Molecular Genetics Ethics and Practice

Catalog description

The generation of transgenic animals - including worms, fruit flies, mice, sheep, or humans - is celebrated cornerstone of modern biological research, and has revolutionized medicine. This course focuses on teaching the scientific principles enabling animal transgenesis, including genetics, molecular and cell biology and animal husbandry, through directed reading - including primary scientific papers discussed in tutorials - and through lively in-class presentations and discussion. These activities will prepare students for hands-on activities in student-directed independent research projects in the latter half of the course, and enable students to produce and characterize transgenic fruit flies. The course will emphasize the ground-breaking contributions of scientists in the U.K., including those trained or currently at Oxford, to the principles and practice of animal genetics. These contributions will be highlighted through field trips to the Oxford Natural History Museum and British Natural History Museum. We will also discuss important ethical issues raised by transgenesis in animals, and recent controversial examples in humans. This course has no prerequisites.