Curing Genetic Diseases and Bacterial Infections Discussion – Description
A) https://www.ted.com/talks/david_r_liu_can_we_cure_genetic_diseases_by_rewriting_dna
After watching Dr. David Liu’s TED Talk about curing genetic diseases by rewriting DNA, please thoughtfully discuss the following questions with your peers. For your initial post, please pick and respond to one of the questions. Be sure to use the correct formatting described in the guidelines and instructions when answering the discussion boards.
What questions do you have about this TED talk for the presenter? What led you to these questions and/or why do you think they are important to ask?
We learned this week about the evolution of genomes. Here, Dr. Liu presents his lab’s work that required the evolution of a protein in the lab and fixes point mutations acquired over time. If you were updating your cell biology textbook, what would you write to describe this advancement? Your peers can reply to your response with questions about your explanation or suggestions for additions or substantive edits to your textbook update.
During the talk, Dr. Liu mentions that his lab’s tools have been distributed to over 1,000 research labs planning to target particular diseases or genes. Dr. Liu’s initial work was in an academic research setting and these tools are being freely distributed to others. Since then, he has started private companies focusing on medical and agricultural applications of the technology. Describe the pros and cons of this work originating in an academic research setting rather than within a private company.
If you or one of your family members were going to undergo treatment using this approach, what concerns would you want addressed or what testing would you want completed prior to your use?
Dr. Liu mentions that before this technology is fully utilized, there needs to be discussion of policy and ethics of its use. If you were asked to sit on a panel tasked with vetting this technology, what questions or topics would you add to the agenda for the panel to consider.
B)
Watch Steffanie Strathdee’s TED talk, and then participate in discussion board with your peers. In order to stimulate a good discussion, please reflect on the following questions.
Ice Breaker: Based on your experience in this online course so far, what has been an aspect of microbiology that you have found most interesting?
Ice breaker: Help others in your group get to know you a little better. Share an interesting fact or event about you!
What did you find most interesting about this talk?
Considering the global crisis of antibiotic resistant superbugs, do you think the FDA should expedite the approval of phage therapy?
What lessons have we learned from antibiotic therapy that should guide us through the use of phage therapy?
What downsides to this type of therapy do you envision?
Did this talk leave you with any unanswered questions?
Would you be willing to sign a waiver allowing experimental therapy on a loved one?
The post Curing Genetic Diseases and Bacterial Infections Discussion first appeared on .
