Chicago Center for Jewish Genetics Disorders - Health Professionals

Case Studies

This film, originally aired by PBS on April 21, 2001, is a two-hour special look at the Human Genome Project and its far-reaching implications. It is part of PBS’ NOVA science television series. It is now available online, in both QuickTime and RealVideo, and closed captioned for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. For your convenience, the two-hour program has been divided into 16 chapters.

The program chronicles the race to crack the human genome, and explores many of the ethical, social, and emotional issues raised by modern genetic research. Of particular interest to Ashkenazi Jews, as well as health professionals who work with the Ashkenazi Jewish population, are Chapters 3 and 14.

Chapter 3, "One Wrong Letter", provides a look at the impact of Tay-Sachs disease on two brothers and their families. Included in this chapter is an explanation of the disorder and its pattern of inheritance.

Chapter 14, "A Family Disease", examines breast and ovarian cancer, and the BRCA 1 and BRCA2 mutations, which are more prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. It also raises the subjects of family history and screening young women.

PBS also provides a companion website to this NOVA program.

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Page last updated: 09.20.04