Section A08: Genes 'R Us (?)
On almost a weekly basis we are confronted by yet another news report about a major "new" gene being described that determines whether or not you will contract some debilitating, life-changing disease, determine how you act and think, or even define who you are and the limits to what you can become. The revolution of modern genomics is truly redefining how we look at ourselves, impacting the very definition of individuality and choice; a potentially liberating yet frightening "brave new world." In this seminar, we will explore the frontier of modern genetics and genomics and what recent findings say about the role genes play in determining who we are. We will explore the potential roles of genetic determinism and free choice, the interplay among genes, environment, and culture, and the role society and media plays in understanding (or misunderstanding) these issues. Are our futures written in the stars of our genomes? Are we nothing more than the sum of our genes? Or can we become something more?