GSA Partnership

Discussing Genetics: Reproductive Genetics

Reproductive genetic technologies, including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), can allow people to learn more about the DNA of an embryo or fetus than ever before. For some people, genetic testing in reproductive healthcare provides an important decision-making tool; for some, these tests raise a suite of practical, ethical, moral, and religious questions. And the advent of CRISPR is bringing hopes for a new generation of genetic therapies as well as concerns that germline editing could lead to a new eugenics, exacerbating disparities and stigmatizing people living with perceived disabilities.

Discussing Genetics: Genome Editing and the Environment

The emergence of genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR, have opened new possibilities for engineering the world around us. Scientists are considering ways to apply these tools to address agricultural and environmental issues—modifying crops (for herbicide tolerance, drought resistance, and so on), gene drives to counter vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria), and even reviving extinct species. Some hail the use of these approaches, while others worry about unintended consequences of these ecosystem-changing actions.

Discussing Genetics: Exploring Human Sex Variation through Athletics

Athletics events (commonly referred to as track and field in the US) are often divided into men’s and women’s categories to provide fair competition, but efforts to define who qualifies to compete in the women’s events have been fraught with controversy. Since the 1940’s, athletics governing bodies have required competitors in women’s events to prove themselves female (first through anatomical exam, then through DNA-based tests, and now through testosterone levels), but differences in sex development mean that some individuals do not fit neatly into the male-female binary.

For this program we were fortunate to be joined by Bria Brown-King, who is the Director of Engagement at interACT, which is an organization that aims to empower intersex youths.

Difference, not Deficit: Reframing the Conversation around Genetics, Deafness, and Disability

Public engagement requires us to interrogate our language and the thinking behind it. What ideas are embedded in our language about genetics? What messages are we sending? How are people being impacted? In approaching these questions with humility, we have an opportunity to dismantle barriers that are excluding people from engaging with genetics, learn about assumptions that can cause harm, and create inclusive environments in our labs and classrooms.

This program was co-organized with PGED’s colleagues from Gallaudet University and the ASL Education Center who have challenged our thinking, expanded our minds, and illuminated pathways for engaging with deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Discussing Genetics: Science Engagement with Faith Communities

Faith communities are important partners in achieving far-reaching and bi-directional public engagement in response to rapid innovations in genetics. Most of the American public identifies as religious or spiritual. This can be a core element of personal and community identity, and informs people’s perspectives on science and technology topics, including ideas about genes, gene-editing, and what it means to be human. Moreover, religious leaders are often on the frontlines when people look for counsel and guidance about health and family-planning. Conversely, bridging the conversation between faith and genetics communities can play a valuable role in (1) informing how scientists approach the development and application of genetic tools and (2) influence the language scientists use to talk about genetics, so they are more welcoming of people from a variety of faith traditions and cultural backgrounds.

This short interactive workshop was provided by Dr. Rob O’Malley, who at the time was the project director for the AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program.