GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson#21
Lesson title: The Ethical and Social Issues of Gene Therapy and Stem Materials:
Cell Research Student Activity Sheets, pen, marker.
TV
Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Define and describe Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Research References:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/therapy/
2. Identify and examine the ethical and social issues of Gene Therapy genetherapy
and Stem Cell Research https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-
procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-
3. depth/stem-cells/art-20048117
A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (2 mins)
Hello STS students! Finally, we’ll tackle our last topic for this semester about the Ethical and Social Issues
concerning Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Research. We discussed last meeting about GMO, now we will continue
discussing other applications of genetic engineering and some controversies related to these methods.
B.MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 1: Content Notes (13 mins)
Like all great new technologies, gene therapy does not come free from controversies. This technology has the power to
completely alter and change the course of humanity, in a potentially positive or maybe negative way.
Gene Therapy
Several approaches to gene therapy are being tested, including:
- Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene
- Inactivating, or “knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning improperly
- Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease
In general, a gene cannot be directly inserted into a person’s cell. It must be delivered to the cell using a
carrier, or vector. Vector systems can be divided into:
Viral Vectors
Non-viral Vectors
Currently, the most common type of vectors are viruses that have been genetically altered to carry
normal human DNA (see also Wiley database on vectors used in gene therapy trials). Viruses have
evolved a way of encapsulating and delivering their genes to human cells in a pathogenic manner.
Scientists have tried to harness this ability by manipulating the viral genome to remove disease-causing
genes and insert therapeutic ones.
Target cells such as the patient's liver or lung cells are infected with the vector. The vector then unloads
its genetic material containing the therapeutic human gene into the target cell. The generation of a
functional protein product from the therapeutic gene restores the target cell to a normal state.
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 1
, GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson#21
What is a Stem Cell?
- A cell that has the ability to continuously divide and differentiate (develop) into various other kind(s) of
cells/tissues.
- Stem cells are different from other cells of the body in that they have the ability to differentiate into other
cell/tissue types. This ability allows them to replace cells that have died. With this ability, they have been used
to replace defective cells/tissues in patients who have certain diseases or defects.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
- Stem-cell therapy is the use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition.
- Bone marrow transplant is the most widely used stem-cell therapy, but some therapies derived from umbilical
cord blood are also in use.
Controversies in Stem Cell Therapy
- Stem-cell therapy has become controversial following developments such as the ability of scientists to isolate
and culture embryonic stem cells, create stem cells using somatic cell nuclear transfer and their use of
techniques to create induced pluripotent stem cells. This controversy is often related to abortion politics and to
human cloning. Additionally, efforts to market treatments based on transplant of stored umbilical cord blood
have been controversial.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem-cell_therapy
Concept Graphic Organizer
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses
genes to treat or prevent disease. In the future, this technique
may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into
a patient’s cells instead of using drugs or surgery.
Researchers are testing several approaches to gene therapy,
including: a.) Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease
Ethical Issues with a healthy copy of the gene. b.) Inactivating, or Social Issues
“knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning
improperly. c.) Introducing a new gene into the body to help
fight a disease.
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/therapy/genetherapy
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 2
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson#21
Lesson title: The Ethical and Social Issues of Gene Therapy and Stem Materials:
Cell Research Student Activity Sheets, pen, marker.
TV
Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Define and describe Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Research References:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/therapy/
2. Identify and examine the ethical and social issues of Gene Therapy genetherapy
and Stem Cell Research https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-
procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-
3. depth/stem-cells/art-20048117
A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (2 mins)
Hello STS students! Finally, we’ll tackle our last topic for this semester about the Ethical and Social Issues
concerning Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Research. We discussed last meeting about GMO, now we will continue
discussing other applications of genetic engineering and some controversies related to these methods.
B.MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 1: Content Notes (13 mins)
Like all great new technologies, gene therapy does not come free from controversies. This technology has the power to
completely alter and change the course of humanity, in a potentially positive or maybe negative way.
Gene Therapy
Several approaches to gene therapy are being tested, including:
- Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene
- Inactivating, or “knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning improperly
- Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease
In general, a gene cannot be directly inserted into a person’s cell. It must be delivered to the cell using a
carrier, or vector. Vector systems can be divided into:
Viral Vectors
Non-viral Vectors
Currently, the most common type of vectors are viruses that have been genetically altered to carry
normal human DNA (see also Wiley database on vectors used in gene therapy trials). Viruses have
evolved a way of encapsulating and delivering their genes to human cells in a pathogenic manner.
Scientists have tried to harness this ability by manipulating the viral genome to remove disease-causing
genes and insert therapeutic ones.
Target cells such as the patient's liver or lung cells are infected with the vector. The vector then unloads
its genetic material containing the therapeutic human gene into the target cell. The generation of a
functional protein product from the therapeutic gene restores the target cell to a normal state.
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 1
, GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson#21
What is a Stem Cell?
- A cell that has the ability to continuously divide and differentiate (develop) into various other kind(s) of
cells/tissues.
- Stem cells are different from other cells of the body in that they have the ability to differentiate into other
cell/tissue types. This ability allows them to replace cells that have died. With this ability, they have been used
to replace defective cells/tissues in patients who have certain diseases or defects.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
- Stem-cell therapy is the use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition.
- Bone marrow transplant is the most widely used stem-cell therapy, but some therapies derived from umbilical
cord blood are also in use.
Controversies in Stem Cell Therapy
- Stem-cell therapy has become controversial following developments such as the ability of scientists to isolate
and culture embryonic stem cells, create stem cells using somatic cell nuclear transfer and their use of
techniques to create induced pluripotent stem cells. This controversy is often related to abortion politics and to
human cloning. Additionally, efforts to market treatments based on transplant of stored umbilical cord blood
have been controversial.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem-cell_therapy
Concept Graphic Organizer
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses
genes to treat or prevent disease. In the future, this technique
may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into
a patient’s cells instead of using drugs or surgery.
Researchers are testing several approaches to gene therapy,
including: a.) Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease
Ethical Issues with a healthy copy of the gene. b.) Inactivating, or Social Issues
“knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning
improperly. c.) Introducing a new gene into the body to help
fight a disease.
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/therapy/genetherapy
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 2
