Mississippi Science FB.4.5

ScienceGrades 9–12Foundations of Biology

The Standard

FB.4: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how genetic information is transferred from parent to offspring.

Research and report on genetic technologies that may improve the quality of life (e.g., genetic engineering, cloning, gene splicing, DNA testing).

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Molecular Basis of Heredity

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students research one genetic technology and explain what it changes or detects. They report a specific way it could help people, using evidence and naming a limit or risk.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that a DNA test detects a variant but does not change it. Their report cites a reliable source and separates a documented benefit from a possible future use.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a positive DNA test always means someone will develop a disease, or that the test changes their DNA. They may also think cloning produces a person with identical experiences and traits.
How to Assess It: Give students the FDA announcement about Casgevy, a sickle cell treatment. Ask for four sentences explaining what it changes, one reported benefit, one risk, and a fact from the source.

Lesson moves

Cut and tape paper DNA strips to model replacing a variant, then list two things the paper model cannot show.
Ask: Should expectant parents be offered sickle cell carrier screening? Write one benefit and one limit to discuss with a partner.
Give pairs four cards showing DNA testing, edited blood cells, a cloned sheep, and bacteria making insulin; have them match each to a technology.
Read the FDA's Casgevy announcement and mark who qualifies for treatment, one reported benefit, and one treatment risk.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to FB.4.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.