Genetics, Ethics and Education: (Current Perspectives in Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Advances in human genetics and genomics are beginning to move outside the traditional realm of medicine and into the classroom. How will educational officials react when asked to incorporate personalized genomic information into the educational program? This volume bridges the divide between science, education and ethics around the emergent integration of genomics and education. By pairing comprehensive analysis of the issues with primers on the underlying science, the authors put all relevant parties on a level field to facilitate thorough consideration and educated discussion regarding how to move forward in this new era, as well as how best to support the future of education and the future of all students. The volume is unique in bringing together not only scholarly experts but also parents and laypersons. In doing so, it gives voice and understanding to a broad spectrum of disciplines that have a stake in the future of education.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Susan Bouregy, Elena L. Grigorenko, Mei Tan and Stephen R. Latham; 1. What is heritability and why does it matter? Mei Tan; 2. Molecular genetics and genomics Sergey Kornilov; 3. Can (and should) we personalize education along genetic lines? Lessons from Behavioral Genetics Kathryn Asbury, Kaili Rimfeld and Eva Krapohl; 4. Early adversity and epigenetics: implications for early care and educational policy Katherine Beckmann and Kieran O'Donnell; 5. Intelligence: the ongoing quest for its etiology Elena L. Grigorenko and Samuel D. Mandelman; 6. A behavioral genetic perspective on noncognitive factors and academic achievement Elliot M. Tucker-Drob and K. Paige Harden; 7. Precision education initiative: the possibility of personalized education Callie Little, Connie Barroso and Sara A. Hart; 8. Using genetic etiology to intervene with students with intellectual disabilities Robert M. Hodapp and Marisa H. Fisher; 9. Ethical implications of behavioral genetics on education Victoria J. Schenker and Stephen A. Petrill; 10. Genomic literacy and the communication of genetic and genomic information Kimberly A. Kaphingst; 11. Legal issues associated with the introduction of genetic testing to the education system David Peloquin and Mark Barns; 12. Ethical risks and remedies in social behavioral research involving genetic testing Celia B. Fisher; 13. Development of the personal genomics industry Jorge L. Contreras and Vikrant G. Deshmukh; 14. Ethical issues in using genomics to influence educational practice Susan Bourgey and Krista Bouregy; 15. Teaching and genetic/genomic variation: an educator's perspective Judi Randi; 16. Will the next Einstein get left in the petri dish? Be careful what you wish for in the designer baby era Carolyn D. Cowen; Conclusion Stephen R. Latham.

About the Author :
Susan Bouregy served for thirteen years as the Director of the Yale University Human Subjects Committee and currently serves as Chief HIPAA Privacy Officer at Yale University, Connecticut. Elena L. Grigorenko is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director of the Human Genetics Lab at the University of Houston, and is also affiliated with the Baylor College of Medicine, Yale University, Connecticut, and Moscow State University for Psychology and Education and St Petersburg State University. Stephen R. Latham is the Director of Yale University's Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, and faculty chair of its Human Subjects Committee. Mei Tan is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Psychology and Texas Institute of Measurement, Evaluation and Statistics at the University of Houston.

Review :
'The price of genome sequencing has dropped from an initial $2.7 billion to $1,000 today. Stand-alone cancer centers now advertise treatments tailored to one's own genome, without providing evidence of their enhanced effectiveness. Educational applications are not far behind, despite profound ethical issues having been largely neglected. Genetics, Ethics, and Education represents a timely, insightful, and comprehensive analysis of critical questions and issues surrounding genetically-informed educational practice.' Rick Wagner, Florida State University 'This book provides clear summaries of major developments in genetics and neuroscience research and their implications for education and child development. It is especially useful for practitioners who want a clear, jargon-free, and appropriately conservative set of guidelines for understanding how to translate this research into areas involving enhanced development of the child.' Jack Fletcher, University of Houston 'Genetics, Ethics and Education is perfectly timed to ride the wave of the DNA revolution as it hits education. Now is the time for educators to learn about genetics and genomics – and this is the book to read all about it!' Robert Plomin, King's College London 'What did genetics ever do for educators and their students? Historically, widespread misconceptions and misunderstandings have probably often resulted in more harm than good. However, rapid advances in the field now offer much promise (and some potential pitfalls) for future educational practice. This encyclopedic text is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the promise of genetics for education, the possible policy implications, and the ethical and moral dilemmas that may result.' Julian Elliott, Durham University 'This is a helpful and interesting book that explores important issues at the interface between genetics and society. It should be useful to anyone interested in genetics and genomics, and not only to their relation to education.' Kostas Kampourakis, The Quarterly Review of Biology