Resources

Science and the ethics of Stem Cells

In March 2009 Dr Chris Wilmott 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
Age range: 16-18
Approach: Audio

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
Age range: 16-18
Approach: Topic material

Top 60 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 60 genetics blogs
Age range: 16-18
Approach: Topic material

BioethicsBytes

An online collection of multimedia resources to help with the teaching of bioethics, arranged by topic category.

Resource: BioethicsBytes
Age range: 16-18
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
Age range: 16-18
Approach: Topic material, videos, miscellaneous

The Genetic Alliance UK

Formally known as the Genetic Interest Group (GIG), Genetic Alliance UK is a national alliance of patient organisations with a membership of over 180 charities which support children, families and individuals affected by genetic disorders.

Resource: The Genetic Alliance UK
Age range: 16-18
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
Age range: 16-18
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
Age range: 16-18
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
Age range: 16-18
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)
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