Activities for Reproductive choices

Here are activities to help with the teaching of this topic.

The Gift

This is a moving and informative play about an inherited disease and its affect on one family. The DVD has to be purchased. Related activities are available free on the Y-touring web site.
http://www.ytouring.org.uk/Media/giftvideo.html

LSS: Appropriate levels of communication

In this activity students pick out what makes a science story accessible and learn how to write at an appropriate level for a particular audience.
Teacher notes and student sheets (793 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (116 KB)

Genes and You

This set of short activities related to inherited diseases covers a variety of issues including individual dilemmas to discuss, information on a several inherited conditions and some future implications. They are designed to bring out the science and the ethical implications.
http://www.gig.org.uk/genesandyoucontents.htm

Huntington's Disease

This activity gives a short review of the inheritance of disease caused by a dominant allele. It asks students to justify their opinions on the use of genetic tests for a late onset disease.
Teacher notes and student sheets (464 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (45 KB)

Antenatal testing

This activity will introduce students to some of the issues involved in medical screening during pregnancy using different techniques.
Students will also think about false positive and false negative results in relation to such tests, and the possible consequences for prospective parents and society.
Teacher notes and student sheets (392 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (66 KB)

Human karyotypes

In this activity students learn how a sample from amniocentesis is analysed to detect the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. They carry out a practical matching activity and report on the sex and any abnormalities in the karyotype. The activity complements those on antenatal testing and on genetic counselling.
Teacher notes and student sheets (646 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (192 KB)

Using ethical frameworks activity

Students are given a statement about pre-natal screening and a set of ethical arguments that challenge or support the statement. They are asked to decide which ethical framework is being used in each argument.
Teacher notes and student sheets (342 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (36 KB)

Genetic counselling

In this activity students will first carry out research into sickle cell and beta thalassaemia and will then watch (or read transcripts from) a number of short clips of people talking about their feelings when they were screened for these genetic diseases.
They will then role play a genetic counselling session taking the role of either the pregnant woman/partner, or a genetic counsellor.
The whole activity will take at least 1 lesson (although some of the research could be set for homework in a prior lesson).
Teacher notes and student sheets (458 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (57 KB)

Genetic testing and screening

This activity encourages students to read an article which provides a good overview of the issues involved in genetic testing. It will also teach them useful reading skills, thinking more carefully about the meaning of each section so that they can supply their own headings.
Teacher notes and student sheets (388 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (47 KB)

Analyse a DNA finger print

This short activity allows students to actually ‘read’ a set of DNA finger-prints of mother, child and possible father to decide a paternity case.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/resources/guide/earthappenact3.html

Designer babies

This activity explores the meanings of the term ‘designer baby’. It provides a review of the techniques and the issues associated with the application of genetics to human reproduction. Students align themselves across the room according to their opinion and then justify their position.
Teacher notes and student sheets (460 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (49 KB)

LSS: Making sense of text: representing it in your own way

Students read a piece of text and then represent it in the way that best helps them to remember it.
Teacher notes and student sheets (744 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (95 KB)
Catalyst article on In vitro fertilisation (475 KB)

Debate on sex selection

This formal debate on sex selection of children requires good preparation. It encourages students to use their knowledge to develop a persuasive argument.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-and-education/Big-Picture/All-issues/Sex-and-Gender/index.htm

Review question on cystic fibrosis

This is an exam style question which reviews the genetics of cystic fibrosis, the process of PGD, screening procedures for cystic fibrosis and false positives.
Teacher notes and student sheets (417 KB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (55 KB)

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis - exam style question

This activity is similar to Unit 1 exam questions. It tests understanding of PGD and some of the ethical issues involved.
Teacher notes and student sheets (1.3 MB)
Teacher notes and student sheets (70 KB)