Guidelines for Genetic Disease Pamphlet

Summative Project

Many organizations such as the American Cancer Society publish pamphlets to help educate people about various diseases. You will design a pamphlet to provide people with information related to a specific genetic disease or condition. Your pamphlet should be interesting as well as informative. Later in class, your pamphlets will be shared with the rest of the class. Be creative, use current facts, charts, and pictures.

Include the following information in your pamphlet:

1. Symptoms of the disease.

1. How does one know that he/she has the disorder?
2. What age do symptoms appear?
3. What is the progression of the disease? (Does it get worse later in life?)

2. Genetic cause of the disease (genetic testing).

1. How is the disorder inherited from one generation to another? (Is it passed on a sex chromosome, a specific chromosome, or is it a dominant or recessive disorder?)
2. What tests are available that can help determine if one has the disorder? (Would a genetic counselor run a Karyotype, is there a blood test, etc?)
3. If a parent has the disorder is a carrier of the gene for the disorder, how might the child be affected? (What is the probability that their child would have the disorder?)
4. Include an accurately labeled Karyotype for the genetic disorder.

3. Population/Risk groups for the disease.

1. In some, but not all, cases one particular ethnic group, age group, gender, etc. is more affected by the disease than other groups. Who is at risk and why is the genetic disorder more prevalent for that group? If the genetic disorder is not specific to any group, a statement to that effect should be included.

4. Possible prenatal tests or genetic screening techniques.

1. Do expectant mothers usually get a prenatal test to see if their baby is at risk?
2. If they do, what genetic tests are available to expectant mothers to tell them if their developing baby is affected by the genetic disease.

5. Possibly treatment/cures for the disease.

1. After diagnosis of the disorder, what methods of treatment are available, if any?
2. Is there any “cure” for the disorder?
3. What is the prognosis (prospect for recovery) for a person diagnosed with the disorder?

6. Ethical and Social Implications

1. Do people get treated differently if they have this disorder?
2. Can they live a normal life? (Can they work, support themselves, have friends, etc?)

7. Other information concerning the disorder.

1. Include answers for other questions a person suffering from this disorder might ask.

1. Examples:

1. Will biotechnology or genetic engineering aid a person with the disorder?
2. Are there support groups available for persons suffering with the disorder?
3. Are there support groups available for persons suffering with the disorder?

8. Bibliography.        

1. Include references on the back of the pamphlet for those who want further information.
2. A minimum of 3 credible references must be used.

Steps to Begin and Format Your Pamphlet:

1. Write or type the information you find from the internet about your disease into a word document or note sheet that was provided. If you are typing your information make sure you save save often!

2. Once you have answered all questions from above get approval from your teacher to begin your pamphlet.

3. To begin work on your pamphlet: Use Microsoft Office Publisher. Directions to begin a brochure using publisher are below:

1. Go to all programs on the start menu
2. In the search menu type in the word: Publisher
3. Click on Microsoft Office Publisher 2010
4. When the publisher program opens select brochures under the most popular section.
5. Then chose a brochure template of your liking. Remember these will print in black and white so one with a lot of color might not be the best option.
6. Once you start typing into the brochure make sure you save often!