| Criteria | Marks |
|---|
| • Outlines two relevant genetic technologies<br>• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of infectious and non-infectious diseases<br>• Relates the impact of specific genetic technologies to the management of both types of diseases | 7 |
| • Outlines/identifies two relevant genetic technologies<br>• Demonstrates a sound understanding of infectious and non-infectious diseases<br>• Relates the impact of genetic technologies to the management of diseases | 5–6 |
| • Outlines a relevant genetic technology<br>• Demonstrates a sound knowledge of infectious and/or non-infectious diseases<br>• Provides impact(s) of using genetic technologies | 3–4 |
| • Identifies a relevant technology<br>AND<br>• Demonstrates a basic knowledge of infectious or non-infectious diseases<br>OR<br>• Provides an impact of the technology | 2 |
| • Provides any relevant information | 1 |
Sample answer:
Non-infectious diseases such as diabetes and cystic fibrosis are not caused by pathogens. In type 1 diabetes the pancreas no longer produces insulin. Recombinant DNA technology has produced bacteria that have a human insulin gene inserted and then produce insulin. The insulin can then be used to treat diabetic patients and keep them alive. Replacing faulty genes in inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis would be able to cure such conditions. It is possible to deliver a replacement gene to the lung cells via recombinant viruses. However, when lung cells are replaced the new cells (formed from stem cells) do not have the healthy version of the gene. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens. Crops such as corn are affected by the European corn borer. Recombinant Bt corn is produced by taking a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. The gene codes for a protein that is toxic to the European corn borer, thus reducing disease in corn crops.