Making Genetics Easy to Understand

The Human Genome Project and the subsequent explosion of genomic information are transforming our knowledge of how organisms function and how genes and the environment interact. These insights have led to advances in personalized medicine, stem cell treatments, and genetic testing. Students, teachers, and the public must be prepared to make informed decisions about participation in genomics research, genome-related health care, use of genetically modified agricultural products, and public funding for stem cell research. Education has been identified as a crosscutting element that is critical to achieving the potential of genomics research (1).