Asked by paisley
A couple considering having children learns that both are carriers for a recessive genetic condition. How can modern DNA technology and genetic counseling help them make informed decisions?
Question 16 options:
Genetic counseling can guarantee that their children will not inherit the condition
DNA technology can eliminate the recessive alleles from both parents before conception
Genetic testing can confirm carrier status and predict risks; counseling helps interpret results
DNA technology can modify embryos to prevent expression of recessive traits
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
Best answer: "Genetic testing can confirm carrier status and predict risks; counseling helps interpret results."
Why: Genetic counseling and modern testing can confirm that each partner is a carrier, explain the inheritance pattern (for autosomal recessive: a 25% chance an affected child, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected per pregnancy), and review reproductive options (natural conception with prenatal testing such as CVS or amniocentesis, in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT‑M) to select embryos without the condition, use of donor gametes, or adoption).
Why the other choices are incorrect:
- Counseling cannot guarantee that children will not inherit the condition; it informs about risks and options but cannot make outcomes certain.
- You cannot currently “eliminate” recessive alleles from the parents before conception in routine clinical practice.
- Editing embryos or the germline to prevent recessive traits is experimental, highly regulated, and not an established clinical option. PGT‑M (embryo selection), not routine embryo gene editing, is the standard approach to avoid passing on a known recessive disease.
Why: Genetic counseling and modern testing can confirm that each partner is a carrier, explain the inheritance pattern (for autosomal recessive: a 25% chance an affected child, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected per pregnancy), and review reproductive options (natural conception with prenatal testing such as CVS or amniocentesis, in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT‑M) to select embryos without the condition, use of donor gametes, or adoption).
Why the other choices are incorrect:
- Counseling cannot guarantee that children will not inherit the condition; it informs about risks and options but cannot make outcomes certain.
- You cannot currently “eliminate” recessive alleles from the parents before conception in routine clinical practice.
- Editing embryos or the germline to prevent recessive traits is experimental, highly regulated, and not an established clinical option. PGT‑M (embryo selection), not routine embryo gene editing, is the standard approach to avoid passing on a known recessive disease.
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