CBLG605 - genomics, life sciences, and technology reading

Question 1: [Straightforward | MCQ] Genomics mainly refers to the study of an organism’s total complement of DNA, also called its: Options: A) genome B) hormone system C) immune system D) protein diet

Answer: A. Explanation: The reading defines genomics as the study of an organism’s genome, meaning its total DNA.

Question 2: [Straightforward | Fill in the blank] The study of the structure and function of genes is called ________. Options: A) genetics B) economics C) pharmacare D) federalism

Answer: A) genetics. Explanation: Genetics focuses on genes and heredity, while genomics focuses on the whole genome.

Question 3: [Straightforward | True/False] Genomics only applies to human beings. Options: True / False

Answer: False. Explanation: The reading explains that genomics applies across humans, animals, plants, micro-organisms, and viruses.

Question 4: [Application | MCQ] A new diagnostic test uses DNA information to identify disease risk before symptoms appear. Which policy domain does this best fit? Options: A) genomics and personalized medicine B) railway policy C) mineral rights D) trade tariffs only

Answer: A. Explanation: Genomic testing and disease-risk prediction are central examples of the genomics and personalized medicine domain.

Question 5: [Straightforward | Fill in the blank] The Human Genome Project is strongly associated with mapping the human ________. Options: A) genome B) tax system C) cabinet D) economy

Answer: A) genome. Explanation: The HGP was an international project to map and sequence human genetic information.

Question 6: [Straightforward | MCQ] The “wow to whoa” phenomenon means new life-science discoveries often create excitement followed quickly by: Options: A) social and ethical fears B) lower taxes C) no public reaction D) guaranteed approval

Answer: A. Explanation: The reading uses “wow to whoa” to describe excitement about innovation followed by concern about risks and consequences.

Question 7: [Application | True/False] Internet-savvy patients may know about genetic tests before they are approved or available in Canada. Options: True / False

Answer: True. Explanation: The reading explains that Canadians may access information and products, especially from the United States, before Canadian approval.

Question 8: [Straightforward | Matching] Match the term to its meaning. Options: A) Genomics B) Genetics C) Genome 1) Total DNA of an organism 2) Study of the whole genome 3) Study of gene structure and function

Answer: A-2, B-3, C-1. Explanation: These terms are related but not identical.

Question 9: [Straightforward | MCQ] The two main streams of government investment in genomics research are Genome Canada/granting council investments and: Options: A) intramural government investment for policy and regulation B) election polling C) private grocery sales D) military spending only

Answer: A. Explanation: The reading identifies basic research funding and internal government regulatory science as two major streams.

Question 10: [Straightforward | Fill in the blank] The Genomics R&D Initiative coordinates genomics research across seven federal ________. Options: A) departments B) provinces C) hospitals D) universities only

Answer: A) departments. Explanation: GRDI coordinates genomics-related research inside the federal government.

Question 11: [Application | MCQ] A genomics product is proposed for use beyond a lab or greenhouse. What usually happens next? Options: A) Formal regulatory assessment begins B) No government response is needed C) It automatically enters the market D) It becomes illegal immediately

Answer: A. Explanation: The reading explains that formal regulatory oversight begins when applications move beyond containment.

Question 12: [Straightforward | MCQ] Canada’s regulatory system usually triggers assessment based on the novelty of the: Options: A) product B) minister C) company D) province

Answer: A. Explanation: Canada focuses on product novelty and attributes rather than only the production method used.

Question 13: [Critical thinking | MCQ] Why is Canada’s novelty-based regulatory approach significant? Options: A) It can capture more products than systems triggered only by transgenic methods B) It avoids all risk assessment C) It only regulates human embryos D) It bans all genomics products

Answer: A. Explanation: Because it focuses on novel product traits, Canada may assess products created by several techniques, not only transgenic ones.

