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The history of genetics is inextricably entwined with the development of scientific racism, and the birth of eugenics - a political ideology which abused genetics to justify the restriction of reproductive freedoms and lives of marginalised groups around the world. The genetics departments at ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûover the years have had uniquely robust ties with eugenics, having been a leading centre for its development in the early 20th century. In this module we will critically explore the histories of biology and genetics, and the development of how new scientific ideas were adopted into political ideologies. We will look at how basic principles of genetics emerged out of eugenics organisations, and how these were utilised in enacted policies, notably in the USA and in Nazi Germany. We will also explore the ethics, public understanding, perception and communication of genetics in the past, and today in light of the Human Genome Project, reproductive technologies, Direct-to-Consumer genetics, gene editing, and in popular culture.

Lecture/topic list:

Topics will include:

• A history of evolutionary thought: Early conceptions of biological inheritance in humans and evolutionary models for nature, from Aristotle’s Animalia, to Cell Theory, Natural Selection, Mendel and the Modern Synthesis.
• The birth and evolution of scientific racism: the construction of biological race and taxonomy in the 18th century; the dismantling of race essentialism with contemporary genomics.
• The legacy of scientific racism in contemporary culture, science and medicine: the legacy of scientific racism and racial essentialism in society, culture, and science.
• The history and legacy of eugenics: the emergence and history of the eugenics movement, in Britain, the USA and in Germany; the evolution of eugenics organisations into human genetics labs; the development of reproductive technologies, e.g. embryo selection for polygenic traits, selective medical abortions.
• Public understanding of genetics: the impact of teaching Mendelian models as a starting place for learning genetics; the impact of the Human Genome Project; the role of Direct-to-consumer genetics kits in public perception of genetics and genetic technologies.
• Genetics in the media: representations of genetics in the mainstream press and in popular culture, including cinema, TV, comics and books.
• Genetic engineering: Moral, ethical and legal (copyright and patent) frameworks that emerged alongside the advent of transgenics; gain of function mutations in viral genomics research.

Learning Aims and Objectives:

• To critically read primary historical and contemporary literature on genetics, evolution and related subjects.
• To understand the cultural context in which new research is and has been generated, and the relationship that novel scientific research has with existing or developing political and cultural systems
• To demonstrate a high level of understanding of contemporary genetics research, whilst also considering the ethical and political issues that it potentially raises
• Consider the way in which novel genetics research is communicated, and how various publics understand key ideas and techniques in genetics.