Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

Emerging diseases and potential pandemics make the news nearly every year. Students (and everyone else) may wonder where new infectious diseases come from, how scientists assess the risk of a pandemic, and how we might go about preventing one. This case study uses a PowerPoint presentation to explore these questions by focusing on HIV, a pandemic that began as an emerging disease. The storyline progresses backwards through time as scientists attempt to unravel the origins of a new, mysterious plague. Much of the case relies on audio excerpts from an episode produced by Radiolab, an acclaimed radio show that explores a variety of topics in science and culture (www. radiolab.org). Students use graphics, animations, and sound clips presented in the PowerPoint slides to discuss several sets of questions. The case is suitable for a wide range of high school and college introductory biology courses, as well as undergraduate microbiology, ethics, and public health courses.

How do we modify our genes, and is it ethical?

This case study examines the structure of hemoglobin and myoglobin and how the structure of these molecules dictates their function. The case is written as a play in which several candidates have responded to a help wanted ad seeking an employee with a strong work ethic, round-the-clock availability, and the capacity to carry oxygen in the human body and deliver it in a timely fashion when needed. The successful candidate also needs to carry a heavy load of carbon dioxide and dispose of it according to waste disposal regulations and be willing to work with human resources regarding salary and benefits.

The scientific progress that has made it possible to dream of a future in which faulty organs could be regrown from stem cells also holds potential as an ethical and greener source for meat. So say scientists who suggest that every town or village could one day have its very own small-scale, cultured meat factory.

This case study details the historical discovery of the structure of DNA. Images of this key molecule are as iconic as those of the Mona Lisa, and identifying its structure has proven to be as intriguing a mystery for scientists as the reason behind Mona Lisa's smile has been for art historians. The case is woven together by a series of fictional diary entries that detail the history of the discovery of DNA's structure, the major players involved, their ethical dilemmas, and the role of women in science. The case is designed for a high school course or introductory undergraduate genetics/ biochemistry courses. It can also be used as an interdisciplinary case study bridging genetics, bioethics, art, and the status of women in science. Designed as an interrupted case, it may be used in its entirety or in parts that pertain to a particular topic or discipline. No prior knowledge of genetics is required.

Genetic and biotechnology can improve food security, the environment and public health. Yet dramatic innovation can lead to unintended consequences and present ethical challenges. In theory, the study of genetics and related cutting edge sciences are widely celebrated. But in practice, the words "gene" and "genetic engineering" often stir fear and misunderstanding when applied to biomedicine and farming. Intricate science scares people who don't understand risk and complexity. What is the potential of agricultural and human genetics? The commitment of the GLP is to promote public awareness of genetics and science literacy.

 For my research project with the USHMM, I focused on the ethical and moral deficiencies exhibited and practiced by scientists, doctors, nurses, and anthropologists during the Holocaust. As part of that research, I also focused on the American Eugenics movement,and specifically what happened in North Carolina.       The website contains videos, testimonies, articles, timelines, and specific activities associated with the specific Nazi plans of euthanasia through extermination. There is also a site that deals specifically with American and NC eugenics.

THE prospect of creating intelligent designer babies has been the subject of ethical debate for decades, but we have lacked the ability to actually do it. That may now change, thanks to a new method of testing an embryo's genes that could soon be available in some IVF clinics in the US, New Scientist can reveal.

"Bioethics is the study of ethical, legal, and social issues raised by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethics addresses a range of controversial topics, including privacy and fairness in the use of genetic information, integration of new technologies, such as genetic testing, into medical practice, and the design and conduct of research studies and clinical trials.  "

I'm sure you've probably heard of at least a few invasive species. Maybe you've heard of the Cane Toad. It's one of the classic introductions of invasive species gone wrong. It was introduced to eat pests in cane fields and then turned into a plague of epic proportions in Northern Australia. But here is the question. Now that these species are here, is it worth fighting their spread, or should we spend time and effort on other things. It's worth asking, and not just for the ethical implications. We live in a modern world and I think there is a real financial element to this as well. See if you can follow my logic through this video short. Do you agree with my thoughts? Should we keep fighting? Do you have any personal experience with an invasive species?

