Genetics 101: The ABCs of DNA

Did you know you are 50% genetically similar to a banana? All living organisms from the simplest bacteria to more complex organisms like humans use the same genetic material to pass on their traits – DNA. DNA is the molecule of life. But what exactly is DNA and how does it make you, you and a fly a fly? In this course you will learn the basics of DNA and heredity, and then dive deeper to understand how DNA is used to create a fully functional organism. We will also explore new technologies in DNA editing that are making our hopes of changing disease-causing mutations in DNA a reality. We will discuss the science behind these techniques and then discuss some of the ethical and moral issues they raise. Finally, we will investigate the ethics and laws surrounding genetics such as do you own your own genes, who is allowed to have access to your genetic code, and what are your legal rights concerning your genetics? Our learning in the classroom will be supplemented by many activities in the lab. We will learn about and use many biotech tools and molecular genetic techniques. Activities will include extracting DNA from strawberries, genetically modifying bacteria, and investigating your own genetics to name a few!