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Team:UIUC-Illinois/Bioethics
From 2010.igem.org
Contents |
Bioethics Overview
The University of Illinois Champaign Urbana 2010 iGEM team divided the bioethics project into two parts. First, we created and distributed a survey on the public’s knowledge and perception of synthetic biology. We then took the survey results and used them to customize our interactions with the public in order to better inform the community about synthetic biology.
Part One: Survey
We created a survey to provide us with feedback on the general public’s perception of synthetic biology. As of August 11th 2010, we received 73 responses from a population consisting mostly of students. The bulk of our survey distribution was through Facebook, while we also acquired responses from public events such as the Engineering Open House and Biology Open House held on the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana campus. As a result, the majority of our sample population consisted of students and academics.
Questions:
- What is your occupation?
- Do you have any religious affiliation?
- What is your commitment to this affiliation?
- Are you from the United States, and if so what state? If not, what country/region are you from?
- When was the last time you took a biology/engineering class?
- What are the first 3 words that come to mind when you hear Synthetic Biology?
- Are you aware of the human genome project?
- What are your thoughts on artificial nature/intelligence? If the government asked for your support in this area, would you give it?
- Can you name any ways synthetic biology or genetic engineering has affected your life?
- What kind of science and/or synthetic biology do you see in pop culture (music, movies, tv etc.)?
- What kind of things do you see in the future for science and/or synthetic biology?
- Any other comments?
1. What is your occupation?
2. Do you have any religious affiliation?
3. What is your commitment to this affiliation?
4. Are you from the United States, and if so what state? If not, what country/region are you from?
| Illinois | 65 |
| Indiana | 1 |
| Missouri | 1 |
| Texas | 1 |
| Wisconsin | 1 |
| India | 1 |
| Taiwan | 1 |
| Vietnam | 1 |
5.When was the last time you took a biology/engineering class?
6. What are the first 3 words that come to mind when you hear Synthetic Biology?
Common Responses: man-made, fake, biology, confusing, complicated, medicine, genetics/genes/genetically modified organisms, bacteria, controversial, engineering, crops
Some of our favorites: nerd, awesome, boring, cyborg, “pretty goddamn cool”
We also noted that many people responded along the lines of “what is that?” so it is evident that a subset of our sample population didn't have a background on synthetic biology itself.
For full list of survey answers to this question click here
7. Are you aware of the human genome project?
8. What are your thoughts on artificial nature/intelligence? If the government asked for your support in this area, would you give it?
It seemed like many people would support research in artificial nature and intelligence, however, with reservation. Most support was contingent on regulation, ethical boundaries, and safety. It was also good to see that those who didn't have the proper background knowledge stated so and that they could not make an educated opinion without this information.
Some of our favorites: "Yes, its awesome. It has so many possibilities". "AI will take over the world!!! I would ask the government for bionic arms".
For full list of survey answers to this question click here
9. Can you name any ways synthetic biology or genetic engineering has affected your life?
For full list of survey answers to this question click here
Common Responses: Many people mentioned genetically engineered crops and the production of drugs. Gene therapy was also a relatively frequent response.
10. What kind of science and/or synthetic biology do you see in pop culture (music, movies, tv etc.)?
Common Responses: The majority mentioned the movie GATTACA. Other common answers included Jurassic Park, I-Robot, and E.T.
For full list of survey answers to this question click here
11. What kind of things do you see in the future for science and/or synthetic biology?
Common Responses: Curing diseases, creating pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, remedy of physical handicaps, and increasing life expectancy.
For full list of survey answers to this question click here
12. Any other comments?
For full list of survey answers to this question click here
Part Two: Public Outreach
As the second part of our bioethics project, we participated in a number of public events to inform the general public about iGEM and synthetic biology. The results of our survey were useful to help us gauge our audience’s preconceived notions of synthetic biology. For example, from the results of the survey we realized that the public is exposed to a myriad of inaccurate representations of synthetic biology. We were able to counter these views and introduce a more accurate picture of the field during our interactions with the Champaign-Urbana community. Listed below are each of our public outreach events as well as upcoming and planned events.
Outreach Events:
Engineering Open House:
The College of Engineering at University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana puts on an annual Open House to allow the public and prospective students to get a glimpse of the college’s diverse programs and clubs. We set up a table with information on iGEM and synthetic biology as well as team project posters from previous years. Our display also included bacteria expressing genes for banana smell in addition to plates of bacteria displaying Cambridge’s E. Chromi biobricks from the 2009 competition. Overall, we had a great time discussing synthetic biology and iGEM with prospective students and members of the community.
Biology Open House:
Every year two clubs on the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana campus, L.I.G.A.S.E. (The Molecular and Cellular Biology Club) and The Illinois Biological Society, put together a Biology Open House. Attracting families and students alike, The open house consists generally of two parts geared towards different age groups. The first section is geared towards elementary school aged children and serves to get kids excited about science with activities like extracting DNA from strawberries. The second section is directed more towards older kids and adults and consists mostly of booths presenting more complex biology topics. For example, a past booth discussed genetic engineering how it affects daily life. As part of the latter section, We put together a poster with information on iGEM and synthetic biology. We also displayed plates of bacteria expressing Cambridge's E. Chromi biobricks in addition to cultures of bacteria expressing genes for banana smell.
Science Olympiad National Tournament:
We had the opportunity to set up a display at the Majors Fair during the Science Olympiad National Tournament held on the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana campus May 21st. This provided us with the perfect opportunity to inform high school and middle school Science Olympiad team members and their families about synthetic biology and iGEM. It was exciting to generate interest amongst these young students and possible future iGEM participants!
G.A.M.E.S. (Girls Adventures in Math Engineering and Science) Camp:
During late July and early August we presented at G.A.M.E.S camp to high school and middle school girls interested in science, math and engineering. We put together a presentation available here with a basic introduction to synthetic biology and its applications as well as some information on iGEM. The presentation concluded with a paper plasmid lab ([http://www.horton.ednet.ns.ca/staff/jfuller/selig/labs/bio12ap_adv/eBioPaperPlasmid.pdf available here]) to reinforce the value of recombinant DNA technology. It was rewarding to see the girls develop an interest in and understanding of synthetic biology.
For more information on G.A.M.E.S. camp, check out their website
iGEM Dots (A.K.A. Dippin'Dots) Sales:
As a fundraiser, we made our own version of Dippin’Dots and sold them on the university quad. This provided an excellent opportunity to inform the campus community about our team and synthetic biology.
Quad Day
The University of Illinois hosts an annual Quad Day which allows many of the University's registered student organizations to set up tables for information distribution and recruitment. We took advantage of this opportunity to put together a booth with background on synthetic biology and iGEM. This allowed us to generate interest in synthetic biology amongst many members of the campus community.
Upcoming Events:
Surrounded by Science: Parkland College TV program
Events in Planning Stage:
Parkland College Seminar:
Orpheum Children's Science Museum:
