Introduction

by Dr Laurence Smaje, programme director at the Wellcome Trust

I am delighted to introduce this educational pack Genes and you which has been written by Gill Mullinar on behalf of the Genetic Interest Group and sponsored by the Wellcome Trust. Targeted at Key Stage 4 students, it is just what is needed to bridge the gap between 'science' on the one hand and 'society' on the other .

The divide is, of course, artificial and nonsense. Science is as much a part of society as is literature or the arts, but traditionally they become separated in our educational system and the division is perpetuated by the media. Because of this, teachers may find it difficult to handle the social issues arising from advances in medicine. Moreover, we know from our research, that students find it difficult to relate to their own lives what they learn about genetics in formal courses.

Why does this matter? Genetic conditions are rare, aren't they? Well no. Defects in single genes are known to result in more than 4000 human disorders and we also now know that there is a genetic component to many complex disorders such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease as well as a number of behavioural disorders such as schizophrenia. Current research in genetics is revealing more and more about aspects of our lives that have a genetic component. The current challenge is to work out the relationship between the interactions of our genetic makeup and the physical and psychological environment which, together, make us what we are.

Genes and you provides an excellent solution to this dilemma by providing challenging ways of incorporating scientific information into social situations of relevance to school students. Teachers' notes complement the student activity sheets in a series of real-life scenarios which challenge common stereotypical social attitudes by providing background social information as well as a clearer understanding of the science.

The exploration is handled imaginatively and sensitively through roleplay and other exercises. The pack is also an excellent way to help young people acquire the intellectual and emotional understanding necessary to deal with the challenges arising out of advances in modern genetics research.

The way we use science has to be determined by society as a whole, not by scientists, doctors or politicians alone. I commend this programme as an original contribution to equipping students to contribute to the informed debate that is essential if we are to find effective ways of balancing the benefits of such research against its costs.

By Alastair Kent, Director of the Genetic Interest Group

The Genetic Interest Group (GIG) is the UK alliance of charities, voluntary agencies and support groups for individuals and families affected by genetic disorders. Bringing together our 130 such independent bodies, GIG seeks to establish the issues of common concern to its member groups, to promote awareness of the impact that genetic disorders have on those affected, and to advocate for the speedy and effective transfer for scientific advance into real benefits for individuals, families and society. GIG also strives to combat unfair discrimination arising from the misuse of genetic information.

Historically, genetic disorders have been seen as rare events, individual tragedies happening out of the blue. Science tells us that we are all carriers of a small number of rare, recessive disorders, and that within our genotype there may be mutations which significantly affect our chances of developing common diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes or Alzheimer's disease.

This being so, understanding the basic biology of genetics and its personal, social and medical consequences is important for each and every one of us - so we can understand our situation and make informed choices about our own future, and appreciate the circumstances which may affect those around us in the community. It is to further this objective that this pack has been developed.

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