Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Applied Genomics

Program Overview

This five-week module explores the ethical, social, and legal implications of genetic technologies. It examines the impact on individuals, population groups, and the availability of genetic testing and screening.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Students will be provided with a platform of ethical understanding from which to consider issues of human confidentiality, autonomy, disclosure, informed consent and natural justice. Upon this platform, students will consider the impact of genomic technologies on individual lives and those of demographic and ethnic groupings. The social implications of the availability of genetic testing and screening will be considered, especially in the context of reproductive technologies.

Outline:

The module is delivered one day each week for five consecutive weeks.

Assessment:

The module will be assessed via a 3000-word essay, and an exam made up of short answer and extended matching set questions.

Teaching:

Module Lead: Dr Lauren Traczykowski (Aston University Law School) Other University staff: To be confirmed. NHS staff: Dr Pooja Dasani Dr Laura Boyes Dr Peter Marks

Other:

This module can be taken as a stand-alone assessed or non-assessed course. You should have a good honours degree in a life sciences subject, although we will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and professional experience within the health service or other relevant background. You should either take Fundamentals in Human Genetics and Genomics , Omics Techniques and their Application to Genomic Medicine and Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Diseases first, or be able to show you have equivalent knowledge and understanding to enable you to benefit from this module.