solve the CHAPTER MYSTERY

HEIGHT BY PRESCRIPTION

Although scientific studies have not proved that HGH treatment significantly increases adult height, they do suggest that extra HGH may help some short kids grow taller sooner. Parents who learn about this possibility may want treatment for their children. David's doctor prescribed HGH to avoid criticism for not presenting it as an option.

This situation is new. Many years ago, HGH was available only from cadavers, and it was prescribed only for people with severe medical problems. Then, genetic engineering made it possible to mass-produce safe, artificial HGH for medical use—safe medicine for sick people.

However, many people who are shorter than average often face prejudice in our society. This led drug companies to begin marketing HGH to parents of healthy, short kids. The message: “Help your child grow taller!”

As David's case illustrates, science has the powerful potential to change lives, but new scientific knowledge and advances may raise more questions than they answer. Just because science makes something possible, does that mean it's right to do it? This question is difficult to answer. When considering how science should be applied, we must consider both its limitations and its context in society.

1. Relate Cause and Effect Search the Internet for the latest data on HGH treatment of healthy children. What effect does early HGH treatment have on adult height?

2. Predict HGH was among the first products of the biotechnology revolution. Many more are in the pipeline. As products become available that could change other inherited traits, what challenges await society?

3. Connect to the Why would it be important for scientists to communicate clearly the results of HGH studies? How might parents benefit by understanding the science behind the results?