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Other Lessons
Pharmacogenetics Lesson Materials
Treating Disease Using an Understanding of Genetics
Leukemia and Thiopurine Methyltransferase (TPMT) Case Study
The discipline of pharmacogenetics examines how genetic variations in an individual correlate with their responses to a specific medication. The ultimate goal of pharmacogenetics is to develop medical treatments tailored to the individual.
This lesson uses a ‘case study’ approach to explore the applications of genetics to medicine. It investigates one of the first examples of a pharmacogenetic test to enter mainstream clinical practice.
Through a brief fictional scenario, students are introduced to the disease involved (acute lymphocytic leukemia) as well as the wide range of individual response to the drug used to treat it. Then, students interpret data similar to those initially published in scientific journals in order to construct an understanding of how genetic variation can be used to ‘tailor’ medical care. Lastly, students are asked to apply their understanding of the lesson by making the appropriate medical recommendation based on a particular individual’s genotype.
The lesson is designed for upper-level high school students, but has been modified for use in regular biology classes and middle schools. It is also suitable for the introductory college level.
For the Greater Good Curriculum
Secondary Level
Our 'For the Greater Good Curriculum Guide' is
now available for download in pdf format. This Guide is designed
to explore the use of animals in biomedical research using the For
the Greater Good Article Series (Seattle P-I, 2000) as a resource.
Be sure to check out our special NWABR Curriculum Units and Materials
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