Designer Babies? Teacher views on gene technology and human medicine

Abstract

The application of gene technology to human medicine is an important area of science. It provides the potential, in the classroom, for students to explore the interactions between science and the community. The views of a sample of primary and high school teachers on this important area are summarized. In general, high school teachers are more positive about these developments than primary teachers; both groups of teachers are also more positive than interested lay publics. The ways in which this area can be explored with students is highlighted.