Genetic Technologies and Non-infectious Disease
- Junessa Masaya
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
HSC Biology | Study Notes
Genetic technologies and non-infectious disease are an important part of NSW Biology Stage 6, Module 8, Non-infectious Disease and Disorders. This topic matters because Module 8 focuses on technologies used to assist, control, prevent and treat non-infectious disease, and HSC materials also directly link genetic technologies to the management of conditions such as type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis.
In this lesson
what genetic technologies are in this topic
how gene therapy may be used
how recombinant products help manage disease
how these technologies support disease management
the main ethical issues linked to their use
Why genetic technologies matter in non-infectious disease
Genetic technologies are used to help manage some non-infectious diseases by:
replacing or modifying faulty genes
producing useful substances for treatment
improving long-term disease management
reducing symptoms or improving quality of life
This fits Module 8 because students study technologies used to assist and treat non-infectious disease, while Module 6 provides the biotechnology background behind these methods.
Gene therapy
Gene therapy is the use of genetic technology to replace, insert or alter genes in a patient’s cells.
What gene therapy aims to do
Gene therapy aims to:
replace a faulty gene
restore normal function
reduce the effect of an inherited disorder
Example in non-infectious disease
A 2020 HSC marking guideline explains that inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis may be treated by delivering a replacement gene to lung cells using recombinant viruses.
Why gene therapy matters
Gene therapy is important because it targets the genetic cause of a disease, not just the symptoms.
Limitation of gene therapy
The same HSC marking guideline notes an important limitation. Even if a replacement gene is delivered to lung cells, when those cells are replaced later, the new cells formed from stem cells may still not have the healthy version of the gene. This means treatment may not always be permanent.
Recombinant products
Recombinant products are useful substances made using recombinant DNA technology.
What this means
A gene from one organism can be inserted into another organism, often bacteria, so that the host produces a useful product.
Human insulin
A key NSW Biology example is human insulin.
A 2020 HSC marking guideline explains that bacteria can be given a human insulin gene and then produce insulin. That insulin can be used to treat type 1 diabetes and keep patients alive. A 2023 HSC marking guideline also describes human insulin production using recombinant DNA technology and explains that the insulin is then used by patients to manage diabetes.
Why recombinant products matter
Recombinant products matter because they:
increase supply of important treatments
can improve access to medicine
support long-term disease management
Disease management
Genetic technologies do not always cure a disease, but they can play a major role in disease management.
Managing diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer produces insulin. Recombinant DNA technology allows insulin to be produced in bacteria, which can then be used to manage blood glucose levels in patients.
Managing inherited disorders
In inherited non-infectious disorders such as cystic fibrosis, gene therapy may help by supplying a healthy version of a faulty gene. Even when it is not a complete cure, it may still improve management of the disorder.
Key idea
A good Module 8 answer should show that disease management can involve:
replacing a missing product, such as insulin
targeting the faulty gene, as in gene therapy
improving quality of life rather than fully removing the disease
Benefits of genetic technologies
Genetic technologies can provide important benefits in the management of non-infectious disease.
Benefits include
improved access to treatments
longer life expectancy
improved quality of life
more targeted treatment of some disorders
A 2025 HSC marking guideline states that genetic technologies have largely been beneficial to society by improving access to drugs, life expectancy and quality of life for many people.
Ethical issues
Genetic technologies can also raise ethical issues.
Human applications
When genetic technologies are used in people, questions may arise about:
fairness of access
stress caused by genetic information
how test results may affect life decisions
whether all uses are acceptable
Genetic testing and screening
A Year 12 problem set uses Huntington’s disease as an example.
It explains that genetic testing may help a person prepare financially and personally for the future, but it may also cause stress and anxiety. It also notes that if an employer had access to the information, this might affect employment prospects.
Embryo screening
The same problem set explains that embryo screening can allow parents to choose an embryo that does not carry Huntington’s disease, but this may involve significant trauma or distress in deciding to reject an embryo. It also notes that an embryo may still carry other inherited diseases that were not tested for.
Broader ethical concerns
A 2025 HSC marking guideline also lists broader concerns linked to genetic technologies, including:
ethical concerns
unintended health effects
environmental risks
For this page, the main focus is on the human ethical questions around using biotechnology for non-infectious disease.
Benefits and ethical issues compared
Aspect | Example |
Benefit | Recombinant bacteria produce insulin for diabetes treatment |
Benefit | Gene therapy may help treat inherited disorders |
Ethical issue | Genetic testing may cause stress or affect employment |
Ethical issue | Embryo screening may create distress about selection decisions |
Why this topic matters in Module 8
This topic is important because it connects:
non-infectious disease
genetic technologies
treatment and management
ethical decision-making
It also shows how scientific knowledge developed in genetics can be applied to real medical problems.
Worked example
Exam-style question
Explain how one genetic technology is used to manage a non-infectious disease.
Worked answer
Recombinant DNA technology is used to manage type 1 diabetes. A human insulin gene is inserted into bacteria, and the bacteria then produce insulin. This insulin can be used by diabetic patients to help control blood glucose levels and manage the disease.
Why this works
This answer:
names the technology
names the disease
explains clearly how the technology helps manage the condition
Common mistakes
Treating gene therapy and recombinant product technology as the same thing.
Saying genetic technologies always cure disease completely.
Forgetting that insulin production is a management strategy, not a genetic cure.
Writing only about benefits and ignoring ethical issues.
Describing ethical issues without linking them to a real example.
Quick quiz
What is gene therapy?
What is a recombinant product?
How is recombinant DNA technology used in type 1 diabetes?
Why might gene therapy not always be permanent?
Give one ethical issue linked to genetic testing or embryo screening.
Comments