The Genome Revolution & Its Impact on Society

Overview

The Human Genome Project was a remarkable achievement for science and for society as a whole. It has dramatically increased our knowledge of genetics, heredity, and biology; it suggests wonderful possibilities for medicine, health and other benefits for mankind. At the same time, however, this knowledge is having an important, yet sometimes unsettling, impact on wide-ranging aspects of our society. The goal of this cluster is to explore the "Genome Revolution" in its many forms and help students begin to understand the social, cultural, and scientific meaning of genomic advances and the questions such advances pose for our collective future. Each of the courses in the cluster will explore the theme from a different perspective, with the result that students will be exposed to the complexity of the subject and will develop an enhanced understanding of the issues – in both science and policy – that we face as a society and as individuals. This cluster is designed for students with widely varied interests, ranging from humanities students with little science background, to potential science majors who hope to understand the scientific and social implications of their future work.

Take a quick look at the 2006 cluster: Genome Revolution Snapshot!

Courses

Seminar: Biology 194FCS Genomes, Biology & Medicine

Huntington F. Willard, Director, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy; Nanaline H. Duke Professor of Genome Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, Departments of Biology and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology.

This course examines the science of the human and other genomes and genetic variation among individuals, populations and species.  This course will explore what genetics and genomics reveals about topics such as evolution, race, infectious disease, sex, aging, athletics and behavior, and how the mapping and sequencing of the human and other genomes is revolutionizing the life sciences, engineering and medicine.  Advanced placement credit in biology is recommended for this course.
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Seminar: Philosophy 95FCS Ethical Issues in Genomics

Allen Buchanan, James B. Duke Professor, Department of Philosophy; Member, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy.

This course explores some of the more controversial applications of genome science-based technologies to human beings, focusing on the debate about the use of such technologies to enhance normal human capacities and characteristics. ‘Ethics’ here covers both ethical decision-making by individuals (e.g., prospective parents deciding whether to influence the genomes of their offspring) and ethical public policy-making (e.g., whether to fund and how to regulate the development and use of enhancement technologies).
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Seminar: Computer Science 04FCS Introduction to Computational Genomics

Terry Furey, Assistant Professor, Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy

Students will explore the role of computation in prior and current biological research, both in large–scale genomics projects such as the human genome project and in basic biology and medical research.  This course will give students an introduction into programming including scripting, CGI programming, dynammic programming, and web protocols.  Students will also have an introduction into specific algorithms, tools, and resources for biological research including genome sequence alignment and database design and mining.  The course will examine the technical and social implications of genomics and genome studies made possible by advances in algorithms, computational methods, and computational models.  Prior knowledge of or experience in computer programming or computer science is not required.  This is an introductory course.
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Seminar: Genome 98FCS, Secrets of Life: DNA, Property Rights, and Human Identity

Misha Angrist, Assistant Professor of the Practice, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy.

In February 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson strolled into The Eagle pub in Cambridge, UK and told patrons that they had discovered "the secret of life." In purely biological terms, one could make a strong case that DNA -- and thus the genomes that DNA represents -- is indeed the secret of life. But what has unfolded in the last 50-plus years has been beyond what anyone could have imagined in 1953. Because of both its usefulness and its mystique, DNA has become something of a Rorschach inkblot for our society: The United Nations says it is humanity's common heritage. Genetic diagnostic companies say it is theirs to patent. Universities and even whole nations claim ownership of DNA samples for various biobank and other research initiatives. Law enforcement has become increasingly bold in its DNA collection efforts, sometimes in the absence of criminal charges and to the alarm of civil libertarians. Artists recognize its aesthetic and symbolic potential. And now, with the advent of personal genomes and ancestry testing, we find ourselves in a position to stake claims to our own DNA and perhaps that of our loved ones. But what is the nature of these claims? What are their scientific, legal, philosophical, moral and emotional bases? With the help of scholarship from disparate fields, we will attempt to find out.
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Focus 99FCS.06 Special Topics in Focus: The Genome Revolution

Tomalei Vess, Associate Director, Education and Academic Development, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy

This weekly discussion course will give students and faculty opportunities to integrate the sometimes disparate elements of genomics and the various human endeavors it touches, be they biological, technological, ethical, legal, cultural and/or religious.  If there is an overarching theme to the course, it might be our evolving view of the human genome: what was once an abstraction can now fit comfortably on a USB drive.  And what was once a distant dream, the province only of genome entrepreneur Craig Venter and an anonymous DNA donor in Buffalo, can soon be yours: your own genome sequence.  But...do you want to open the black box and do you—does anybody—know what you should do with it?  We will explore these and many other questions through discussions, popular and scientific articles, film, art, literature and an all–star cast of guest speakers from all walks of life who are united by an abiding interest in the genome sciences and what they might mean for all of us.
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