Traits and Heredity

Reading: Athletics and Sickle Cell Trait

Duration: Approximately 35 minutes

This brief article will ideally lead to a discussion about the NCAA policy about testing for sickle cell trait.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Students will learn about the NCAA policy that requires the reporting of sickle cell trait status for college athletes.

Teacher Tip

• Read the article in advance to think of questions that would be particularly interesting for your students to discuss.
• This reading works well as homework or as a follow-up to the activity L3.5 Conversation: Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing.

Teacher Tune-ups

• How do genes that cause disease stay in populations generation after generation?
• What is a Punnett Square and how does it relate to dominant and recessive traits?

Ideally, the article will lead to a discussion about the NCAA policy about testing for sickle cell trait. Make sure that students understand the difference between sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait.

Ask:

What are some reasons to support this policy?

What are some reasons to oppose this policy?

What is your position?