Jamie Ellis (Chemistry) spoke at a special symposium "Synthetic Biology and Genetically Modified Organisms" in a session focused on Policy Challenges & Opportunities at the 252nd ACS National Meeting on Monday, August 22, 2016.
Her abstract is:
Current popular opinion on the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) demonstrates the woeful lack of public understanding and comfort with fundamental chemical concepts. Arguments in this arena are often based upon fear rather than informed discussions using the scientific principles underlying new technologies. While chemistry faculty can and should continue to include information on topics of public importance such as GMOs as well as communication skills into our major courses, we miss a large opportunity to educate a broader population immediately. Many college students have the option or requirement to take at least a single semester of general education chemistry. This course requirement presents a valuable opportunity to integrate preliminary understanding of genetics and genetically modified organisms into the knowledge base of a broader population. Chemistry in Context is a textbook that provides a platform for interaction with this broader audience. This presentation will discuss the process of adapting content on genetics and biochemistry from the context of health to the context of GMOs over three editions of the text. Three different tactics for presentation of information will be discussed along with sample student responses. These tactics are valuable to target information for both non-majors and majors. We require new tactics to reach an educated and questioning, yet often misinformed, public to shift the questions asked and the basis of public argument.
