Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators

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Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators

Instructors: Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.

19,039 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

174 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

174 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

4 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in 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.

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.

What's included

4 videos6 readings1 assignment

4 videosTotal 25 minutes

Course Overview2 minutes
Introduction to the Course1 minute
The Broad Timeline of Genetics12 minutes
Teaching Genetics Through an Exploration of Ethical Issues9 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Resources10 minutes
Genetics: A Short History10 minutes
Nature and Nurture10 minutes
Thinking Ethically10 minutes
Advancing Technology and the Need for Expanding Ethical Concerns10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz30 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 peer review

5 videosTotal 51 minutes

Recent Developments in Cloning9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Cloning and Conservation10 minutes
Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards16 minutes
Next Generation Science Standards13 minutes
Peer-Graded Assignment Overview4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Cloning: How and Why?10 minutes
DNA Fingerprinting, Individual Identification and Ancestry10 minutes
Tools and Techniques in the Modern Molecular Laboratory10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Ethical Conflict Written Assignment120 minutes

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.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 assignment

7 videosTotal 41 minutes

Genomics in Medicine10 minutes
Lab Tour with Dr. DeSalle7 minutes
Using “Genethics” with Students7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells: Developing New Cures7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cell Advance Study of Lou Gehrig’s Disease2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells Made from Eggs Alone2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Genes and Health – Moving Beyond Race7 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Epigenetics and the Epigenome10 minutes
Human Variation Versus Ethnic Groups and Pharmacogenomics10 minutes
Redesigning the Self: The Promise and Perils of Genetic Enhancement10 minutes
A Modern Day Genetic Testing Conundrum10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 3 Quiz30 minutes

This week you will learn about the societal implications of genetically modified food, and discuss ways to incorporate this issue into your teaching.

What's included

3 videos6 readings1 assignment

3 videosTotal 23 minutes

Genetically Modiﬁed Organisms 9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Potato Biodiversity – Ensuring the Future9 minutes
Teaching About GMO Food5 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Genetically Modified Food: Bt Corn10 minutes
Genomics, Biotechnology, and Agriculture10 minutes
Mapping Morality: The Rights and Wrongs of Genomics10 minutes
Resources10 minutes
Opportunities for Educators10 minutes
Support AMNH10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 4 Quiz30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(32 ratings)

Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.

American Museum of Natural History

2 Courses22,309 learners

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American Museum of Natural History

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Reviewed on Oct 18, 2015

this was a fantastic course. Genetics fascinates me!

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2021

Very informative course and it breaks up classes nicely between scientific principles and ethics. It was a lot easier for me to keep up with than I thought it would be.

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2024

Excellent course. Concise but interesting and beautifully delivered.

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