Unit B1a: Topic 2 - Genes

Scientists are able to extract and modify genes in order to change the properties of crops and animals used as food. Scientists are also able to clone organisms and some scientists hope to produce cloned body parts for transplantation surgery. Studying this topic gives students opportunities to interpret data produced through breeding experiments. Students can use various kinds of resources to consider the benefits, drawbacks and risks of scientific decisions are made and how ethical concerns of society can be considered, for example in relation to cloning.

Guidance for students: When will I be able to get medicines especially made for me?; How can genetics be used to cure diseases?

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Describe some of the implications of the outcome of the Human Genome Project to include the use of DNA evidence in forensic science and medicine
• Describe the social and ethical concerns of cloning mammals, including the possibility of cloning of human body parts for transplant surgery.
• (Consider the contemporary theory of 'designer babies' and explain why today's scientists are finding so much opposition to this being publicly accepted.)