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Year 11
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Higher

Genetic testing for healthcare

I can explain how genetic testing can be used to test for alleles associated with disease, and how this information can be used.

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Year 11
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Higher

Genetic testing for healthcare

I can explain how genetic testing can be used to test for alleles associated with disease, and how this information can be used.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Some alleles affect health (e.g. increase the risk of non-communicable diseases or adverse reactions to treatments).
  2. Genetic testing and genome sequencing can identify the presence of these alleles in a person’s genome.
  3. Healthcare can be personalised and lifestyle changes can be implemented to decrease risk and improve health.
  4. Genetic test data could be misused, and its use must be regulated.

Keywords

  • Risk - the chance that an outcome (usually a negative one) will occur

  • Allele - different version of a gene, which can produce a different characteristic in the organism’s phenotype

  • Genetic testing - processes that look for the presence of particular alleles in the DNA of an organism’s genome

  • Genome sequencing - the process of reading the sequence of nucleotide bases (A, T, C and G) in the DNA of the genome

  • Personalised medicine - healthcare tailored to a person’s individual risk of ill health

Common misconception

Thinking that an allele that increases the risk of a disease makes it certain to happen.

The lesson explores the idea the alleles can be risk factors for disease, and that in many cases other factors also affect the risk.


To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Genetic testing for healthcare, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils should be encouraged to think for themselves about the benefits and issues associated with genetic testing. Remind them that there are not necessarily any right answers about whether benefits outweigh issues, but there is a need for regulation to prevent misuse.
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Adult supervision recommended

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
How are characteristics inherited?
By exposure to sunlight.
By learning from the environment.
Through diet and exercise.
Correct answer: Through the transmission of genes from parents to offspring.
Q2.
What is a non-communicable disease?
A disease caused by bacteria.
A disease that is always fatal.
Correct answer: A disease that is not infectious and cannot be spread from person to person.
A disease that spreads through air.
Q3.
What does 'risk' mean in health contexts?
The absence of any health concerns.
The certainty of getting a disease.
The effectiveness of a treatment.
Correct answer: The probability of developing a disease or condition.
Q4.
What is an example of a non-communicable disease?
Correct answer: Diabetes
Influenza
Malaria
Tuberculosis
Q5.
What is a carrier of a genetic characteristic?
Correct answer: An individual who has one copy of a recessive allele.
An individual with no alleles.
An individual with only one allele.
An individual with two dominant alleles.
Q6.
What does it mean if a disease is hereditary in terms of genetic characteristics?
It affects only one generation.
Correct answer: It can be passed from parents to offspring through genes.
It is caused by bacteria.
It spreads through contact.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is one step involved in the genetic testing process?
Analysing the gene sequence using a microscope.
Correct answer: Extracting DNA from a sample.
Injecting genes into a subject.
Growing cells in a petri dish.
Q2.
Who interprets the results of genetic tests?
Dieticians
Correct answer: Genetic counsellors
Meteorologists
Physical trainers
Q3.
Why is informed consent important in genetic testing?
To reduce the cost of testing.
Correct answer: To ensure individuals understand the implications of the test.
To make the test more accurate.
To speed up the testing process.
Q4.
What is a potential misuse of genetic test data?
Developing new treatments.
Correct answer: Discrimination by employers or insurers.
Enhancing physical fitness.
Improving patient care.
Q5.
What does genome sequencing determine?
The blood type of an individual.
Correct answer: The complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome.
The level of white blood cells.
The protein structure in cells.
Q6.
How can healthcare be personalised through genetic testing?
Correct answer: By tailoring treatments based on an individual's genetic profile.
By creating generalised treatment plans for all patients.
By using the same medication for every patient.
By avoiding the use of patient medical history.