Using resources to discuss ethical issues

Discussing ethics in genomics and healthcare can be daunting and personal, for teachers and students alike. Using resources and activities can help foster and shape discussions around ethics.

The science education team at EMBL has created a bioethics classroom resource to introduce students to the ethical issues behind using CRISPR-Cas9 as a genome editing tool in various areas of research, and to prompt students to be critical consumers of information. Watch the video to find out more about this resource.

Have you already had discussions on the bioethics behind modifying the genome of an organism with your students? What resources have you used to teach the topic in class? We’ve linked some of our favourites below:

Links:

Be Part of the CRISPR Conversation (ELLS, Downloadable activity): Discussion based activity around CRISPR

Genome Generation (yourgenome.org, downloadable activity): Discussion based activity around multiple genomics topics

Debate pages (yourgenome.org), Debate pages that introduce controversial and/or ethically linked topics in genomics

ABC vs St George (Webpage), digital case study including videos that highlight a real legal case centring genomic issues