BIO 108 - Topic: Snip, Snip: Potentials and Limitations of Gene Editing (W) (1)

Genetic engineering has tremendous potential from optimizing agriculture by developing disease-resistance plants and improving crop yields, to treating cancer, genetic diseases and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS. However, along with these potentials come ethical considerations such as the potential for human germline manipulation and the production of “designer babies”. This course will consider the basic concepts of genetics including the structure and function of genes and genomes. We will discuss how the genome of an organism can be manipulated by “add in” or “cutting out” genes. We will consider the potential of gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 and how this technology is being used in agriculture and particularly in human health. Not open to students who have previously completed a First-Year Writing Course.
(First Year Writing Seminar (FYW)) (Science)