25 Summary
Dinesh Ramoo
Key Takeaways
- Nature refers to the contribution of genetics to one’s development and the basic building block of the nature perspective is the gene.
- Genotype refers to the sum total of all the genes a person inherits.
- Phenotype refers to the features that are actually expressed.
- Most of the known genetic disorders are dominant-gene-linked; however, the vast majority of dominant-gene-linked disorders are not serious or debilitating.
- A chromosomal abnormality occurs when a child inherits too many or two few chromosomes.
- When the abnormality is on twenty-third pair, the result is a sex-linked chromosomal abnormality.
- Behavioural genetics is the scientific study of the interplay between the genetic and environmental contributions to behaviour.
- Prenatal development is divided into three periods: the germinal period, the embryonic period, and the fetal period.
- Most women over age thirty-five who become pregnant are in good health and have healthy pregnancies. However, women over age thirty-give are more likely to have an increased risk of fertility problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, miscarriages, placenta previa, C-section, premature birth, stillbirth, and a baby with a genetic disorder or other birth defects.
- The Apgar assessment is conducted to assess the newborn’s overall condition.
Exercises in Critical Thinking
- Discuss the way in which your behaviour might be influenced by your genetic heritage and your environment. Which aspects of your behaviour are more likely to be genetic and which are more likely to be influenced by your environment?
- With the development of gene therapy and other advances in medicine, do you think genetic disorders might become a thing of the past? On the other hand, does making genetic modifications to the fetus lead to the phenomenon of tailor-made babies? What are the ethical implications of such a practice?
- The viability of the fetus outside the womb is possible at earlier stages of pregnancy than ever before. Do you think there is a possibility that a baby could be brought to term through fully artificial means without a womb in the future? What are the implications of this on the legal criteria for abortion?
