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Team:Waterloo/Human Practices
From 2009.igem.org
Contents |
Human Practices
The world now stands in an exciting position; in labs all over the world scientists work tirelessly to master the precise workings of cellular machinery, the genetic code, and intricate protein structures. Applications for products facilitated by the development of new technologies become more obvious and more essential each day. Many of the problems we face in the world- hunger, pollution, and disease, all necessitate the development of these groundbreaking technologies. Science, and in particular biology, has advanced to a key, critical stage, which promises to deliver exciting, life changing, and even paradigm shifting advances.
Well… at least that’s what we think.
As budding synthetic biologists and students of science, the development of a new, game changing technology is something that excites and intrigues us. However, not everyone feels the same way. Much of the world young or old, educated or uneducated, simply don’t get the same thrill from science.
Our goal is to educate and excite people about synthetic biology such that our contributions will encourage the development of a society that is scientifically well informed.
Outreach
Outreach & Synthetic Biology
The newness of synthetic biology means that much of the population is not even aware that it exists (see Awareness & Attitudes Study). Therefore, an important aspect of our outreach efforts is to introduce the topic of synthetic biology and present its current position and the promise that it holds. We also hope to give people the foundational information that they need in order to understand future scientific developments. This form of outreach will help to improve the scientific literacy of the general population.
Another emerging issue is that of misconceptions and fallacies. In the development of synthetic biology, as with many new technologies, there is still much to learn and discover. As a result, the information made available to the public is often not a comprehensive, accurate picture of synthetic biology. This means that the information disseminated to stakeholders is not always enough to prevent them from forming misinformed opinions and thus cedes misconceptions and fallacies.
For more information about the need for outreach check out:
- Awareness & Attitudes Study
The Events
- ESQ Partnership
- Campus Day
- CACUSS
- Biology Reunion
- Student Life 101
