genetics
the science that accounts for natural differences and resemblances among organisms related by descent
heredity
the process by which organisms pass genetic traits on to their offspring
DNA
the combination of proteins, called nucleotides, that is arranged to make up an organism's chromosomes
chromosome
a microscopic structure found within the nucleus of all living cells that carries genes responsible for the organism's characteristics
gene
a tiny segment of DNA found on a chromosome within a cell's nucleus. Each gene holds the formula for making a specific enzyme or protein
genome
all the DNA in an organism, including its genes
Human Genome Project
A scientific project funded by the US government, begun in 1990 and successfully completed in 2000, for the purpose of mapping all of a human's genes
DNA tests
conducted on samples of solid tissues such as hair roots, skin, or bone, and from body fluids such as blood, semen, or saliva
predictive testing
used to see if genes are present that could lead to hereditary diseases or other harmful genetic conditions
carrier testing
used to determine if individuals carry harmful genes that could be passed on to offspring
prenatal testing
used to see, through a process called amniocentesis, if harmful genes are present in a fetus
amniocentesis
a test whereby the physician withdraws a sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus of a pregnant woman. The fluid is then tested for genetic or other conditions that may lead to abnormal development of the fetus
preimplantation testing
tests for harmful genes in embryos after artificial insemination but before implantation. Usually offered to couples who have a reasonable chance of passing on harmful genes
forensic testing
used in law enforcement to eliminate or designate suspects in a crime, identify homicide victims, or to otherwise analyse
DNA samples for law enforcement purposes
tracing linage
used in determining parentage or other relationships within families
newborn screening tests
usually performed routinely to check for treatable, harmful genetic conditions or diseases, such as PKU
diagnostic testing
if symptoms have appeared, doctors can order tests for patients to confirm or rule out certain genetic diseases
mutation
a permanent change in DNA
genetic counselor
an expert in human genetics who is qualified to counsel individuals who may have inherited genes for certain diseases or conditions
genetic discrimination
differential treatment of individuals based on their actual or presumed genetic differences
Lisa N Geller
of Harvard Medical School, conducted a comprehensive and still often-quoted study of genetic discrimination throughout the 1990s, which found that a number of institutions were reported to have engaged in genetic discrimination
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
prohibits discrimination in health insurance and employment based on genetic information
HIPAA
prevents health insurers from denying coverage based on genetic information, but applies only to individuals moving between group health insurance plans
Americans with Disabilities Act
offers some protection against genetic discrimination in the workplace; protects those who have a genetic condition or disease, or are regarded as having a disability, against discrimination; a person with a disability cannot be denied insurance or be sub
genetic engineering
manipulation of DNA within the cells of plants, animals, and other organisms through synthesis, alteration, or repair to ensure that certain harmful traits will be eliminated in offspring and that desirable traits will appear and be passed on
clone
an organism produced asexually usually from a single cell of the parent
cloning
the process by which organisms are created asexually, usually from a single cell of the parent organism
xenotransplantation
transplanting of animal tissues and organs into humans
blastocysts
early-stage human embryos which consist of about 20 cells and are considered valuable for research because they are composed of stem cells
stem cells
cells that have the potential to become any type of body cell
Dickey Wicker Amendment
prohibits federal funding for "research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero
multipotent stem cells
stem cells that can become a limited number of types of tissues and cells in the body
pluripotent stem cells
stem cells that can become almost all types of tissues and cells in the body
gene therapy
treating harmful genetic diseases or traits by eliminating or modifying the harmful gene
somatic gene therapy
involves the insertion of normal copies of a gene into the cells of persons with a specific genetic disease
germ line gene therapy
involves the correction of an abnormality in the genes of sperm or egg but is presently considered an inappropriate way to deal with genetic diseases
infertility
the failure to conceive for a period of 12 months or longer due to a deviation from or interruption of the normal structure or function of any reproductive part, organ, or system
in vitro fertilization
in this process, eggs and sperm are brought together outside the body in a test tube or petri dish; when fertilization takes place, the resulting embryo can then be frozen in liquid nitrogen for future use or implanted in the female uterus for pregnancy t
artificial insemination
this process involves the mechanical injection of viable semen into the vagina
homologous artificial insemination
when the husband's sperm cells are used to fertilize the wife's eggs
heterologous artificial insemination
if the husband's sperm cells are not viable, a donor's sperm may be used to fertilize the wife's eggs
surrogate mother
a woman who agrees to carry a child to term for a couple, often for a fee
gestational surrogacy
a type of surrogacy where the surrogate is not genetically related to the embryo
traditional surrogacy
a type of surrogacy where the surrogate contributes eggs to produce the embryo or is related to either husband or wife
Indian Child Welfare Act
this act's provisions outline specific rules and procedures that must be followed if the adoption of a Native American child is to be approved
agency adoptions
adoptions when state-licensed and/or state-regulated public or private adoption agencies place children with adoptive parents; usually place those children who have been orphaned or whose parents have lost or relinquished parental rights through abuse, ab
independent or private adoptions
adoptions arranged without the involvement of adoption agencies; at some point an attorney must be involved to ensure the legality of the adoption
identified adoptions
adoptions in which adopting parents locate a birth mother, or vice versa, and then ask an agency to take over the adoption process; can bypass the long waiting lists that most agencies maintain for adoptions and can perhaps be better assured that the adop
international adoptions
adoptions which occur when couples adopt children who are citizens of foreign countries
relative adoptions
adoptions in which the child is related to the adoptive parent by blood or marriage
clone
comes from the Latin root meaning "to cut from
parens patriae
a legal doctrine that gives the state the authority to act in a child's best interest; means "father of the people
Child Abuse Amendments
federal law, regarding severely disabled newborns, says if the parents agree, physicians may legally withhold treatment, including food and water from infants who are chronically and irreversibly comatose, will most certainly die and for whom treatment is
safe haven laws
state laws that allow mothers to abandon newborns to designated safe facilities without penalty
mature minors
individuals in their mid- to late teens who, for health care purposes, are considered mature enough to comprehend a physician's recommendations and give informed consent; can seek medical treatment without the consent of a parent or guardian in certain cr
emancipated minors
individuals in their mid- to late teens who legally live outside parents' or guardians' control; can be at the request of the parents or a minor child
judicial bypass
when minors do not tell their parents about a pregnancy and either travel out of state or obtain approval from a judge to obtain an abortion
Huntington's disease
disease which is incurable, debilitating, and fatal, affecting the brain and the nervous system; symptoms typically do not develop until individuals reach middle age
Down syndrome
results from the extra copy of chromosome 21
Aarskog syndrome
linked to the X chromosome and found mostly in males, affects height, muscle and skeletal formation, and appearance of the face
Alzheimer's disease
the most frequent cause of dementia in older adults that eventually leads to organ breakdown and death; APOE gene is associated with its development
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
causes rapidly worsening muscle weakness, usually appears before age six
Elliptocytosis
red blood cells are abnormally shaped causing fatigue, shortness of breath, an enlarged spleen in adults, and jaundice in infants
phenylketonuria
a metabolic disorder for which all newborns are tested; it results in mental retardation if left untreated (PKU)
Sickle cell anemia
a malformation of the red blood cells most often diagnosed in African Americans
Tay Sachs disease
a lipid metabolism disorder that affects some people of Jewish descent; children with the disease seldom survive childhood