GESTS01X: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, & SOCIETY
Worksheet Activity: Gene Therapy
Name:____________________________________________
Date:______________
Instruction:
1. Visit the following link to start the "Space Doctor" activity:
https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/genetherapy/doctor/
2. As the Space Doctor, you will be treating three ailing aliens using gene therapy. For each
alien, your goal is to evaluate their condition and decide if gene therapy could be an
effective treatment.
3. Use this worksheet to record your findings.
Part I.
1. Define gene therapy in your own words. (5 points)
2. What are the two main requirements for successful gene therapy? (5 points)
Part II.
Alien 1: Name and Condition (10 points)
1. Name of the Alien:
2. Brief Description of the Alien's Condition:
3. Could gene therapy be used to help this alien?
( ) Yes
( ) No
4. Why or why not?
Alien 2: Name and Condition (10 points)
1. Name of the Alien:
2. Brief Description of the Alien's Condition:
3. Could gene therapy be used to help this alien?
( ) Yes
( ) No
4. Why or why not?
Alien 3: Name and Condition (10 points)
1. Name of the Alien:
2. Brief Description of the Alien's Condition:
3. Could gene therapy be used to help this alien?
( ) Yes
( ) No
4. Why or why not?
Part III: Reflecting on Gene Therapy
1. In your opinion, what are some challenges that scientists face when using gene therapy?
(10 points)
2. What is one potential benefit of using gene therapy in medical treatment? (10 points)
Part IV: Optional Extension Activity (Additional points of 20)
Create a short comic or drawing that shows how gene therapy works to help one of the aliens. Be
creative!