Advisory Prerequisites: Prior experience with ethical, legal, and social issues raised by genomics
Description: Genetics and genomics research are rapidly generating scientific discoveries, technological advances, and clinical applications, each with important implications for medicine and public health. In order for the promise of the "genomics revolution" to be achieved, however, numerous ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) will need to be addressed. This weekly seminar will address a wide range of ELSI issues involved in the following areas: implementation of genetic screening and testing in medical, public health and direct-to-consumer contexts; ethics of genetics research, including challenges around informed consent, data privacy, and return of individual research results; and legal and policy options for the regulation of genetic testing, genomic research, and precision medicine.
Learning Objectives: 1) Gain awareness of and appreciation for a variety of ethical, legal, and social issues raised by developments in genomic science; 2) Learn about methodological skills involved in the conduct of ELSI research and communication about genomics research and applications; and 3) Enhance professional development through written and oral assignments, critical review of scientific literature, and networking with faculty and peers with mutual interests in genomics and ELSI issues.
