Reebops Nursery (gender-inclusive Genetics of independent assortment)

Gender-inclusive simulation of independent assortment for a genetics or evolution lesson. Adapted from slides created by Laura Funk (staff profile page) by modifying “mom” to egg-giver and “dad” to sperm-giver. Can also serve as model for discussion about mutations, epigenetics, evolution, chromosomes, alleles, nondisjunction. See also Teach.Genetics.Utah.edu's paper-based activities. See steps below and the questions for the assessment at the end. (Originally published here in 3/17/21.)

NGSS Works towards HS-LS3-1. Follow up with meiosis and HS-LS3-2.

Step 1: Flip a coin and highlight the capital or lowercase letter for that row.

Step 2: Combine the results from Step 1 to create a genotype (two letters).

Step 3: Use the third slide to decode the phenotype.

Step 4: Build the reebop based on the phenotype.

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Assessment: Answer the questions in the Google Form.

0. Attach completed Reebops Nursery from your Drive.

1. Name your Reebop

2. What do you think each letter represents in the model?

3. What do you think combining the letters represents in the model?

4. All models are wrong. Some models are useful. What are some things missing from this model? List as many as you can think of.

5. Gametes (egg & sperm cells) contain 1 pair of chromosomes (n = haploid), the other body cells contain 2 pairs of chromosomes (2n=diploid). Is your baby reebop haploid or diploid?

[Update] Sex and Gender Inclusivity in Pedigree Nomenclature

This focused revision addresses the need to denote sex assigned at birth and gender in pedigree nomenclature. It clarifies the use of symbols and language to ensure safe and inclusive genetic counseling for people who are gender-diverse or transgender.

Bennett, R. L., French, K. S., Resta, R. G., & Austin, J. (2022). Practice resource-focused revision: Standardized pedigree nomenclature update centered on sex and gender inclusivity: A practice resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 00, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1621

Dads Also Pass on Mitochondrial DNA, Contrary to Long-Standing Belief

This article from Smithsonian Magazine describes new evidence that some people receive their mitochondrial DNA from the sperm cell rather than the egg cell that made them. This contradicts a longstanding generalization that only egg cells contribute mitochondrial DNA.

This article uses the words mother/maternal and father/paternal to refer to two contributors of genetic material in humans. Consider speaking with your students about other terms that may be more inclusive of all people and their families, such as sperm-derived and egg-derived DNA.

InstaGene Mendelian Inheritance App

The most authentic way to teach Mendelian genetics is to focus on real-life traits in humans and non-human species. The InstaGene app is a user-friendly database of single-locus Mendelian traits in several species. The name of the gene, dominant allele, recessive allele, and source are given. Both allele phenotypes are explicitly named, with neither referred to as “normal”. Many of the alleles code for non-harmful variations, which averts the common association between mutation and disease. The app was created with Glide Apps and can be viewed, copied, and remixed all in a web browser - no app download required.

InstaGene can be used as a teacher reference or it can be given to students for reference while they complete practice problems. A set of sample problems, with model language, is provided below.

Inclusive Genetics Activities by Elizabeth Duthinh

Elizabeth Duthinh, a physician and high school teacher, developed these inclusive activity and practice problem sets covering the Monohybrid Cross, Dihybrid Cross, X-linked Traits, Non-Mendelian Inheritance, and the PTC taste lab.

Elizabeth writes:

These problem sets and PTC tasting lab are adapted to cover Mendelian genetics without presuming gender based on chromosomes and without assuming families and individuals are cisgender or heterosexual. We suggest pairing the X-linked characteristics problem set with the video What it's Like to be Intersex by InterACT and a short introduction to the SRY region of the Y chromosome.

Article: Transgender People and “Biological Sex” Myths

In this Medium article, biochemist and writer Julia Serano discusses the myth of a binary biological sex, and its implications for oppression and social justice.

Scientific American: "Beyond XX and XY"

A host of factors figure into whether someone’s biological sex appears female, male, or somewhere in between. This reference poster from Scientific American represents some elements in the spectra of gender (identity) and (biological) sex.

Though this poster uses the phrase "intersex conditions", we advise using "intersex traits" instead.

Creator Amanda Montañez tells the story behind the infographic in her article, "Visualizing Sex as a Spectrum".

Queer Friendly Science: How to Teach Genetics While Affirming Student Identity

In this blog post, Ariel Heyman shares a five-step strategy to teach genetics while protecting and affirming student identity.

Signaling Inclusivity in Genetics Topics - Article by Karen G. Hales

College professor Karen G. Hales wrote this article suggesting options for gender-inclusive adaptation of language within genetics courses at the college undergraduate level. Topics include biological sex, parenthood, genetic traits, and pedigree charts. This article is open access through Life Sciences Education Journal, Vol. 19, No. 2.

Hales KG. Signaling Inclusivity in Undergraduate Biology Courses through Deliberate Framing of Genetics Topics Relevant to Gender Identity, Disability, and Race. CBE Life Sci Educ. 2020 Jun;19(2):es2. doi: 10.1187/cbe.19-08-0156. PMID: 32357097.

