# data[].attributes.body
In Unit 1 we studied a family who contracted bacterial meningitis. We ran tests, made prognosis and found treatments for her. In unit 2 we continued to study the smith family and how there off springs could possibly inherit some diseases. We also studied many different diseases and closely examined DNA and the new technology surrounding it.

# data[].attributes.body
Genetic testing is one of the new technologies used for DNA. It allows us to look at a person's DNA and determine if they carry a disease, have it or possibly pass it on to future offspring's, from just examining the DNA sequence. These are usually done by genetic counselors. Genetic counselors our professionals who consult families and individuals about genetic disorders and help them understand more about it. They help educate many families about any possible genetic diseases they may carry and pass on to their offspring's. Genetic counselors also aid many families and provide so much information that will help them make important decisions with the choices they have.

# data[].attributes.body
Genetic disorders happen due to a flaw in the individuals genome. This might be inherited or acquired. The 4 types of genetic disorders that were discussed were single-gene, multifactorial, chromosomal, and mitochondrial. A single gene disorder means only one gene will have a change or mutation. There are different ways these gene disorders can be inherited such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, sex-linked dominant and sex-linked recessive. Dominant traits are more common and mean the parent passed it on to their child. A recessive trait is less common and means both parents must carry this straight in order for their child to inherit it. Also, a child can receive both a dominant allele and recessive allele, this just means they are a carrier and can pass it on to any of their future offspring's. This would be autosomal. Sex-linked traits are pass through sex chromosomes, which is the X and the Y.  Two X's will mean it's a girl and 1 X and 1 Y means it's a boy. For the trait to be sex-linked for the girl both X's have to be affected but if only 1 is then they will be fine. If a boy were to get an affected X this means they will have a sex-linked trait because they don't have another X to function properly. Multifactorial disorders are caused from changes or mutations in multiple genes and can also be caused from their environment. Mitochondrial disorders are caused from mutations in the DNA of the mitochondria. Finally chromosomal disorders occur due to not enough or to many chromosomes being present in a individual.

# data[].attributes.body
PCRs are laboratory procedures that allows us to produce multiple copies of specific DNA sequences. This is a three-step process that is usually done in a thermal cycler.  Taq polymerase, DNA primers, and DNA nucleotides are added to the DNA so that it can be able to make many copies. The first step is denaturation. This is where the thermal cyclers temperature increases to 95 degrees so that it can break down the DNA, which allow the DNA to grow. The next step is annealing. In this step the thermal cycler drops its temperature to 55 degrees so that the DNA sequence can cool and bind again. The final step is call extension. Here the temperature regulates, and an enzyme called tag polymerase will bind to the DNA sequence allowing it to be double stranded by adding complementary nucleotides. This process is repeated over and over again so that they can have multiple copies.

# data[].attributes.body
To test for diseases, we use a process called Gel electrophoresis. Gel electrophoresis starts by isolating the DNA from our collected sample. The DNA and our sample are usually mixed together so in order to separate them we centrifuge it. Centrifugation is a super-fast spinney tool that is used to separate cell waste from what is actually needed. This will leave a little pellet of DNA and cell components at the bottom of the tube. Chelex is then added to separate any leftover cell waste from the DNA. Then the pellet is transferred to a different tube. This is the placed in a thermal cycler for PCR to happen and make many copies of the needed sequence. For us to be able to distinguish the different genes we use a restriction enzyme will cut specific parts of the DNA sequence and nucleotide strands. Then for us to finally see our results we have to prepare an agarose gel and place it into a buffer solution. The gel contains wells where the DNA is placed by a micropipette. The gel is then charged with an electoral current that separates the fragments. After this we compare the bands to the markers to see if the patient does have a disease or not.

# data[].attributes.body
There are many types of genetic screens that help figure out what genetic disorder they may carry. Some include carrier screening, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, fetal screening/prenatal diagnosis, and newborn screening. Carrier screening are tests performed on couples that want to know what risks they have of passing on a genetic disorder to their future offspring. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is tests ran on people who are known already to have autosomal dominant or sex-linked conditions and don't want to pass it onto any of their future children. Fetal screening/prenatal diagnosis are tests that are ran on fetuses in the mom's womb, sadly this procedure may cause a miscarriage. Newborn screening is a test ran on newborn babies right after they are born and is used by parents who don't want the risk of a miscarriage to occur.

# data[].attributes.body
Gene therapy is a treatment used for people with genetic diseases. This treatment replaces bad genes with functional copies. Gene therapy uses vectors, which are usually viruses, to deliver a healthy gene to target cells. There are many problems with this because of integration or DNA be placing in the wrong gene which will cause more problems than there was before. This treatment could possibly eradicate many of these genetic diseases. Unfortunately, this technology could be used to create perfect children and give other people unfair advantages in life.