Touchpoint 1
321,000 US children lost a parent to drug overdose in 10 years: Study
What is it?
A new study reports that almost 650,000 people died from an overdose between 2011 and 2021. These deaths mean that 321,000 children lost a parent. More children are losing their fathers.
Potential message to students:
Do we need more research on how an overdose death has a cascading impact on families and society? Do you think this impact creates temporary challenges or that the impact is felt for a long time?
Touchpoint 2
Gene linked to learning difficulties has direct impact on learning and memory
What is it?
Gene KDM5B is critical for memory. If the gene is dysfunctional, it can lead to learning disabilities and problems with memory. But they are not sure if this gene alone can cause the problems.
Potential message for students:
CRISPR allows scientists to edit genes, so should they go in and fix this KDM5B if it’s broken? If KDM5B degrades over time and causes memory problems in old age, do you think we should fix it in the elderly too?
Touchpoint 3
Gene Editing Improves Vision in Some People With Inherited Blindness
What is it?
A small trial was conducted to edit genes in blind people and see if it could help them see again. They delivered the treatment directly into the eye and it did not restore vision, but it did help some of the test subjects.
Potential message to students:
Do you think we will cure blindness in the next 10 or 20 years? Do you think people in the 22nd century will be perplexed that we had blind people in 2024? Do you think doctors will just correct blindness in the womb before a baby is born?