...Genetics of Late Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is a frightening and expensive disease. Studies show that in 2010 over $215 billion dollars were spent on dementia care, and the condition is among one of the highest diseases that people currently fear getting, second only to cancer (PBS). Scientists are actively searching for clues to determine cause of this disease. Due to the fact that the genetics and risk factors of late-onset are not fully understood, scientists around the globe are actively researching Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and developing theories and finding clues that may help with identifying the causes, genetic risks, and biomarkers or early indicators of the disease. Research into these areas...
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...There a number of factors pertaining to genetic mapping and testing for future health problems that can create dilemmas for both the patient and the health care providers. There is always uncertainty and numerous variables when genes pose the probability of predisposition to certain diseases. As to the procedure in which this problem is addressed one needs “To uncover the patient’s genetic background.” In cases of certain types of cancer, for example, there are four specific traits that suggest it is a wise course to take upon genetic testing of the patients’ family members. This is possible in 60% to 95% of the families of cancer patients. The predictions of genetic testing can reduce apprehension and uncertainly of the tested patient. This predictive genetic testing can be a stress reduces for those who have a family history of hereditary disease. Profound anxiety may occur when gray shades pertaining to the uncertainty of a gene cells propensity to carry a serious disease exists within the family history. This stressful mental frame of is a dilemma unto itself, so psychological counseling may be necessary for some patients. Psychological counseling may apply for ton’s illnesses such as hunting disease (a neuro degenerative disease) as well as certain hereditary forms of cancer and some hereditary heart diseases. “The psychological counseling should be tailored to the specific characteristics of the disease.” A disease with no known care such as Huntington’s disease needs...
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...Genetic counseling Above the last few years, research and developments in genetics have exceeded our potentials and have changed the approach of thinking of us about health. We know genetics has been involve in newborn screening, pre and postnatal diagnosis, hematological disorders and solid tumour, nearly every disorder is subject in by an individual’s genetic material. Consequently, it is important to consider the effect of genetics for any disorder during a patient’s life. Each disorders have different genetic pattern, and how much genes contribute to disease remains to be learned. Advance development in understanding the genetic changes in these disorders allows early diagnostic tests, advance treatments, or interventions to prevent disease...
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...Genetic testing is a scientific process in which an individual’s DNA can be screened for mutations or variations that may cause certain diseases or dysfunctions. It is my opinion that standard genetic testing for disease or the predisposition to disease is purely beneficial. Having clear answers as to whether or not a person may carry a higher risk for some diseases may in fact save their life, or the lives of their current or future children. However, over the years of development of the science, more and more controversial types of testing have developed. In this paper, the science of genetic testing will be introduced by going through a brief history, the different types of genetic testing available, as well as the controversies that surround them. History Genetic testing had a very positive and productive start. The first usage of Genetic Testing occurred over half a century ago, beginning with the testing of infants for PKU, or Phenylketonuria, “an inborn error of metabolism in which an amino acid buildup in the blood causes mental retardation.” (Lewis) To test infants, a drop of blood was taken from their heel while at the hospital after birth. If a child was found positive for PKU, dietary treatment was used to prevent loss of brain function. Testing was reliable and results were accurate. The disease being tested for was easily treatable, and every child that came through was tested without a problem. (Lewis) In the 1970’s, doctors began the process of testing...
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...1. Our genes have 2 forms of each of them. One of these forms comes from our mother and the other form comes from our father. These forms of the genes are called alleles. These alleles combine to form the whole gene. If both these alleles or the forms of the gene inherited from both the mother and the father are the same, the child will be homozygous and if these alleles are different, the child will be heterozygous. Since Gilbert has inherited a homozygous pair (DD), he will be dark haired. In the same way, since Jan has inherited a homozygous pair for the blond hair (bb), Jan will have blond hair. Out of dark hair and blond hair, the dark hair is the dominant trait. Therefore, all their children will inherit dark hair. 2. Genetic counseling will help couples who have decided to have a child see whether there are any risks of giving birth to a child with genetic disorder. If so, the genetic counselor will assist the couple to choose another option like adopting or surrogacy. First, the genetic counselor will ask for any family history of having mental retardation, psychological defects, physical defects etc. from the couple. Then, he/she will create a family...
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...and that this human genome project is boarder line of scientist trying to imitate God and his marvelous works. (Davies, Kevin. cracking the genome: inside the race to unlock human dna. New York: free press, 2001) Eradicating diseases are much needed and can prove to be very helpful through research, however I think genetics where meant to be passed from generation to generation. The term positive eugenics is an oxymoron; it somehow seems that these two words collide with each other as if they do not fit. However, negative genetic engineering consists of justifying or taking out genes to stop or take care of genetic disease. It is difficult to think that humans could perhaps control reproduction and decide on offspring in a way that will be moral for society as a whole, one has to believe that this person or persons who think this is proper to attempt has no reference of who God really is. The word eugenics was invented by Francis Galton in 1833, at this point being in its very basic form of concept. Eugenics refers to practices designed to improve the genetic makeup of the human race. (Jones, G. 1982. "Eugenics and Social Policy Between the Wars," History...
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...For this part of the assignment I am going to be evaluating how nature and nurture may affect the development of an individual over two life stages. I will be looking at the effects of nature, nurture in relation to the Jim twins, development over their childhood and adulthood. D1 Nature and Nurture Effects on Childhood Physical Development The Jim twins were identical twins and nature obviously had a big effect on how they looked, both the boys inherited genetics from their parents which determined what they were going too looked like, during their childhood the boys would have looked identical, but they just didn’t know each other. But one twin in his childhood had a fringe and the other didn’t, these different hair styles would have been the effect of nurture as he would have been influenced to have his hair that way by seeing others with the same hairstyle or his adoptive parents wanting him to have his hair like that. Nature would have had an effect on the twin’s physical development as the genes they gathered from their biological parents would have determined that during their childhood, they disliked basketball and other sports, this could have been because, both their parents may not of been very sporty, which could of led them to inherit gene which meant they were going to be very athletic/sporty either. On the...
