About this course: 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.
Created by: American Museum of Natural History
Taught by: Rob DeSalle, Ph.D., Curator
Division of Invertebrate Zoology
Taught by: David Randle, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Professional Development
Education Department
| Commitment | 5-8 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction and From Mendel to 1000 Genomes
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.
4 videos, 6 readings
- Video: Course Overview
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Resources
- Video: Introduction to the Course
- Video: The Broad Timeline of Genetics
- Reading: Genetics: A Short History
- Reading: Nature and Nurture
- Reading: Thinking Ethically
- Reading: Advancing Technology and the Need for Expanding Ethical Concerns
- Video: Teaching Genetics Through an Exploration of Ethical Issues
Graded: Module 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
DNA Fingerprinting, Cloning, and the Future
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.
5 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Recent Developments in Cloning
- Reading: Cloning: How and Why?
- Video: Science Bulletins: Cloning and Conservation
- Reading: DNA Fingerprinting, Individual Identification and Ancestry
- Reading: Tools and Techniques in the Modern Molecular Laboratory
- Video: Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards
- Video: Next Generation Science Standards
- Video: Peer-Graded Assignment Overview
Graded: Ethical Conflict Written Assignment
Graded: Module 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Genomics in Medicine
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.
7 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Genomics in Medicine
- Reading: Epigenetics and the Epigenome
- Reading: Human Variation Versus Ethnic Groups and Pharmacogenomics
- Reading: Redesigning the Self: The Promise and Perils of Genetic Enhancement
- Reading: A Modern Day Genetic Testing Conundrum
- Video: Lab Tour with Dr. DeSalle
- Video: Using “Genethics” with Students
- Video: Science Bulletins: Stem Cells: Developing New Cures
- Video: Science Bulletins: Stem Cell Advance Study of Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Video: Science Bulletins: Stem Cells Made from Eggs Alone
- Video: Science Bulletins: Genes and Health – Moving Beyond Race
Graded: Week 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Genomes, Agriculture, and Society
This week you will learn about the societal implications of genetically modified food, and discuss ways to incorporate this issue into your teaching.
3 videos, 6 readings
- Video: Genetically Modified Organisms
- Reading: Genetically Modified Food: Bt Corn
- Reading: Genomics, Biotechnology, and Agriculture
- Video: Science Bulletins: Potato Biodiversity – Ensuring the Future
- Reading: Mapping Morality: The Rights and Wrongs of Genomics
- Video: Teaching About GMO Food
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Opportunities for Educators
- Reading: Support AMNH
Graded: Week 4 Quiz
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Creators
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.
Ratings and Reviews
A really well done course that got me thinking in ways that I'm not used to. The insights into how to make science engaging will definitely come in handy as well. All in all a very enjoyable experience with enough new material and new ways of thinking and teaching to keep me interested (even ten years post-PhD in genetics). Thanks!
Useful one
This course was very informative and gives an good knowledge of the basics of genetics.
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DB
This was a fun, informative course that I enjoyed very much.