Undergrads Launch Genetics Education Website

A group of undergraduates at the University of San Diego have created a webpage with genetics information for a general audience. Genetics as a field is progressing at a rapid rate, and misinformation abounds, in part due to media distortion (Forbes has a good take on this). Hype and conflicting information create a need for reliable sources of information so that members of the public can arm themselves with a basic understanding of genetics.

As information about our individual genetics becomes increasingly accessible, consumers will need the tools to make informed decisions, whether it is a parent making decisions about prenatal testing or an individual using a personal genomics service. Additionally, as we have seen with transgenic crops/GMOs and stem cell therapies, voters are being given the responsibility for making ethical and regulatory decisions about genetics technologies at the ballot box. Scientists cannot expect support from a misinformed public.

Genetics Generation is the creation of the Ethical Issues in Genetics class at the University of San Diego, taught by Dr. Laura Rivard. The website is a source of information about basic genetics, emerging genetics technologies, and the ethical issues that face genetics research and its applications. The topics range from genetically modified organisms to genome sequencing and from gene therapy to prenatal testing. There are also blog posts to keep the site up to date with the latest genetics discoveries in the news and ethics case studies on topics like genetic discrimination.

It is always fun for me to see what fellow science undergrads around the world can accomplish. Check it out for yourself!

Additional Educational Resources for the Non-Specialist:

Evolution: Understanding Evolution (UC Berkeley)

Climate Change: Climate Change Education: Understanding and Teaching the Science behind Global Climate Change (National Center for Science Education)

0 Comment