Genetics and ethics resources
Many of these resources are external websites, therefore to avoid losing your page on the VGEC we suggest opening links in a new tab/window .
Science and the Ethics of Stem Cells
In March 2009 Dr Chris Willmott was interviewed by SuperSonic FM, a Leicester school radio station, as part of their National Science Week activities. This is a recording of the interview (27.5 minutes).
Resource: SuperSonic FM
Approach: Audio
Catalogue of Reusable Learning Objects
The University of Cambridge's excellent catalogue which covers genetics-related subject such as Clinical Utility, Informed Consent and Moral Theories as well as many more. The resources are a mix of podcasts, video presentations and PowerPoint presentations
Resource: University of Cambridge - Catalogue of RLOs
Approach: Topic material, resources
Ethical, Legal and Social Issues
A macromedia presentation by Dr Susan Wallace from the University of Cambridge. This is one of the University's excellent public health seminars, created by the Public Health Genetics Foundation
Resource: Ethical, legal and social issues
Approach: Topic Material, tutorial, video
Protect Consumers from Gene Tests
A BBC news article where Dr Ainsley Newson, senior lecturer in biomedical ethics at the University of Bristol is interviewed and gives his opinions on the inherent dangers of being given your DNA sequence on a memory stick.
Resource: BBC News Article
Approach: Topic Material
USPharmD+ Top 50 Genetics Blogs
A list of links to genetics-related blogs world-wide. Topics covered include issues such as health, biotechnology, evolution and many more.
Resource: Top 50 Genetics Blogs
Approach: Topic Material
BioethicsBytes
An online collection of multimedia resources to help with the teaching of bioethics, arranged by topic category.
Resource: BioethicsBytes website
Approach: Topic Material, videos, miscellaneous
The Ethics of Genetics
Wellcome Trust Site with news, features and background information.
Resource: The Wellcome Trust: Ethics of Genetics
Approach: Topic Material, videos, miscellaneous
The Genetic Interest Group
The Genetic Interest Group (GIG) is a national alliance of patient organisations with a membership of over 130 charities which support children, families and individuals affected by genetic disorders.
Resource: The Genetic Interest Group (GIG)
Approach: Topic Material, videos, miscellaneous
Topical Information and Resources
This is brought to you by The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity and bioethics.com. The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity exists to help individuals and organizations address the pressing bioethical challenges of today, including managed care, end-of-life treatment, genetic intervention, euthanasia and suicide, and reproductive technologies. bioethics.com is a global information source on bioethics news and issues.
Resource: Topical Information and Resources
Approach: Topic Material
Pigs offer new stem cell source
BBC news article about Chinese scientists who have given cells from adult pigs the ability to turn into any tissue in the body, just like embryonic stem cells.
Resource: BBC News
Approach: Topic Material
Scientists make sperm cells
BBC news article about UK scientists who claim to have made human sperm from stem cells. They foresee a possible use in treatment on male infertility.
Resource: BBC News
Approach: Topic Material
Medical Ethics Resource Guide
This guide provides links to information about issues in medical ethics including patient confidentiality, informed consent, cultural/religious considerations, conflicts of interest, and issues in medical research. The guide also contains book recommendations for further reading.
Resource: Medical Ethics Resource Guide
Approach: Topic Material
Use of model organisms in research
A series of videos discussing the use of organisms such as yeast and fruit flies to improve our understanding of human disease.
Resources:
- An interview with Dr Flav Giorgini about the use of yeast and fruit flied to study Huntingdon's Disease (2.57)
- An interview with Prof Bambos Kyriacou talking about Drosophila and biorhythms (3:05)
- An interview with Prof Rhona Borts talking about her use of yeast to study both infertility and cancers that develop from errors in DNA replication (1:40)
- A longer interview with Dr Flav Giorgini talking about his work (9:11)
- A longer interview with Prof Kyriacou (14:10)
- A longer interview with Prof Borts (5:44)
- Prof Borts explaining why the life cycle of yeast makes it a valuable research tool (3:11)
Age range: 14-16, 16-18
Approach: Video
BioethicsBytes: Forensic uses of DNA
This 5 minute video looks at a fictional murder in Leicester and reflects on some of the ethical arguments for and against the use of DNA evidence in such cases. It includes an interview with Prof Sir Alec Jeffreys, inventor of the original method for DNA fingerprinting.
Resource: Forensic uses of DNA
Approach: Video
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.
