speaker. Develop counseling materials and determine format. Provide family counseling, family counseling report for "child development parents". This is a very comprehensive activity that lasts six-weeks in a one-term genetics course. The condition symposium is a free-standing exercise that was adapted from an Access Excellence activity. It can be used effectively in a Biology or Health class at any level. One of the most important assets for the counseling session is a professional counselor willing to work with the class. The use of medical information forms from the local facility contributes to the realistic nature of the activity. The best result is student's increased awareness of all of the aspects of reproduction.
Further Information and References: Access Excellence

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