Question

Instructions The major assignment for this course will be a student paper researching the molecular biology of cancer and exploring ethical considerations related to molecular testing. Cancer is often caused by the malfunction of the fundamental biological processes that are the subject of this course. Your paper should include the following: • Introduction • Discussion of the following molecular causes of cancer: o Somatic mutations o Epigenetic mutations • Explanation of the principal processes altered in cancer (i.e. cell division & apoptosis) • Summarization of molecular techniques used to diagnose cancer including a description of 2 specific examples of target genes/mutations and the methodologies that can be used to detect the mutations/quantify the gene products • Discussion of ethical considerations in screening of patients for mutations associated with development of cancer – please note that there several angles to consider in this section of the paper and there are no right or wrong answers here. If you need help getting started with the ethics component of this paper, some questions to consider include: o Should all people be screened? Why or why not? o Should health insurance cover screening for cancer mutations in all people, in select populations, or not at all? Why or why not? o Should someone with a mutation linked with cancer development have to pay more for insurance premiums? Why or why not? • Conclusion/summary paragraph Final Notes The paper should be completely written in your own words. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate what you know and how well you are able to articulate your ideas, not recycle someone else’s thoughts! The paper should be 6-8 pages in length, include at least 3 properly cited outside references

Answer 1