1. Explore - Genetic Diseases: Challenges and Solutions
In this section, students build foundational knowledge about genetic diseases, their causes, and the challenges involved in diagnosing and treating them. This section introduces essential concepts from genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology, preparing learners for later activities such as AR visualization, modeling, and ethical discussions about emerging medical solutions.
1.3 Common Genetic Diseases
Genetic diseases can be grouped based on how they arise:
- Monogenic (Mendelian) diseases are caused by mutations in a single gene. Examples include cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and hemophilia A.
- Multifactorial genetic diseases result from interactions between multiple genes and environmental factors, such as certain metabolic or neurological disorders.
- Chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome, are caused by extra or missing chromosomes and affect overall development.
Studying these conditions helps scientists understand how specific genetic changes lead to observable biological effects.