Genetics of Gender and Race
Problems/Case
Studies
"Which Little Piggy Went to Market? Bioinformatics and
Meat Science" Debra A. Meuler, Cardinal Stritch
University. State University of New York at Buffalo's National
Center for Case Study Teaching.
In this case, a scientist is contacted
by a friend from a meat processing plant who is looking for a test
that would enable him to determine the sex of the animals that
contributed to a particular batch of meat. He needs to know
because meat from uncastrated males (boars) imparts an unpleasant
odor (boar taint) to pork products, something he wants to avoid.
Developed for use in an introductory biology class, the case
introduces students to basic genetics concepts, DNA structure, the
technique of PCR, genetic databases, and the use of positive and
negative controls during scientific investigations. The case could
also be used in high school classes, especially as a tool for
learning about (or reviewing) the scientific process as it
requires students to develop hypotheses, design experiments, and
analyze and interpret data.
This case is appropriate for
high school and college undergraduate biotechnology,
genetics/heredity, molecular biology, and food science courses.
"Gender: In
the Genes or in the Jeans? A Case Study on Sexual
Differentiation" William J. Hoese, California State University
Fullerton, Judith Gibber, Columbia University, and Bonnie Wood,
University of Maine Presque Isle. State University of New York at
Buffalo's National Center for Case Study Teaching.
This case explores the biology of
human sexual differentiation and its social and ethical
ramifications. In working through the case, students learn how
scientists use laboratory experiments on animals and "experiments
of nature," or conditions that occur naturally in humans, to help
them understand human biology.
"The
Case of Desiree's Baby: The Genetics and Evolution of Human Skin
Color" Patricia Schneider, Queensborough Community College. State
University of New York at Buffalo's National Center for Case Study
Teaching.
This case is based on Kate Chopin's
short story "Desiree's Baby," a tragic tale of race and gender in
antebellum Louisiana first published in 1893. Students read the
story and then answer a series of questions about the genetics and
evolution of skin color.
The case was developed for a
general biology course organized around the general theme of
evolution. It could also be used in anthropology and biology
courses for non-majors.
"The
"Lady"
of Charleston: A Case of Wrongful Gender Assignment?" Kim R. Finer, Kent
State University/Stark Campus. State University of New York at
Buffalo's National Center for Case Study Teaching.
This case uses the real story of Dawn
Langley Simmons, who may have been misidentified as male at birth,
to illustrate the developmental basis of human sexual dimorphism
and how gender misidentification may occur. Students also consider
the emotional, legal, and societal implications of gender
misassignment and reassignment.
The case could be used in a
number of courses including physiology, endocrinology,
developmental biology, general biology, and psychology.
"Giving
Birth to Someone Else’s Children? A Case of Disputed Maternity".
Jessica Hutchison, Cameron University. The National Center for
Case Study Teaching in Science.
Most students have heard about situations in which the paternity
of a child is questioned, but maternity? This
case was designed for introductory biology students and asks
them to develop hypotheses to explain how a mother cannot be
genetically related to two of her three sons. Through an
interrupted, progressive disclosure format, students reject
hypotheses and form new ones as data is revealed. This case
involves concepts in genetics, inheritance and the formation of
pedigrees. At the conclusion, students are asked to think about
the moral, ethical and legal implications of the mother’s rare
condition.
This case is appropriate for
high school general biology classes, and college undergraduate
genetics/heredity courses.
"Should
Victoria Skate?". A Problem in Sex
Determination Adapted from Gender: In the Genes or
in the Jeans? A Case Study on Sexual Differentiation
by William J. Hoese, California State University
Fullerton, Judith Gibber, Columbia University, Bonnie
Wood, University of Maine Presque Isle.
Published at State University of New York at Buffalo's
Case Studies in Teaching Science. (Adaptations by J.
Peters, College of Charleston, Dept. of Biology).
- Stage
1: Routine blood screening reveals a
female ice-skater is a genetic male. Questions lead students to
investigate how it would be possible for Victoria to be genetically
male but show no phenotypic characteristics. Ethics also
play a role as to whether Victoria should be
disqualified by the Olympic committee because she is genetically
male.
- Stage
2:
Students
further
investigate the mechanism that causes Victoria to appear female
while the karyotype reveals a genetically male person.
- Stage 3: The Y chromosome directs differentiation of
gonads in the male direction. Is this chromosome responsible
for the other levels of sexual differentiation?
- Stage 4: The doctor
examining Victoria's case (Dr. Hunter) came across a research
study exploring gender development in rats.
- Stage 5:At her
appointment with Dr. Hunter looked at Victoria's body, took a
blood sample, performed a pelvic exam, and asked Victoria to
come back the following week to discuss the results.
- End
of
Case Assignment and Grading
Rubric
- Case Study Research Resources:
Articles
"Does Race Exist".
Bamshad, Michael J. and Olsen, Steve E. Current
Issues
in Biology. Scientific American, Inc. December 2003. 22-31.
Physical
characteristics
are often used to group people into races. This article
describes molecular techniques that are used to classify
humans. It also explains that physical characteristics
resulting from natural selection do not necessarily reflect
genetic differences. These genetic differences can be used
to group humans and this grouping can be important in the
way that we diagnose and treat many diseases. The article is
followed by a short comprehension quiz and some critical
thinking questions.
CNN
Videos
Topic: "Engineering
perfect people": Genetics 1st Ed. CNN Ed 2003 (0:00).