GBIO 620

About this course

How will our growing knowledge of the genome affect our health, our societies, and the natural world? How do heredity and environment interact? This course explores a scientific frontier: how scientists are investigating and applying the information contained in genetic codes. It covers the science, technology and ethics of molecular biology, including a review of how genes are transmitted and expressed. Students are introduced to a structure for thinking ethically that will frame their exploration of the issues that arise as our knowledge of our genome increases. Specific topics studied include: the "nature and nurture" debate regarding the influence of genes and environment on human development; genetically modified food; the Human Genome Project; and cloning. The course utilizes a diverse array of Museum instructional resources in a structured distance-learning environment. This course is offered in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History.