Should We Engineer the Mosquito? Forum

TYPE: Forums
AUDIENCE: Informal Science Educators
TOPIC: Synthetic Biology
Building with Biology public forum where participants discuss whether the mosquito should be genetically engineered.
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DESCRIPTION

This is a Building with Biology forum in which participants have a chance to learn about a synthetic biology topic and then engage in a guided conversation and make a plan of action. In this case, the participants are both scientists and members of the public, the topic is genetically engineered mosquitoes, and the plan is a decision about whether to release genetically engineered mosquitoes in Mombasa, Kenya. Participants get the chance to practice critical thinking skills and apply them to a real-world socio-scientific issue.

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  • Mosquito up close on human hand
  • Should we engineer the mosquito promotional flyer showing people talking at a table
  • Should we engineer the mosquito promotional sign showing image of mosquito
  • Should we engineer the mosquito discussion materials showing map of Kenya
  • Should we engineer the mosquito material showing a photo and profile of Matthew a Bioengineer
  • Mosquito up close on human hand
  • Should we engineer the mosquito promotional flyer showing people talking at a table
  • Should we engineer the mosquito promotional sign showing image of mosquito
  • Should we engineer the mosquito discussion materials showing map of Kenya
  • Should we engineer the mosquito material showing a photo and profile of Matthew a Bioengineer

DESCRIPTION

This is a Building with Biology forum in which participants have a chance to learn about a synthetic biology topic and then engage in a guided conversation and make a plan of action. In this case, the participants are both scientists and members of the public, the topic is genetically engineered mosquitoes, and the plan is a decision about whether to release genetically engineered mosquitoes in Mombasa, Kenya. Participants get the chance to practice critical thinking skills and apply them to a real-world socio-scientific issue.

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES

TRAINING VIDEOS

OBJECTIVES

BIG IDEA

Synthetic biology  benefits from  many voices. Synthetic biology is interconnected with society.

LEARNING GOALS

  • All new technologies present inherent risks, opportunities, and benefits for different people.

  • The introduction of new organisms into the environment raises many societal and ethical questions.

  • Everyone has valuable perspectives and views to add to the conversation.

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TYPE:
Educational Resources
AUDIENCE:
Ages 15 - Adult
LANGUAGES:
English
ADDITIONAL TOPICS: Life Sciences Health and Medicine Animals Microorganisms Synthetic Biology Societal Topics Science and Society
KIT: Building with Biology full color squared logo featuring illustrations of DNA, a gear and a set of pliers Browse kit
KEYWORDS:

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2016
PROJECT
OWNING INSTITUTION

Museum of Science

FUNDING

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DRL 1421179.  Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.