Genetic technologies bring great promise to improve human health and well-being.
At the same time, scientific developments are outpacing our ability as individuals and as a society to consider the potential benefits and implications. As a result, these rapid advances leave many people with questions and concerns.
Meaningful engagement can empower people with information for making decisions about genetics. Thus, more conversation is needed between the public at large and the professionals at the forefront of genetics – from biomedical researchers and genetic counselors to agricultural scientists and science communicators. In addition to raising broad awareness about genetics, this also strengthens science, as scientists learn from the experiences and perspectives of the communities they serve.
Resources for Genetics Professionals
PGED aims to bridge the gap between science and society by providing programs that support genetics professionals in inclusive and impactful public engagement. We have created resources, organized webinars and workshops, taught in undergraduate and graduate courses at institutions (including Harvard and Stanford), presented at international science and science communication conferences, and advised leading genetics societies and scientific institutions on their education and engagement programs.
Our free resources bring conversations on personal genetics to the wider world. Our lesson plans can easily be adapted for a college classroom, and our mini-lessons have been used for engaging with people in various community spaces. The hub also includes recordings from two series of webinars organized in collaboration with a top genetics society and a national bioethics center.
Inclusive Public Engagement for Geneticists
Since 2020, PGED has been partnering with the Genetics Society of America (GSA) to expand public dialogue about genetics. Our joint aim is to better equip scientists to engage in discussions about genetics with all communities. The program includes a series of online workshops for scientists to increase their awareness of ethical and social issues in genetics and to build skills for public engagement.
Exploring Difference in the Biology Classroom
Through a grant from the National Institutes of Health, PGED collaborated with bioethicists at Stanford and Columbia to expand conversations about the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genetics. This partnership between PGED and the Center for ELSI Resources & Analysis (CERA) produced a series of virtual programs titled “Exploring Difference in the Biology Classroom”.
These ELSI conversations invited researchers to share their work with educators at the forefront of teaching science in middle schools, high schools, and undergraduate institutions.