Human Gene Therapy: Proceed with Caution

Human Gene Therapy: Proceed with Caution is a Natural Science class taught by Lynn Miller.

Course Description
This seminar should be useful and provocative to all students thinking about careers in health related fields. In the past twenty years, an explosion of techniques in molecular biology has led to the promise of curing human genetic disease by gene transplantation. We will examine this promise and the risks in this technology, first by reading DNA Promise and Peril by L. L. McCabe & E. R. B. McCabe and The Misunderstood Gene by Michel Morange and second by learning to read the original literature in this field. All students are expected to write three essays from the original literature and to lead one class. During the seminar we will spend time thinking and working on the skills needed for successful college-level work: reading, study habits, seminar skills, and writing. Each student must come to every seminar prepared to ask questions and to discuss the readings. Each student must meet with Lynn on a regular basis to discuss their reading for their essays. The draft essays must be turned before the deadlines listed on the Schedule. Each student must prepare and give at least one oral presentation with an information rich handout. Although not a requirement, I hope that students will collaborate in small groups on their research and writing. Collaborative work is expected throughout.

Learning Goals

 * Project-based
 * Presenting
 * Quantitative
 * Reading
 * Writing