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• Position: Addiction and genetics

FOR THE NEXT 4 HOURS WE'LL HAVE EXPERT ANALYSIS OF TUE TRUMP/PUTIN HANDSHAKE ...

THAT'S ONE MORE CREATURE WE CAN REMOVE FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST

IT'S BECOME EXTINCT

I LIKED IT BETTER WHEN HOLIDAYS CAME ON AT A TIME

HEADS UP

REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY

How Do Genes Affect Addiction?

One of the keys to preventing negative consequences of drug and alcohol use is determining what puts people at risk for the disease of addiction. In the article "How Do Genes Affect Addiction?," students will learn about the role of genetics in a person's risk for addiction, as well as learn that genetics isn't the only factor that influences the risk. Many other biological and environmental factors play a role, and students will get tips about choices they can make to reduce their risk. By sharing the article and skills sheet (see reverse side) with your students, and teaching the lesson below, you can help them understand the risks and how to stay safe.

Subject

* Science Literacy

* English Language Arts

* Health/Life Skills

Common Core State Standards

RST.6-8.1 / RST.9-10.1

* Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts

W.6-8.1 / W.9-10.1

* Write arguments to support claims, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-LS3.A / HS-LS3.A

* Inheritance of Traits MS-LS3.B / HS-LS3.B

* Variation of Traits

National Science Education Standards

* Reproduction and Heredity

* Personal Health

National Council for the Social Studies

* 4. Individual Development and Identity

* 8. Science, Technology, and Society

Tiered Vocabulary Tools:

* scholastic.com/headsup /teachers/how_do_genes _affect_addiction

Additional

Teaching Resources:

* headsup.scholastic.com /teachers

* teens.drugabuse.gov

Critical-Thinking Questions

1) How might doctors use genetics to prevent or treat addiction in the future? (Answers may include that genetics might determine if a person's genes put them at a higher risk for addiction. People who may have an increased risk because of genetics could be provided with counseling or other interventions. Doctors may one day be able to develop medications that can reverse the effects of high-risk genes.)

2) Do you think scientists will find a single "addiction gene" that determines if someone will become addicted to drugs? Why or why not? (Answers may include that it is unlikely that a single addiction gene exists. There are many factors that determine whether a...