The practical and intellectual contributions of genetic technology (g.t.) range from genetic screening to improved understanding of the immune response. The ethical and regulatory implications have raised considerable debate, and there is strong consensus among scientists, educators, industry representatives, specialists in bioethics, and policymakers that public education is necessary for effective participation in debates that will confront U.S. citizens about the use of g.t. Unfortunately, sound information about the subject has made its way into the high school biology classroom only haphazardly. There is little attention to the basic biological mechanisms involved or to improved understanding of biological concepts that result from research in g.t., nor is there much reasoned analysis of the ethical and legal implications. BSCS, will design, develop, field test, and prepare for commercial distribution a four-week module in g.t. for use in the general high school biology curriculum. The module will be planned and written by experts in medical and agricultural genetics, bioethics, and high school biology teaching. The module will be field tested across the U.S. with a minimum of 600 students.