Question 14: [Straightforward | Matching] Match each risk-analysis stage to its role. Options: A) Risk assessment B) Risk management C) Risk communication 1) Scientific evaluation of risk 2) Decisions and controls to manage risk 3) Explaining risk information to the public and interested parties

Answer: A-1, B-2, C-3. Explanation: The reading describes risk analysis as assessment, management, and communication.

Question 15: [Straightforward | MCQ] Reproductive technologies were brought onto the national agenda mainly by: Options: A) women’s groups and coalitions B) mining companies C) sports leagues D) banks only

Answer: A. Explanation: Women’s organizations played a key role in pushing for national attention and a royal commission.

Question 16: [Application | True/False] The assisted human reproduction policy area shows how federalism can complicate science and health regulation. Options: True / False

Answer: True. Explanation: The Supreme Court decision forced reconsideration of federal and provincial jurisdiction in this field.

Question 17: [Straightforward | Fill in the blank] Assisted Human Reproduction Canada was created as a federal regulatory body under the 2004 Assisted Human Reproduction ________. Options: A) Act B) Budget C) Treaty D) Charter only

Answer: A) Act. Explanation: AHRC was created to help implement the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.

Question 18: [Critical thinking | MCQ] Why did the Supreme Court ruling create problems for the Assisted Human Reproduction Act? Options: A) Some sections were seen as intruding into provincial jurisdiction over hospitals, clinics, research, property, and civil rights B) It banned all health research C) It transferred health care to municipalities D) It removed Parliament completely

Answer: A. Explanation: The Court found that some parts exceeded federal authority and fell under provincial powers.

Question 19: [Straightforward | MCQ] Genome Canada was created in 2000 as a/an: Options: A) arm’s-length not-for-profit corporation B) municipal agency C) court tribunal D) private pharmacy chain

Answer: A. Explanation: Genome Canada was established to support large-scale genomics research in Canada.

Question 20: [Application | MCQ] Why did Genome Canada use regional centres such as Genome BC, Ontario Genomics Institute, and Génome Québec? Options: A) To develop and manage regional projects and applications B) To replace all universities C) To regulate hospitals directly D) To stop federal research funding

Answer: A. Explanation: Regional centres helped organize project development and administration across Canada.

Question 21: [Straightforward | True/False] Genome Canada mainly supports small individual research grants with no management requirements. Options: True / False

Answer: False. Explanation: Genome Canada focuses on large-scale, professionally managed research with contracts, reporting, evaluation, and project management.

Question 22: [Straightforward | Fill in the blank] Genome Canada’s GE3LS work examines genomics and its ethical, environmental, economic, legal, and ________ aspects. Options: A) social B) sporting C) military D) electoral

Answer: A) social. Explanation: GE3LS expands ethical/legal/social analysis to include environmental and economic dimensions.

Question 23: [Application | MCQ] A project studies both genome sequencing and the ethical effects of using that data in health care. This reflects which Genome Canada approach? Options: A) Integrated GE3LS research B) Deregulation only C) Vote-item budgeting D) Agricultural extension

Answer: A. Explanation: GE3LS embeds social, ethical, legal, economic, and environmental research into genomics projects.

Question 24: [Critical thinking | MCQ] Personalized medicine challenges Canada’s health policy because it raises questions about evidence, regulation, access, cost-effectiveness, and: Options: A) who will pay B) which party campaigns more C) whether DNA exists D) how to avoid all research

Answer: A. Explanation: The reading emphasizes that payment decisions are central because approval does not guarantee public funding.

Question 25: [Critical thinking | Matching] Match the policy history to its major issue. Options: A) Reproductive technologies B) Human Genome Project C) Genome Canada D) Personalized medicine 1) Federalism, women’s advocacy, and assisted reproduction regulation 2) International genome sequencing and public/private ownership concerns 3) Large-scale Canadian genomics research funding 4) Targeted care, patient access, cost-effectiveness, and who pays

Answer: A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4. Explanation: These four histories structure the reading’s analysis of Canada’s genomics, life sciences, and technology policy domain.