Sociology and Genetics Final

PART ONE
Answer four of the following questions in half a single-spaced page or a little less
(10 points each):
1.1 What were the key criteria for newborn screening in Wilson and Jungner’s foundational 1968
report for the World Health Organization? Why were they so important?
1.2 How did the Human Genome Project challenge existing norms and practices in genetics
research? Think about both the concrete steps they took and their enduring legacies.
1.3. Why was Henrietta Lacks’ cervical cancer specimen exceptional? In what ways was
Henrietta Lacks’ story unexceptional?
1.4 What was the rationale for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008?
What amendments would you make to it today?
1.5 How does the theory of “inclusive fitness” help resolve the paradox altruism seemed to
present for evolutionary theory?
1.6 Mitochondrial, Y chromosome, and autosomal/admixture DNA ancestry tests all get at
different things. Briefly, what are they and what are their major limitations?
1.7 Why is the rollout of non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPT) a potentially transformative
development in prenatal genetic testing?
1.8 Why does Troy Duster find DNA biobanks and databases for forensic science and/or genetic
disorders so troubling?

PART TWO
Please answer two of the following essay questions in 1000 words or less (30 points each):
(Avoid significant overlap between your essays.)
2.1 How does the legacy of early twentieth century eugenics continue to shape human and
medical genetics today? In your view, are we heeding the right lessons? Explain your answers.
2.2 How do researchers and direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies try to use DNA
information to help us understand racial and ethnic groups? What are the pitfalls of using
genetics to explain ethnic and racial differences?
2.3 Should newborn screening in the US be expanded, contracted, eliminated, adapted, or left as
is? Explain your answer.
2.4 According to Abby Lipmann, it is “disingenuous” to avoid the topic of eugenics when we
discuss prenatal genetic testing. Do you agree with this argument? Explain your answer.
2.5 What do you consider to be the two or three most important ways that genetics shapes
people’s identities today? How does it shape your identity, if at all? Please explain your answers.
2.6 Which 21st Century developments in genetics and genomics are most exciting to you? Which
are the most troubling? Please explain your answers.
2.7 Why does genetic testing generate so much controversy? How can we best maximize benefit
while minimizing harm?
2.8 Why is epigenetics attracting so much scientific and popular interest these days? What are its
most important implications for the way we think about genetics and society?

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