Parthenogenesis and the future of homosexual families

The term parthenogenesis refers to the growth an development of an embryo or seed without fertilization by a male. This occurs naturally in some plants, invertebrates (water fleas, aphids) and some vertebrates (lizards, salamanders, some fish and even turkeys). Scientists have created mice babies from two female mice. No male mice or sperm were involved. The offspring were all female. How did this happen and will humans soon have the option to create babies without men? And what could this mean for the future of lesbians wanting to have children? Although lesbians are having children through artificial insemination, it is not yet possible for two women to produce offspring that comes from both of their genetic material. Is it possible this might become a reality in the future? The procedure used by the Japanese scientists is currently unreliable because it took 460 tries to conceive one mouse. It has not been proven safe, or even possible for humans to reproduce through parthenogenesis. There is a possibility that, with further work and study, it could become an option available to women who seek the assistance of fertility clinics. The process was more complicated than just combining genetic material from two mice. Basically the scientists created a genetically modified mouse. Researchers are quick to say they do not know if this method can be applied to humans.

1. What kind of reproduction is parthenogenesis?
2. Explain the difference between parthenogenesis and metamorphosis.
3.How does the process of parthenogenesis involve human eggs?

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome- A common chromosome disorder due to an extra chromosome number 21 (trisomy 21). When this happens people with this syndrome experience delays in mentality and a change in facial characteristics.

Some of the most common misunderstood facts:
Myth - Most children with Down Syndrome are born to older parents.
Fact - Most children with Down Syndrome are born to women younger than 35 years old simply because younger women have more children.
Myth - People with Down Syndrome are severely retarded.
Fact - Most people with Down Syndrome have IQ's that fall in the mild to moderate range
of intellectual disability.
Myth - People with Down Syndrome are always happy.
Fact - People with Down Syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population. They experience the full range of emotion. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.


The following questions may not be provided in the text above, the answers can be found in the following website: http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=35&Itemid=57

Questions:
1.) What are the two types of Down Syndrome?
2.)During down syndrome,there are two ways to diagnose it. Name and explain the two ways of the diagnose.
3.)True or False- Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.

Prenatal Testing

Prenatal testing is the testing of a fetus to determine whether or not it may have some sort of disease of deformity. It is often done in cases where one or both of the parents have, or are carriers of a genetic disease. Prenatal testing is usually done for 3 different reasons. One is to determine whether the baby will need surgery or medical treatment before or after birth, and to have it done in a timely fashion. Another is for the parents to decide whether or not they are going to abort the fetus with a diagnosed condition. The third reason is so the parents may prepare emotionally, financially, socially, and medically for the birth of a child with a severe disability or disease, or for the possibility of a stillbirth.

1. What is one method of non-invasive prenatal testing?
2. What is one method of invasive prenatal testing?
3. What are some specific things commonly looked for in prenatal testing?

Cancer

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when your body needs them, and die when the body doesn’t need them. Cancer occurs when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. Depending on the type and location of the tumor, the symptoms will vary. Treatment also varies based on the type of cancer and the stage that it’s in. The stage of cancer refers to how much it has grown and whether the tumor has spread from its original location.

Questions:

1) Are certain types of cancer more common in different areas of the world than others?
2) What are the three most common cancers in men in the United States?
3) What are the three most common cancers in women in the United States?
4) What is the most common cancer related death?

down syndrome

1. How do you get down syndrome?
2. Is there a cure for down syndrome?
3. About how many people are living with down syndrome today?