How have advances in genetics affected society? What do we need to know to make ethical decisions about genetic technologies? This course includes the study of cloning, genetic enhancement, and ownership of genetic information. Course participants will acquire the tools to explore the ethics of modern genetics and learn how to integrate these issues into their classrooms.
Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators
Instructors: Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.
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There are 4 modules in this course
You will explore the history of genetics and genomics, and be introduced to ways of thinking ethically about issues involving genetic technology. You will learn how ethical issues can be used to spark your students’ interest, and how to uncover students’ misconceptions.
What's included
4 videos6 readings1 assignment
You will explore systems biology, stem cells, and cloning and the applications of these technologies. You will also learn about the ethics of cloning, which will be the basis for your written assignment, which opens this week.
What's included
5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 peer review
You will see how genetic information is being used to individualize medical treatments and take a video tour of the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History. You will also apply the Science and Engineering practices from A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Education Standards in considering how to engage students in discussion about ethics.
What's included
7 videos4 readings1 assignment
This week you will learn about the societal implications of genetically modified food, and discuss ways to incorporate this issue into your teaching.
What's included
3 videos6 readings1 assignment
Instructors
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Basic Science
University of Colorado Boulder
Duke University
Universiteit Leiden
American Museum of Natural History
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Reviewed on Feb 18, 2017
This course was very informative and gives an good knowledge of the basics of genetics.
Reviewed on Jan 6, 2021
Very informative course and it breaks up classes nicely between scientific principles and ethics. It was a lot easier for me to keep up with than I thought it would be.
Reviewed on Feb 12, 2016
This course covered a lot of ground & will be a good jumping off point.
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