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...PKD. The cause of the disease, the history, symptoms and treatment and preventions had peeked my interest from the day I was diagnosed with. Polycystic kidney disease. The kidneys are vital to human life, our body has two kidneys that are shaped like beans, and they preform many important tasks in our body’s regulation. Our kidneys work to extract waste from our blood. They also form urine, balance our body fluids and balance our electrolytes. In this paper I will discuss polycystic kidney disease, the causes, history, affects to the body, treatment, and prevention for the disease. Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder, which is inherited and affects the kidneys. The disease causes clusters of cysts to grow in the kidneys. The cysts are non-cancerous; the cysts are fluid filled and have a round shape to them. These sacs can range in sizes in the kidneys from...
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...is recognized more simply as Lynch syndrome, a form of inherent cancer of the digestive tract. (Cancer.net , 2013) This means that the cancer is passed through family members because someone has the specific mutated gene that is responsible for causing the cancer. “Approximately 3 out of every 100 people in the United States diagnosed with colorectal cancer have Lynch syndrome, or an estimated 4000 people per year.” (Dotson, 2011) Colorectal cancer is typically diagnosed after the age of 70 in the general population and a person with Lynch Syndrome would be diagnosed before the age of 50. (Cancer.net , 2013) “Most mutations that cause Lynch syndrome are found in the MLH1 or MSH2 genes.” (Cancer.net , 2013) Not only will a mutation in one of these two genes cause Lynch Syndrome, but a person...
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...Introduction Introduction Outline and evaluate the role of genetic factors in aggressive behaviour (5+16 marks) Moghaddom (1998) distinguishes between explanations of aggression which are normative, and those which are causal. Causal explanations, as in this case, suggest aggression is determined by particular factors e.g. genes and are usually biological explanations. The genetic explanation of aggression suggests that it is influenced through our genes, and that such behaviour is therefore inherited. Para 1 A01 Para 1 A01 It is thought that aggression is due to a defective gene that is inherited by following generations. One possible gene is the Monoamine Oxidase A gene, which produces Monoamine Oxidase A enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters associated with aggression. It is thought that a build-up of serotonin and dopamine can cause an individual to act aggressively to stress in the fight or flight response. There are two forms of the gene, MAOA-H (produces a high level of the enzyme) and MAOA-L (produces a low amount of the enzyme). The presence of the MAOA-L gene is related to an increase likelihood of aggression. One third of people in Western countries have the MAOA-L gene, compared to two thirds in countries with a history of warfare; leading the gene to be dubbed with the term “warrior gene”. Para 2 A02 Para 2 A02 Research to support the role of the MAOA gene comes from Cases et al who disabled the gene in the X chromosome of mice. As no enzyme was produced...
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...2011). Epidemiology and genetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetically heterogeneous heart muscle disorder. This disorder is characterized by a left ventricular hypertrophy, with an involvement of interventricular septum. This disease affects...
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...Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that is associated with growth delays, specific facial characteristics, and includes some mild to moderate intellectual disability. DS occurs due to an extra chromosome, and is often referred to as trisomy 21. Patients with DS have either a partial or full extra copy of chromose 21. The purpose of this paper is to describe the pathophysiology and epidemiology of the disorder. Next, the paper identifies family history and genetic testing options that are currently available. This paper covers bioethical principles that should be considered when providing healthcare to families that are caring for a dependent with DS. And finally, this paper discusses specific challenges and successes regarding healthcare services for DS. Pathophysiology and epidemiology...
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...most common forms of arthritis. It is known as a disease of the joints which “affects approximately 27 million Americans” (Arthritis Foundation). Osteoarthritis commonly affects joints in your hand, knees, back and hips but does not affect any of your organ. This disease gradually breaks down the cartilage in your joints, so when you move your bones rub against one another causing permeant damage to them. My mother and maternal grandma both have Osteoarthritis. For my mom, Osteoarthritis affects her joints in her arms and for my grandma it affects her joints around her knees, hips and back. According to the Arthritis Foundation, “although osteoarthritis was long believed to be caused by the “wear and tear” of...
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...TAQ 1 Male The scrotum is a sac of skin that holds the testicles, which are 2 oval glands containing seminiferous tubules that produce sperm. Sperm is stored in coiled tubes called epididymis which push sperm into the vas deferens. From there sperm passes into seminal vesicles, which produce seminal fluid. The sperm and seminal fluid combine to form semen. Ejaculatory ducts formed by the fusion of vas deferens and seminal vesicles empty into the urethra, contained in the penis. Together the urethra and penis form the passageway for ejaculation of semen. Muscle contraction of the prostate glands contributes to semen expulsion. The penis becomes engorged with blood causing the enlargement and stiffening of the penis required for intercourse....
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...Genetic testing a medical test carried out to identify changes within genes, proteins or chromosomes. Genetic testing is done on participants who are known to be at risk or a particular genetic condition or disease. This information can be seen within an individual’s family history. This test is useful to determine the change people passing on or developing a genetic disorder. Genetic testing is voluntary. The three main types of genetic testing include; Molecular genetic tests, chromosomal genetic tests and biochemical genetic tests. Genetic screening is a test carried out primarily on unborn children (embryos) to identify a current genetic disease or early detection of a genetic disease. This test is available to a transection of people...
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