Genomics & Society Game

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12,

60-120 mins

For the Social Science, Philosophy, Careers or Science classrooms!

We all live in a world where our experiences shape our opinions. How will your students work through issues together while juggling the persona of their avatar? Will your class decide to eradicate mosquitoes? Ban DNA databases? Is there only one answer? Let’s find out!

The Genomics and Society Role Playing Game includes facilitation from one of Geneskool’s volunteers either remotely or in person. This workshop can be done on a wide variety of topics. Watch the videos below for each topic.

Make dairy without cows

Could we make milk without cows? Learn about cellular dairy and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Zsofia Mendly-Zambo at the University of Fraser Valley's Food and Agricultural Institute.
Grow disease-resistant crops

w can we make stronger crops? Learn about GMO Agriculture and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Andreas Boecker at the University of Guelph.
Diet based on gut microbes

What is the microbiome? Learn about our microbiomes and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Paula Littlejohn at UBC's Finlay Lab.
Prescribe drugs based on genetics

Is there a way we could tell what medications will work for each patient? Learn about pharmacogenomic testing and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Dr. Wan-Chun Chang at the Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Innovation group at the BCCH.
(Re)create more flavourful tomatoes

Could we grow better tomatoes? Learn about GMO tomatoes and their connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Dr. Connie Leung from Genome BC.
Eradicate mosquito-borne diseases

Can we get rid of mosquitos... and should we? Learn about mosquito eradication and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Dr. Jayce Sudweeks at Georgia Southern University.
Breed animals more suited to intensive farming

What are GMO animals, and how does animal welfare change with the use of genetic modifications to animals? Learn about GMO animal welfare and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Erin Ryan from Dan Weary's Lab at UBC.
Screen embryos for debilitating genetic conditions

How do we screen pregnancies for genetic conditions? Learn about placental screening and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Giulia Del Gobbo, a PhD student at the Robinson Lab at BC Children's Hospital.
Allow law enforcement to use DNA to catch criminals

How can genomics help us solve crimes? Learn about genomics in crime and its connection to society, government, industry and science in this video! Also, stay tuned as we talk to Dr. Amy Conroy at Simon Fraser University.