WORKSHEET SECRET OF LIFE #1 : UNITY OF LIFE

NAME______________________________

"Post-Viewing" Questions:

1.  Why might scientists want to study the DNA of creatures such as ancient bacteria, yeast,                         nematodes, and insects preserved in amber?

2. In the program the Native American view of life is discussed. How is this ancient philosophy                       consistent with recent scientific discoveries about the relationship between all living things?

3. Scientists in this program say they want to decode the human genome "to discover what makes
          us human."
     a) In what ways can knowledge of the human genome contribute to this goal?
     b) Do you feel this the only way to discover what makes us human? Explain your answer.

4. What might be some of the implications if researchers located several genes associated with high           intelligence? (List at least 2)

5. Imagine that your doctor could obtain a map of your genome.
     a) How might you benefit from this information?
     b) Who else might want access to it, and why?

"Critical Thinking" Question:

6. From its earliest beginnings, the science of genetics has been associated with eugenics - the
           desire to "improve" the human species by selectively controlling reproduction.
     a) What would be the eugenic solution to the following situations?
                - the request of two mentally handicapped adults to be married?
                - the desire of a person, convicted on numerous charges of assult and battery, to have                          children while in jail?
                - the discovery of a genetic disease in a 12 week old fetus?
                - the development of breast cancer in an unmarried 25 year old woman who's mother and                          grandmother both died of breast cancer?
     b) Could modern genetic research lead to a "new eugenics"?
             Explain your answer.