| Title: |
Exploring Genetic Engineering through a Deliberation in Biochemistry |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Sara A. Mehltretter; Walter R. P. Novak (ORCID 0000-0002-1311-5953); Cole Bergman; Benjamin Nathan Felix; Chris Anderson; Laura M. Wysocki (ORCID 0000-0002-7190-3499) |
| Source: |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 2026 54(1):85-91. |
| Availability: |
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
7 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
National Science Foundation (NSF) |
| Contract Number: |
2012931 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Genetics; Engineering; Biochemistry; Science Process Skills; Discussion; Perspective Taking; Disease Control; Cooperative Learning; Synthesis |
| Geographic Terms: |
Massachusetts |
| DOI: |
10.1002/bmb.70022 |
| ISSN: |
1470-8175; 1539-3429 |
| Abstract: |
Well-trained scientists work collaboratively with people of various expertise, balancing their technical knowledge with many other factors when addressing complex problems. However, biochemistry courses are under pressure to cover a wide range of content and traditional pedagogy and may not address the development of this important skill. Deliberation, which is a facilitated conversation that encourages the consideration of different perspectives and approaches to complex societal issues, is one opportunity to engage students in applying their fundamental knowledge together with their lived experience. Here, we apply a polarity mapping model of deliberation to the question of releasing genetically modified mice to control tick-borne Lyme disease in Nantucket. Participants considered the tension between ecological preservation and genetic innovation in this case. Inductive thematic analysis of student responses to open-ended questions after the deliberation highlight positive learning outcomes along three key themes: collaboration, synthesis of ideas and information, and understanding of trade-offs and tensions. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1496179 |
| Database: |
ERIC |