Genomics
Every living organism, including ourselves, has a genome, which provides all the instructions necessary for growth and development. Understanding how genomes work offers many potential benefits to society, but also raises questions about how we use and regulate that knowledge.
Introduction: What future do you see?
Synthetic biology: Science by design
Personalised genomics industry: Managing expectations
Biofuels: Is genomics key to the future of biofuels?
Further resources
Complete Genomics resource
This resource was written by Dr Emma Weitkamp
Useful links
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Innogen is the Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics. Innogen’s research aims to provide a sound base for decision-making in science, industry, policy and public arenas related to the life sciences.
The ESRC Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics (Cesagen) was established in October 2002 as a collaboration between the Universities of Cardiff and Lancaster. Cesagen is a multidisciplinary centre in which staff from social sciences and humanities work closely with natural and medical sciences to address the social, economic and policy aspects of developments in genomics.
Graphic Science - Genome Generation
Working with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Graphic Science developed a card-based discussion game, designed to encourage dialogue about the social and ethical issues associated with genetic and genomic science. Further information about the project and game can be found on the Graphic Science website.
Biofuels:
- The World Bank Developments Prospects Group paper: Mitchell, D (2008) A note on rising food prices (external PDF)
Personalised genomics:
- The Wall Street Journal article: Soon, $1,000 will map your genes
- Human Genetics Commission: Genetic testing services supplied direct to the public
- Nature article: My genome. So what?
- Journal of American Medical Association paper: The genome gets personal almost (external PDF)
Synthetic biology:
- iGEM Foundation
- Adventures in Synthetic Biology (a comic introduction to synthetic biology)