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
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 25 minutes
Course Overview•2 minutes
Introduction to the Course•1 minute
The Broad Timeline of Genetics•12 minutes
Teaching Genetics Through an Exploration of Ethical Issues•9 minutes
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
Syllabus•10 minutes
Resources•10 minutes
Genetics: A Short History•10 minutes
Nature and Nurture•10 minutes
Thinking Ethically•10 minutes
Advancing Technology and the Need for Expanding Ethical Concerns•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
DNA Fingerprinting, Cloning, and the Future
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
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
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5 videos•Total 51 minutes
Recent Developments in Cloning•9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Cloning and Conservation•10 minutes
Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards•16 minutes
Next Generation Science Standards•13 minutes
Peer-Graded Assignment Overview•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
Cloning: How and Why?•10 minutes
DNA Fingerprinting, Individual Identification and Ancestry•10 minutes
Tools and Techniques in the Modern Molecular Laboratory•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 2 Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Ethical Conflict Written Assignment•120 minutes
Genomics in Medicine
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
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
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7 videos•Total 41 minutes
Genomics in Medicine•10 minutes
Lab Tour with Dr. DeSalle•7 minutes
Using “Genethics” with Students•7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells: Developing New Cures•7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cell Advance Study of Lou Gehrig’s Disease•2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells Made from Eggs Alone•2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Genes and Health – Moving Beyond Race•7 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Epigenetics and the Epigenome•10 minutes
Human Variation Versus Ethnic Groups and Pharmacogenomics•10 minutes
Redesigning the Self: The Promise and Perils of Genetic Enhancement•10 minutes
A Modern Day Genetic Testing Conundrum•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 3 Quiz•30 minutes
Genomes, Agriculture, and Society
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 23 minutes
Genetically Modified Organisms •9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Potato Biodiversity – Ensuring the Future•9 minutes
Teaching About GMO Food•5 minutes
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
Genetically Modified Food: Bt Corn•10 minutes
Genomics, Biotechnology, and Agriculture•10 minutes
Mapping Morality: The Rights and Wrongs of Genomics•10 minutes
Resources•10 minutes
Opportunities for Educators•10 minutes
Support AMNH•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 4 Quiz•30 minutes
Instructors
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.
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Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.