TED Talk: "The way we think about biological sex is wrong" by Emily Quinn

Emily Quinn, an intersex activist, delivered this 14-minute talk at the TedWomen 2018 event. Emily tells her personal story and discusses the little-known truth that biological sex is a spectrum and not a binary. This is true whether we measure biological sex by chromosomes, hormones, gonads, or external genitalia. She dispels the myth of intersex people as extremely rare outliers, and humanizes diversity in biological sex.

It's rare to meet an intersex person that hasn't been operated on. Oftentimes, these surgeries are done to improve intersex kids' lives, but they usually end up doing the opposite, causing more harm and complications, both physical and emotional. I'm not saying that doctors are bad or evil. It's just that we live in a society that causes some doctors to "fix" those of us who don't fit their definition of normal. We're not problems that need to be fixed. We just live in a society that needs to be enlightened.

This video is uploaded to Youtube but its mature content tag makes it inaccessible through some school internet filters. Alternatively, TED.com page contains the video, transcript in 24 languages, and further reading list.

Gender-Inclusive Pedigree Charts

Pedigree charts are one of the most requested topics that we get from visitors to our website. We have built a guidance document below that will be continually updated. You can also view it on Google Docs.

Image https://www.theknowledgeroundtable.com/tutorials/decoding-pedigrees-made-easy/ What is a pedigree chart? A pedigree chart is a diagram that shows the occurrence of phenotypes through several generations of genetically related individuals. Because a pedigree chart is often confused with a family tree, and uses symbols to differentiate males and females, it is important for educators to give clear and inclusive messaging to their students about these charts.

Diverse Families Toolkit: There’s More Than One Way To Make a Family

This poster provides an important clarification when learning about biology - that our biological or genetic concept of family may be different from social or legal understandings of family. You can teach your students that all families are valid using this poster or other resources in the Gayby Baby Project’s Diverse families Toolkit.

Video: One of a Kind

This is the second episode of the PBS documentary series “9 Months That Made You.” The episode uses family interviews, documentary footage, and computer animations to detail the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variations in humans. Among those featured is güevodoces, a specific intersex trait observed in the Dominican Republic. We felt that the individuals were portrayed with empathy and autonomy, and using modern language. As a post-viewing exercise, students may discuss the various choices of language used to describe variation within the episode.

The güevodoces clip can be streamed for free on Vimeo. The entire episode can be streamed for free on Kanopy with a public library card or university login. It is also available with a paid subscription on Netflix and PBS as of the time writing this post.

Pigeonetics Game

Pigeonetics is a game developed by the University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center for web browser and mobile devices (iOS and Android). Players complete pigeon breeding challenges through trial and error. Students use evidence to learn the patterns of simple genetic inheritance, sex chromosome inheritance, and eventually incomplete dominance with dilution.

As curators of gender-inclusive resources, we like this game because it accurately portrays sex in animal species without conflating sex with gender or anthropomorphizing the animals. It also comes with a teacher guide.

interACT Letter of Concern for Chromosome/Barr Body Staining Lab

Some schools do a lab exercise where students stain their own cells and determine their sex chromosomes (X and Y). This is a letter from the Executive Director of interACT that can be used to advocate for not doing this exercise due to the potential harm it can cause for intersex individuals.

Diagram of Mammalian Sex Determination

This diagram shows basic gene expression and hormone signalling pathways leading to to development of the mammalian gonads. The “dpc” on the x-axis of the graph means days post-conception. This image goes one step further than teaching that “the Y chromosome causes development of testes.”

For an AP Biology class learning about signaling pathways, reading a larger selection from the source article may be useful.

Source: Kashimada, Kenichi, and Peter Koopman. "Sry: the master switch in mammalian sex determination." Development 137.23 (2010): 3921-3930.

Sex Determination – Why So Many Ways of Doing It?

This PLOS Biology article details the diverse mechanisms by which sex is determined in different species, how they evolved, and how they may look in the future. The article opens with a treatment of three common myths of sex determination.

Editor’s note: The term "hermaphrodite" is appropriate for referring to non-human animals with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. For humans, “intersex” is the appropriate term—learn more here!

Although the entire reading is not for k-12 audiences, the three myths, Figure 3, Figure 4, and Box 2 are suitable for high school.

Article: "Stop Using Phony Science to Justify Transphobia"

In this Scientific American article, Simón(e) D Sun explains how misunderstandings of science have been used to dehumanize trans people in society. Sun explains how genetic sex and the relationship between the body, brain, and hormones are both complex and validate the existence of transgender people.

A Brief History of Twin Studies

This article from Smithsonian Magazine summarizes how twin studies have been used untangle the influences of genes and the environment on particular traits. Twins have been used in the study of eugenics, I.Q., eating disorders, obesity, sexual orientation, and the effect of spaceflight on the body.

Video: Secrets of the X chromosome

This TED-Ed video by Robin Ball comes with a small set of questions to be used in a lesson. The gendered language and visuals used in the video are more nuanced than most.