The CRISPR-based technology has become a hotly discussed topic in the science community due to its vast potential to make previously impossible feats possible. These includes the creating “designer babies”, curing of existing genetic diseases and improving genetic traits in living organisms, especially in the agriculture sector. However, serious questions remain on whether such DNA editing methods are ethical, specific and safe. This calls for an urgent need to examine the public perceptions, misconceptions and fears towards genome engineering technology.
Early this year, we carried out a survey in Singapore with the aim to understand the perceptions of the public regarding genetic engineering and some of their misconceptions. The objective of our survey is to gain data in order to develop appropriate tools and future education plans to improve the public’s understanding towards genetic engineering.
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Then, we collated opinions from scientists and bio-ethicists and consulted board-members from our local bioethics regulator, Bioethics Advisory Committee on the potential use of genome editing for a variety of applications and what the technology can do or cannot do. After hearing from the public, we transmitted some of their voices/concerns to the professionals. We aim to facilitate the communication of genome editing between the science experts and the general public using our sets of video. The experts were posed a series of questions regarding the science of genome editing and its potential ethical issues. Their valuable input were then channelled into the development of #CasTalks, an online media channel to educate the public about misconceptions of genome editing. | Then, we collated opinions from scientists and bio-ethicists and consulted board-members from our local bioethics regulator, Bioethics Advisory Committee on the potential use of genome editing for a variety of applications and what the technology can do or cannot do. After hearing from the public, we transmitted some of their voices/concerns to the professionals. We aim to facilitate the communication of genome editing between the science experts and the general public using our sets of video. The experts were posed a series of questions regarding the science of genome editing and its potential ethical issues. Their valuable input were then channelled into the development of #CasTalks, an online media channel to educate the public about misconceptions of genome editing. | ||
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| + | 1) Survey: Misconceptions & Opinions on Genome Manipulation Technology | ||
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| + | The CRISPR-based technology has become a hotly discussed topic in the science community due to its vast potential to make previously impossible feats possible. These includes the creating “designer babies”, curing of existing genetic diseases and improving genetic traits in living organisms, especially in the agriculture sector. However, serious questions remain on whether such DNA editing methods are ethical, specific and safe. This calls for an urgent need to examine the public perceptions, misconceptions and fears towards genome engineering technology. <br><br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Early this year, we carried out a survey in Singapore with the aim to understand the perceptions of the public regarding genetic engineering and some of their misconceptions. The objective of our survey is to gain data in order to develop appropriate tools and future education plans to improve the public’s understanding towards genetic engineering. | ||
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| + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/c/c5/T--NUS_Singapore-Sci--casask_2.png" style="height:80%; width:80%;"> | ||
| + | </figure> | ||
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| + | Demographics | ||
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| + | We surveyed participants aged 18 and above. From a total of 366 respondents, majority of our participants (59.6%) fall in the range of 18-24 years old, followed by 25-34 years olds (18.3%), 35-44 years old (10.7%), 45-54 years old (7.9%) and above 55 years olds (3.6%). | ||
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| + | Misconceptions about Genome Manipulation Technology | ||
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| + | <div class="text"> | ||
| + | A basic survey to identify common misconceptions about genome editing among the general public in Singapore was performed. We asked a series of 10 true or false questions, to identify if our respondents know the validity of these statements. All questions relate to the topic of genes, genome editing and gene therapy. We then rank the misconceptions and will debunk the <strong>top 6</strong> in this post. <br><br> | ||
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| + | Following the analysis of the survey responses, we then spoke to a number of experts and researchers working in the field of genome editing on their views of using the CRISPR-Cas9 editing system. We also consulted scientists to obtain a professional view on how to debunk such misconceptions. Videos on <a href="https://2018.igem.org/Team:NUS_Singapore-Sci/Cas_Talks" style="text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;">#CasTalks</a> were made as a tool to communicated misconceptions and break down complex Science theories into relatable concepts. These media will aid the correction of misconceptions and thus give the public a better idea of what gene editing is. | ||
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Revision as of 22:11, 16 October 2018
CasAsks
In #CasAsks, we aim to set the groundwork for our project by collating perceptions and misconceptions from the various stakeholders, such as the general public of Singapore and experts in the scientific field. Such insights were crucial in shaping the direction of our project this year, where we decided to focus on RNA editing since it has potentially lesser ethical concerns compared to “permanent edits” in DNA.
We took a bottom-up approach in our survey process, starting from collecting survey data from individuals of different walks of life about genetic engineering. There is a need for the public to understand the implications of genome editing as they will be the eventual consumers of the technology. From our survey analysis, we surfaced knowledge gaps, uncovered misconceptions and had a better understanding of the public’s degree of acceptance towards genome editing techniques.
Then, we collated opinions from scientists and bio-ethicists and consulted board-members from our local bioethics regulator, Bioethics Advisory Committee on the potential use of genome editing for a variety of applications and what the technology can do or cannot do. After hearing from the public, we transmitted some of their voices/concerns to the professionals. We aim to facilitate the communication of genome editing between the science experts and the general public using our sets of video. The experts were posed a series of questions regarding the science of genome editing and its potential ethical issues. Their valuable input were then channelled into the development of #CasTalks, an online media channel to educate the public about misconceptions of genome editing.
We took a bottom-up approach in our survey process, starting from collecting survey data from individuals of different walks of life about genetic engineering. There is a need for the public to understand the implications of genome editing as they will be the eventual consumers of the technology. From our survey analysis, we surfaced knowledge gaps, uncovered misconceptions and had a better understanding of the public’s degree of acceptance towards genome editing techniques.
Then, we collated opinions from scientists and bio-ethicists and consulted board-members from our local bioethics regulator, Bioethics Advisory Committee on the potential use of genome editing for a variety of applications and what the technology can do or cannot do. After hearing from the public, we transmitted some of their voices/concerns to the professionals. We aim to facilitate the communication of genome editing between the science experts and the general public using our sets of video. The experts were posed a series of questions regarding the science of genome editing and its potential ethical issues. Their valuable input were then channelled into the development of #CasTalks, an online media channel to educate the public about misconceptions of genome editing.
1) Survey: Misconceptions & Opinions on Genome Manipulation Technology
Demographics
We surveyed participants aged 18 and above. From a total of 366 respondents, majority of our participants (59.6%) fall in the range of 18-24 years old, followed by 25-34 years olds (18.3%), 35-44 years old (10.7%), 45-54 years old (7.9%) and above 55 years olds (3.6%).
Misconceptions about Genome Manipulation Technology
A basic survey to identify common misconceptions about genome editing among the general public in Singapore was performed. We asked a series of 10 true or false questions, to identify if our respondents know the validity of these statements. All questions relate to the topic of genes, genome editing and gene therapy. We then rank the misconceptions and will debunk the top 6 in this post.
Following the analysis of the survey responses, we then spoke to a number of experts and researchers working in the field of genome editing on their views of using the CRISPR-Cas9 editing system. We also consulted scientists to obtain a professional view on how to debunk such misconceptions. Videos on #CasTalks were made as a tool to communicated misconceptions and break down complex Science theories into relatable concepts. These media will aid the correction of misconceptions and thus give the public a better idea of what gene editing is.
Following the analysis of the survey responses, we then spoke to a number of experts and researchers working in the field of genome editing on their views of using the CRISPR-Cas9 editing system. We also consulted scientists to obtain a professional view on how to debunk such misconceptions. Videos on #CasTalks were made as a tool to communicated misconceptions and break down complex Science theories into relatable concepts. These media will aid the correction of misconceptions and thus give the public a better idea of what gene editing is.