Genomics and Society

1, 8 & 15 November 2024

Dr. Kostas Kampourakis, UNIGE

Dr. Kostas Kampourakis, UNIGE

Learning objectives

At the end of this course the students should be able to:

• Understand the societal issues related to the public awareness of genomics
• Analyze polls on the public awareness and understanding of genomics, and interpret their findings
• Address the concerns that non-experts have when it comes DNA testing
• Explain the validity and the reliability of DNA testing to lay people, as well as the relevant limitations
• Create a short essay that is intended to help non-experts understand a specific aspect of or topic related to genomics and society
• Evaluate the short essays of other participants in terms of comprehensiveness and comprehensibility.

Day 1

SESSION 1: 09:00-12:00 Public image of genomics (analysis of representations of genomics in the media)

SESSION 2: 13:00-16:00 Public awareness and understanding of genomics and DNA testing (analysis of studies on public awareness and understanding)

Day 2

SESSION 3: 09:00-12:00 DNA testing related to health (discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)

SESSION 4: 13:00-16:00 Ancestry DNA testing (discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)

Day 3

SESSION 5:
09:00-12:00 Explaining genomics and DNA testing to non-experts (production of a short essay intended for a broad audience)

SESSION 6:
13:00-16:00 Presentation and discussion of essays

UNIL (GEN 4026)

Travel

PhD students of the CUSO biology programmes are eligible for the reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, 2nd class) from the main station of your institution city and the course location. Claims can be done online via MyCUSO when the activity is over.

Fees

CUSO participants: Free
Other participants: Please contact the programme coordinator at staromics(at)cuso.ch

CUSO PhD candidates: free

Other participants: please contact the program coordinator at staromics(at)cuso.ch

Cancellation policy: In case of cancellations before the registration deadline (TBC): free

Late cancellations or no-show: 100 CHF administrative fee

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