Question 2 of 21

When it comes to the prospect of picking genetic traits for "designer babies," what is an argument against doing so?

... There are many issues up for discussion on the topic of designer babies, including costs, professional ethics and potential discrimination against non-designer babies due to their potentially less desirable traits.

Question 3 of 21

True designer babies, whose parents select for all of the most desirable traits, are likely impossible because ___________.

... Since environment plays a factor in many traits, such as height, weight, personality and intelligence, scientists will probably be able to promise only a "likelihood" of these factors.

Question 4 of 21

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is used to test for genetic markers for ________.

... Before in vitro fertilization occurs, PGD is widely used to detect markers for blindness, cancer and mental retardation. It is also employed to determine which embryo will be most viable in a mother who is prone to miscarriages.

Question 5 of 21

The screening process used to determine embryonic sex for in vitro fertilization was originally developed by the U.S.__________.

... The Department of Agriculture originally created the sex screening process for cattle.

Question 6 of 21

To regulate genetic technology in the U.K., the government there has _________.

... In 1991, the parliament established the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority.

Question 7 of 21

In 2009, the Fertility Institutes, with clinics in the United States and Mexico, stated its intention to use preimplantation genetic diagnosis to allow selection for hair and eye color. The discussion following this announcement resulted in ________.

... In light of the ensuing controversy, the Fertility Institutes decided to discontinue its plans to offer hair and eye color selection. The organization continues to offer fertility treatments and screening for many diseases.

Question 8 of 21

Due in a large part to fertility treatments, the percentage of twin births in the United States has increased ________since 1980.

... According to the National Center for Health Statistics, twin births have increased almost 70 percent since 1980.

Question 9 of 21

Some professionals who are wary of "designer babies" believe that before mothers have the necessary procedures, there should be __________.

... Some medical ethicists think prospective parents should be required to undergo counseling so they will be able to consider all of the consequences of their decision.

Question 10 of 21

In the movie Gattaca (1997) the combination of preimplantation genetic diagnosis and biometrics allows which group to receive preferential treatment?

... The "valids," who were born after their parents used preimplantation genetic testing, were able to be employed as professionals.

Question 11 of 21

Which American agency is responsible for gene therapy oversight?

... To a limited extent, the NIH and the FDA regulate gene therapy in the U.S.

Question 12 of 21

Transhumanists believe that ____________.

... Transhumanists (symbolized by "h+") favor the use of technology to improve the human condition, such as eradicating aging and improving intelligence and physical abilities.

Question 13 of 21

During the process of preimplantation diagnosis, what is "negative enhancement?"

... Negative enhancement would allow parents to select traits that are favorable to them but not to the wider society. For instance, deaf parents might want to select deaf offspring, since the children would become part of the parents' deaf community.

Question 14 of 21

How many babies born in the United States have some kind of chromosomal abnormality?

... According to the March of Dimes, one in 150 American babies has a chromosomal abnormality.

Question 15 of 21

According to a New York University of Medicine study, what percentage of parents would favor the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for screening for mental retardation?

... The study found that 75 percent of the participants favored using PGD to screen for retardation. Ten percent would screen for height, and 13 percent would screen for intelligence.

Question 16 of 21

In 1976, the first genetic manipulation was done on which type of animal?

... Mice were genetically altered to make them better test subjects.

Question 17 of 21

Clonaid, a project founded to develop human cloning, was started by the Raelian Movement, whose members believe ___________.

... Raelians believe that humans were created by scientists from a different planet. The alien scientists created all life forms on earth and have since been misinterpreted by humans as "gods."

Question 18 of 21

One of the primary benefits of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) over amniocentesis is ____________.

... Amniocentesis is usually done during the second trimester of pregnancy. With PGD, embryos are tested within a few days of fertilization.

Question 19 of 21

The year 1978 was significant for genetic technology because it was the year ___________.

... Louise Brown was born in the United Kingdom. Her birth was the result of in vitro fertilization, where the sperm fertilizes the egg outside the mother's body.

Question 20 of 21

ANDi, a rhesus monkey born in 2001, was important because he was genetically altered to have _________.

... ANDi was the first primate modified to have the jellyfish gene responsible for bioluminescence. (His name, backwards, stands for "inserted DNA.") Although ANDi did not glow, rodents with the jellyfish gene have.

Question 21 of 21

What is a "savior sibling?"

... Couples have used preimplantation genetic diagnosis in order to conceive a genetic match for a sick child. This "savior sibling" will be the best match for a transplant.

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