Final answer:
The correct answer is option C. A scientist finding an association between a disease phenotype and SNPs is performing a Genome-wide association study (GWAS), a method used to identify genetic variants associated with diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a scientist tries to find an association between a disease phenotype and certain Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), the scientist is performing a Genome-wide association study (GWAS). GWAS is a powerful method used to identify genetic variants associated with diseases, especially those that are complex and could be influenced by multiple genomic changes. This approach is crucial in understanding the polygenic nature of most common diseases, like heart disease, which result from the interplay of multiple genes and environmental factors.
GWAS involves comparing the genomes of large groups of individuals with and without a certain disease to find SNPs that occur more frequently in the affected group. This helps in determining genetic predisposition to a disease and can lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets. Although the identification of disease-associated SNPs through GWAS is a major step in personal genomics, it also raises ethical issues such as the potential misuse of genetic information in settings like insurance and employment.
The correct answer to the student's question is: C) Genome-wide association study (GWAS).