Researchers from the Goriely Lab and Centre for Personalised Medicine reflect on their experience of exploring genomics and ethics with A Level students in Southport.
On Rare Disease Day last month, our team (Dr Ali Kay, Dr Dale Maxwell, and Dr Hans Ng) led an interactive educational workshop titled “We Are All Mutants” for two biology classes at King George V College in Southport. We found that this workshop was a fantastic opportunity to engage students in a deeper understanding of the implications of genomics, genomic sequencing, and the ethical considerations surrounding newborn screening. After the session, we received some really positive feedback from the school.
The sessions were engaging and pitched perfectly to coincide with their current studies in the field of genomics...Speaking to my students afterwards, they all found these sessions really helpful, particularly to give them confidence to consider some of the ethical points. - Biology Tutor, King George V College
In the workshop, first Dale explained how scientists decode the human genome to better understand diseases and traits and explored what students thought about genomic sequencing. This was followed by a group work session led by Ali - in which students evaluated a range of different genetic conditions for their potential inclusion in a newborn genomic screening program. After making their decisions, each group shared their reasoning with the class, leading to rich discussions about early treatment, how to balance individual needs with collective health benefits, and the potential for discrimination based on genetic information.
Ali was really impressed by how well each group considered the importance of considering factors like actionability when considering screening, but also less obvious issues such as consent and parents potentially treating a child differently due to screening information.
You have to remember that these issues are very new to A-level biology students. It was brilliant to hear their conversations evolving as they identified a potential new knock-on impact of genomic information, either for the family or for society more widely. - Ali
We think that these types of discussions are vital for young people, especially as they grow up in a world where genomic information is becoming more accessible and impactful. The ability to critically assess the benefits and limitations of these technologies will be crucial for their own future decision-making.
Towards the end of the workshop, Hans led a discussion and showcased the “We Are All Mutants” animation:
Our research group (the Goriely lab) created this video in collaboration with Scriberia, to explain how each person’s genome is unique and how genetic variations can impact health.
After showing the video, we had a Q&A with the students and discussed the diverse range of careers available in genomics. Additionally, we shared our personal day-to-day experiences, including our career paths and how we got to where we are today.
Personally, I found it rewarding to share our expertise and experience with any student thinking about working in the field of genetics/genomics. The session gave us an opportunity to allow the general public, specifically the future generation, to think about ethical questions regarding genetic sequencing of newborns. - Hans
Hans, Ali and Dale leading the workshop at a prior outreach programme at Magdalen College School in June 2024.
The “We are all Mutants” workshop was made possible by an Enriching Engagement grant to Prof. Anne Goriely and Prof. Nina Hallowell. It is an example of how scientific research can spark curiosity, promote learning, and help young people understand the world around them in new ways.