Undergraduate Education

Genome Focus Program

Genomes in Our Lives: Narratives and the Meaning of DNA

Philosophers, entrepreneurs, and artists – not to mention scientists, politicians, and policy-makers – have all laid claim to the power and influence of DNA. Discoveries based on awareness of the genomes of literally thousands of organisms inhabiting this planet have facilitated renewed emphasis on the study of life and its meaning in the humanities and social sciences as well as in the life sciences. Whether one is inclined to be a scientist or not, experiencing and living the implications of such scientific discoveries depends on understanding the social and personal complexity embedded within the many contexts and filters applied to genomic information – in research labs, in film, in narratives, in genome databases, and on Capitol Hill. The goal of this cluster is to explore the genome sciences in its many contexts and to help students – scientists and non-scientists alike – explore the social, cultural, and scientific meaning of genomic advances and the questions that such advances pose for understanding our past and contemplating our collective future. Each of the courses in the cluster will explore this theme from a different perspective, with the result that students will develop an enhanced appreciation for the issues – in both science and policy – that we face as a society and as individuals. This cluster is designed for students with widely varied interests, ranging from humanities students with little science background, to potential science majors who hope to understand the scientific and social implications of their future work.

Program Director: Hunt Willard, PhD