In this case study, the complexity of the Malaysian palm oil industry is examined through the perspective of various stakeholders, namely, villagers, corporations, orangutans, smallholders, conservationists, and an average consumer. Students learn about the plight of the orangutan and the environmental impacts of the palm oil industry but also understand the influence of global markets and the effect of their own purchases. Students are challenged to make ethical decisions, propose policy recommendations, and examine their own contributions to the demand for palm oil. The aim of the case is to provide students with tools to personally champion change. The case is appropriate for undergraduate students in wildlife, ecology, biology, or related classes but can also be tailored for advanced high school science courses.

This case study presents the mock trial of "Martin Miller." There is no question that Martin killed his girlfriend; he admitted to stabbing her in a violent rage. But what is the degree of his responsibility? By virtue of Martin having the MAOA-L gene variant, together with a history of childhood abuse, should his punishment be reduced? This hypothetical case, which requires students to think through the issues rather than simply look up a verdict, is based on actual events and violent behaviors that resulted in criminal charges claimed to be related to MAOA. The MAOA gene and its effect on behavior have been extensively studied, and research results have been introduced as evidence in court cases with differing results. The present case study allows students to explore how behavioral genetic information can be applied to a courtroom situation, and requires them to integrate information from biology, ethics, and the law. Note: Due to the unusual structure of the case, no answer key is available.

This directed case study was developed to introduce students to the CRISPR-Cas9 system for genome editing. CRISPR-Cas9 has made numerous headlines in both the scientific and popular press, and thus serves as an excellent model for learning current biotechnology and applying concepts from biology courses. After providing a general overview of CRISPR-Cas9, the majority of the case focuses on the clinical applications of the system as experienced by a carrier for the X-linked recessive allele underlying Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The case is structured so that students use a variety of popular and scientific sources (some of which may require a subscription to access-check with your institution), increasing in difficulty as they move through each part of the case. The goals are for students to learn the molecular mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9, the benefits and limitations of the system, and the clinical applications of the technology. Open-ended questions are included to spark discussion of ethical considerations, societal impacts, and the overall implications of the technology.

This directed case study was developed in order to present genomic data to students, allow them to interpret the impact of genetic variations on phenotype, and to explore precision medicine. Students are introduced to "Josie," a college sophomore who decides to have her genome sequenced after learning about genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in class. As students work  through the case, they learn about the different technologies that can be used in GWAS studies and interpret Josie's results for a subset of genetic markers that affect a range of traits from pharmacogenetics to disease risk alleles and non-pathogenic traits. Students are confronted with ethical issues such as duty to inform, actionable results, and variants of unknown significance (VUS). Students are also asked to reflect on their feelings about getting genomic testing for themselves. An optional activity for advanced students (included in the teaching notes) involves using the Gene database at NCBI to explore variants of the CYP2C9 gene. The case study is appropriate for use in undergraduate genetics or molecular biology classrooms.

Genome Sciences Education Outreach at the University of Washington in Seattle develops innovative programs that bring leading-edge science to teachers and students in K-12 schools.

The Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle develops innovative programs that bring leading-edge science to teachers and students in K-12 schools.

GlaxoSmithKline has developed what looks like a cure for a rare and deadly disease, and it's going to cost $665,000 for a single dose. That sky-high price tag-more than twice the average price of a house-is likely to stir what's already a long-simmering debate in health care: How much should curative therapies cost, and how should society pay for them?

The Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC), developed the following fact sheets in respect of stem cell science and related topics. Please note that whilst the Fact Sheets were updated shortly before the ASCC closed in 2011, users should note that they are no longer being updated and be aware that the content in them may be out of date. Although the content of the fact sheets is unlikely to have been superseded please do not rely on them for any decision-making purposes and they should be used as part of a wider reading program on the subjects.

The Future of Research is being decided now! While we are fortunate to have a robust system of protections in place that help assure research will provide more benefit than harm, the regulations that guide research with human participants have been in place for 40 years. Society is changing, technology is changing, the capabilities and interests of all of us are changing. We need to evolve our research systems too. It is increasingly hard for one group to decide what would be considered a benefit, or a harm, for another. In this new People Matter Project video, we call to institutions and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to think creatively about how to conduct trustworthy research in this changing climate.

Many of the following lessons were developed by Geneticist-Educator Network of Alliances (GENA) teams and have been further adapted by ASHG for use in high school (or advanced middle school) life sciences classrooms. These are identified by GENA cohort in the database. However, we have expanded the database to also include lessons developed through other ASHG programs, such as the High School Workshop. All lessons are intended to follow the BSCS's 5E instructional model (Bybee, RW, et al., 2006).