How Can Epigenetics be Used to Integrate Nature and Nurture in Genetics Education?

Gericke, Niklas

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-86051-6_2

Cited by 5 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…3 As can be seen from Tables 4 and 5, the response patterns were similar between the educational experts and the panel as a whole, indicating the consistency of the results between the expert groups. 4 See for example: Aivelo and Uitto (2015); Bass et al (2016); Carver et al (2017); Clément and Castéra (2014); Dougherty (2009); Gericke (2021); Lewis (2014); Redfield (2012); Smith (2014); Stern and Kampourakis (2017); Zudaire and Fraile (2021).…”

Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To accomplish this goal, it is essential that epigenetics be implemented in school education. This suggestion has recently gained support elsewhere in science education (Gericke, 2021;Kang et al, 2019;Zudaire & Fraile, 2021). Today, epigenetics is not included in the biology curriculum in most countries (Zudaire & Fraile, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As shown in the preceding section, epigenetics is important for personal health (the utilitarian argument), and the economic argument is growing in importance as shown by its impact in academic and professional contexts. The cultural argument is essential regarding, for example, the changed notion of nature–nurture relationships that conceptually expands genetic knowledge (Gericke, 2021). The democratic argument for epigenetic literacy is also increasing in significance as insurance companies, for example, are already considering including the impact of epigenetic profiles in their assessment of insurance takers (Fündling, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aside from these few empirical studies, epigenetics has been theoretically suggested as an important aspect of genetics education by scholars of genetic education research (e.g., Aivelo & Uitto, 2015; Clément & Castéra, 2014; Gericke, 2021; Gericke & Smith, 2014; Smith, 2014; Stern & Kampourakis, 2017). Moreover, an updated genetics curriculum that includes epigenetics has been frequently called for, and repeatedly suggested, in more teacher‐oriented publications (e.g., Billingsley & Carlson, 2010; Colón‐Berlingeri, 2010; Stansfield, 2011; Stein & Lee Davis, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 4 See for example: Aivelo and Uitto (2015); Bass et al (2016); Carver et al (2017); Clément and Castéra (2014); Dougherty (2009); Gericke (2021); Lewis (2014); Redfield (2012); Smith (2014); Stern and Kampourakis (2017); Zudaire and Fraile (2021). …”

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Defining epigenetic literacy: How to integrate epigenetics into the biology curriculum

Gericke

Ewen

2023

J Res Sci Teach

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The aim of this study is to define epigenetic literacy and describe how it can be included in school biology. Epigenetics is a new field of research in biology with abundant societal consequences and conceptual implications on how genetics is understood. Epigenetics explains how genes are regulated, thereby clarifying cell differentiation, and providing an understanding of how the environment interacts with genes. Students are bound to encounter epigenetic knowledge and applications related to issues such as health, food, and exercise in the media and their everyday lives. Consequently, there is a need to develop epigenetic literacy. Nevertheless, epigenetics is missing in biology curricula and is almost unknown among teachers and students. Research on epigenetics in science education is scarce, and we do not know what and how to teach. Therefore, we conducted a policy Delphi study with a panel of experts to define an epigenetic literacy framework for teaching in secondary education in relation to Robert's Vision I and Vision II perspectives on epigenetic literacy. Participants were 41 recognized international experts representing 11 countries and five areas of expertise. The experts suggested that epigenetics should be introduced in the lower secondary genetics course (students aged 13–15 years), but also addressed in other relevant areas of biology. The study generated six content themes: epigenetics as a metaphor; epigenetics connecting nature with nurture; epigenetics as a dynamic process; epigenetic mechanisms; epigenetics and inheritance; and epigenetics and nature of science, and five sociocultural themes for contextualization: epigenetics and lifestyle; epigenetics and diseases; epigenetics and ethics; epigenetics and policies; and epigenetics and forensics. Taken together, these themes constitute the epigenetic literacy framework. Further, we uncover divergent meanings in the expert panel—as is typical of policy Delphi studies—and connect the framework to genetic literacy and learning progressions in genetics education.

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Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Defining epigenetic literacy: How to integrate epigenetics into the biology curriculum

Gericke

Ewen

2023

J Res Sci Teach

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Exposing the hazards of teaching 19th century genetic science

McCartney

2023

J Res Sci Teach

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Science should provide students an accurate and contemporary education on genetic influence, particularly how it impacts trait variability and developmental norms. Stories involving familial, racial, and sexual differences routinely appear in the popular media and sales of over‐the‐counter genetic tests are mounting. Unfortunately, research suggests genetic curricula in secondary education and university courses have little impact on genetic literacy; instead they appear to amplify genetic essentialism. This position paper reports on genetic essentialism, the impact of three components of science education (teachers, students, curriculum), and critiques existing genetic lessons in two prevalent scientific disciplines, biology and psychology. Two entrenched 19th century genetic paradigms (e.g., Mendelian inheritance and behavioral genetics) are specifically examined. The paper closes with specific recommendations for improving students' genetic literacy including important contemporary genetic science (e.g., epigenetics) and instructional approaches (e.g., learning progression, refutational teaching).

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Investigating students’ meaning-making of multiple visual representations of epigenetics at different levels of biological organisation

Thyberg,

Schönborn,

Gericke

2024

International Journal of Science Education

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How Can Epigenetics be Used to Integrate Nature and Nurture in Genetics Education?

Cited by 5 publications

References 46 publications

Defining epigenetic literacy: How to integrate epigenetics into the biology curriculum

Defining epigenetic literacy: How to integrate epigenetics into the biology curriculum

Exposing the hazards of teaching 19th century genetic science

Investigating students’ meaning-making of multiple visual representations of epigenetics at different levels of biological organisation

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