BIOL1915

Our understanding of DNA and genomes has infiltrated every aspect of society including medicine (diagnosis and susceptibilities to disease as well as developing new gene-based therapies, including gene therapy), CSI, ethics, GMOs for sustainable agriculture, and even designing our kids genomes. Class lectures and all reading material will be available online. Students will share their thoughts on a variety of controversial issues both online. In class, we will use the on-line blogs and lecture material as a starting points to discuss further various aspects of different applications of modern precision genetic technologies. The fundamental goal of the class is to encourage students to develop their processes of thinking about, and discussing in a small group, current complex and controversial issues. No final papers and no final exam.

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