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This lesson examines the many reasons a person may choose to learn about their genetic information. For some, a difficult-to-diagnose disease might be identified thanks to genetic testing, while…

GINA (the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act) is a U.S. law to  protect people’s genetic information at work and in the health insurance market (with some exceptions). Students consider…

Why might families affected by a rare genetic disorder look to genetic testing and advances in genetic research? In the lesson, students learn about the successes and challenges facing families as…

Genetic testing kits are sold for many purposes. Most focus on health and/or ancestry traits, but some of these tests report on genetic markers that have been linked to athletic performance and risk…

Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is a new technique that enables prospective parents to avoid passing down certain serious medical conditions, called mitochondrial diseases, to their children…

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is caused by a common genetic variation that affects a person’s red blood cells. This SNAPSHOT explores why the variant that can cause red blood cells to sickle is more…

As scientists analyze DNA from more and more people, they are developing a better understanding of human genetic variation. Students learn what genetic variation is, and consider the questions: How…

Can genetic technology be used to rescue the Hawaiian honeycreeper birds? There are a new generation of genetic tools offering ways to change the world around us to improve human health, crops, and…

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by a loss of motor function. Researchers have developed treatments for people with this rare genetic disorder, and this lesson…

Technological developments are making it possible to read a person’s entire genetic code, or genome, more rapidly and at a lower cost than ever before. Personal genome sequencing is allowing…