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Should We Edit the Genome? forum

Building with Biology public forum where participants discuss CRISPR technology used to precisely edit DNA, and if we should.

DESCRIPTION

New tools—like "CRISPR"—are making it possible to edit DNA with great precision. Soon, we will be able to accurately alter targeted sections of the genome of other animals and plants, as well as our own DNA. But should we? In this forum, participants can discuss the positive and negative possibilities of altering genomes, along with their own hopes and fears around the technologies of synthetic biology.

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  • Should We Edit the Genome title slide
  • Should We Edit the Genome? forum manual cover
  • Should We Edit the Genome CRISPR application card
  • Should We Edit the Genome title slide
  • Should We Edit the Genome? forum manual cover
  • Should We Edit the Genome CRISPR application card

DESCRIPTION

New tools—like "CRISPR"—are making it possible to edit DNA with great precision. Soon, we will be able to accurately alter targeted sections of the genome of other animals and plants, as well as our own DNA. But should we? In this forum, participants can discuss the positive and negative possibilities of altering genomes, along with their own hopes and fears around the technologies of synthetic biology.

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES

OBJECTIVES

LEARNING GOALS

  • All new technologies present inherent risks, opportunities, and benefits for different people.

  • Changing the genes of an organism has been possible for a long time, but new methods and technologies raise new societal and ethical questions.

  • Everyone has valuable perspectives and views to add to the conversation.

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2016
OWNING INSTITUTION

Museum of Science

FUNDING

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DRL 1421179.  Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.