Curriculum

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Syllabus

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Learning goals

Develop the skills to appreciate, articulate and address ethical, legal and social issues in genetics research and society.

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Course description

Focus is on examining the past, present, and future relationship between human genetics and society to evaluate the ethical implications of the research we conduct. Students will reflect on their personal roles and biases in order to develop the tools needed to conduct equitable, just, and inclusive research. Topics include the intersection between science and society; history of American eugenics; community-engaged research; race, ancestry, and identity; forensic genetics; behavioral genetics; and reproductive genetics. Preference to graduate students and postdocs working with genetic technologies or concepts. Formerly offered as BIOS 232.

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Overview

Session 1: Course Introduction and History of Genetics

Session 2: Introduction to Bioethics, Social Responsibility, and Community Engagement

Session 3: Race, Ancestry, and Genetics (Pt 1)

Session 4: Race, Ancestry, and Genetics (Pt 2)

Session 5: Behavior and Genetic Determinism

Session 6: Sex and Gender; Ability

Session 7: Screening and Selection

Session 8: Identification and Privacy

Session 9: Genetics in the Archives

Session 10: Self Reflection and Action

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Course Introduction and Introduction to Genetics, Bioethics, and ELSI

Learning objectives

• Develop a shared understanding of the class' scope, tone, learning objectives, and expectations, as well as a sense of collaboration in achieving learning objectives.
• Understand key concepts in genetics; get familiar with the four principles of bioethics; appreciate bioethical relativism; and get familiar with research methods in ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genetics.

Pre-class reading

• Science Under the Scope by Sophie Wang

Session 2: History of Eugenics

Learning objectives

• Understand the timeline of the eugenics movement and appreciate the role of American eugenicists in legitimizing eugenic beliefs and actions.
• Interrogate eugenic beliefs perpetuated in present-day research and society.

Pre-class reading

• "The origins of eugenics in America" by PBS

Session 3: Race and Ethnicity, Introduction to Group Project

Learning objectives

• Appreciate that race is socially constructed and scientifically fraudulent, yet has significant consequences in science and society. (Guest lecture by Professor Jonathan Rosa)
• Understand the goals and expectations of the group project.

Pre-class reading

• Introduction in "Racism, Not Race. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions" by Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan H. Goodman

Session 4: Behavioral Genetics and Argumentation Workshop I

Learning objectives

• Examine the ELSI issues in behavioral genetics, as it relates to the field's past, present, and future. (Lecture by Professor Daphne Martschenko)
• Develop skills for choosing, building and delivering strong, layered and compelling arguments.

Pre-class reading

• The Genomics, Behavior and Social Outcomes by Daphne O. Martschenko and Lucas J. Matthews

Session 5: Population Descriptors in Research

Learning objectives

• Define genetic ancestry, and discuss how it is used in genetics research and consumer genetics.
• Appreciate the importance of studying diverse populations, and articulate best practices for the use of population descriptors in research studies. (Guest lecture by Dr. Gen Wojcik)

Pre-class reading

• Using Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Research: A New Framework for an Evolving Field, National Academies Press

Session 6: Community Engagement

Learning objectives

• Discuss the value, opportunities, and downfalls of community engaged research, both generally and in human genetics.
• Learn how to consider various aspects and nuances of designing community-engaged research studies. (Guest lecture by Dr. Joanne Tien)

Pre-class reading

• Blood Journey, video by the New York Times

Session 7: Prenatal Testing and Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetics

Learning objectives

• Summarize different types of routine prenatal genetic testing (including their timelines, results, and accessibilities), and explore the role of eugenics in this field.
• Describe the landscape and availability of consumer genetic products, and examine their ethical, legal and social implications. (Lecture by Prof. Daphne Martschenko)

Pre-class reading

• The Last Children of Down Syndrome by S. Zhang, The Atlantic

Session 8: CRISPR, Biotech, and Forensics

Learning objectives

• Understand how genetics is used in forensics, and discuss the main implications of using genetic evidence in forensics and privacy contexts.
• To reflect on how the “discovery” of revolutionary technologies, such as CRISPR, lead to ethical discussions on scientific ownership and the broad applications that such technologies can be utilized for.

Pre-class reading

• “The Creepy Genetics Behind the Golden State Killer Case”, by M. Molteni, Wired

Session 9: Genetics and Law, Argumentation Workshop II, and Closing Reflections

Learning objectives

• Appreciate the relationship between genetics and the law, and be able to discuss examples from gene patenting, genetic discrimination and the use of genetic evidence in courts.
• Reflect on the learning arc and key takeaways from this class, and appreciate the abundance of topics that we didn't get a chance to cover.

Pre-class reading

• TED Talk by Tania Simoncelli, Should you be able to patent a human gene?

Session 10: Group Project Presentations

Learning objectives

• Be inspired by the amazing work and ideas of your classmates!