Difference between revisions of "Team:UCL/Human Practices"

 
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<h1> <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Experts"> The experts </a> </h1>
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<p> We have been talking to <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Experts"> researchers </a> that are in the ageing field </p>
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<h1> <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Religion"> Religion, Synthetic Biology and Ageing </a> </h1>
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<p> We have been talking to <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Religion"> religious leaders </a> and religious members of the public to find out what they they think about our project and synthetic biology and to find an answer to whether religion actually acts as a barrier to the development of synthetic biology. </p>
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<h1> <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Public_Engagement"> Public Engagement/General Public </a> </h1>
 
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<p> We also wanted to find out what the <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Public_Engagement"> general public </a> think of our project and synthetic biology. We conducted surveys, went to the streets of London and many more activities in order to get a well rounded view. </p>
 
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<h1> <center> <font size = "2000px" > <font color = "white" > OUR STORY </font> </font> </center> </h1>  
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<h1> <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Education"> Education/Outreach </a> </h1>
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<p> As a response to our survey which showed that more then 3/4 of the sample wished that they had learnt about synthetic biology at school, we wanted to reach out to as many age groups as possible and run several different <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/Human_Practices/Education"> educational</a> workshops </p>
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<h1> Ageing and art </h1>
 
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<p> Sue and Diane art group </p>
 
 
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<h1> Industry </hi>
 
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<h1> Our iGEM blog </h1>
 
  
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<p> We also wanted the general public to know about our project and iGEM so we decided to make a blog highlighting our general experiences as we go along this iGEM journey! We are also working on posting some tips for future GEM teams, based on what we are learning as we go through the process.</p>
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<p> The Blog link: http://ucligem2016.wix.com/ucligem2016 </p>
 
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<h1> Our App </h1>
 
  
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<p> As mobile phones are becoming increasing part of our lives, we thought that developing an app may be a great way to get more people more aware of synthetic biology. We have decided to create a game that works by getting users to create certain biobricks, where the gene of interest will only complete the biobrick if the plasmid backbone is cut with the correct restriction enzymes. We want to make it as user friendly as possible and we are hoping to integrate our project and iGEM into the app as well. </p>
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<h1> Press release </h1>
 
  
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<p> We were able make more people aware of our project by getting our project advertised through the UCL website (Biochemical engineering News section). We are also working on getting the project advertised on the UCL newsletter (myUCL). </p>
 
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<p> Also follow our vlog where we upload fun videos of the team members and vlog throughout our iGEM journey </p>
 
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<h3> <center> We are all stakeholders in ageing hence why Biosynthage has been steeped in controversy since its very inception. However, with controversy come important questions. Some believe that we should not meddle with the human ageing process whereas others believe that we should think of ageing as a disease in order to start treating it. Biosynthage has really enjoyed exploring the depths of many debates which has caused us to constantly stop and reevaluate the next step forward within our project. We are constantly realising that with every new person we speak to, we uncover depths of new perspectives we never knew existed within in our story.</center> </h3>
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<h1> Elderly opinion </h1>
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<p> Tea with the elderly on Saturday 16th July. Chichi was able to attend the tea session where she was able to ask some of the elderly what they thought about our idea and synthetic biology. </p>
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<h3> <center> In the following sections, you can have a glimpse at the decisive factors that drove our project and continue to influence the progress of our novel technologies in the future. Below is a timeline of events and activities that the UCL iGEM team were doing this summer! We have details of each event in our human practices <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/HP/Silver"> silver </a> page! </center> </h3>
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<h3> <center> Click <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:UCL/HP/Silver/Conclusion"> here </a> to find the conclusion of our story so far.  </center> </h3>          <br>           
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<h1> Talk to Dementia patients- Weinberg-Rauhes Haus </h1>
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<p> Since the age of 14 I have been regularly exposed to the beautiful and perilous aspects of growing old and taking care of the elderly. I started out by occasionally helping out in a dementia home in Hamburg with a family friend who works with therapy dogs for the elderly. Then right after graduating high school I worked in Alzheimer’s research at Roche for 9 months and through that I got to meet a lot of people very passionate about this, whilst also getting a good insight into the pharma side of things. </p>
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<p> It has been two years since my work at Roche and I’ve spent my other summers either working in an office or now on iGEM. Although our project is about ageing, I haven’t been thrown into the deep end of dementia research and care for a while. Precisely until I was back at the dementia home in Hamburg this past week, this time with the purpose of getting the opinions of the elderly about our project and their life in general. I got to speak to a few people individually and then also two groups of people, everyone with varying forms of dementia: from very light Alzheimer’s, which you wouldn't be able to tell, to the late stages, which are almost incomprehensible. Overall these experiences were enlightening, inspiring and motivating to do more research and help but simultaneously the potential realities of the future are distressing. </p>
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<p> Over the next few weeks we will be publishing the stories of the people I got to speak to and the impressions and experiences I gained from the group sessions.</p>
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<h1> UCL iGEM x David Kurten (London Assembly)</h1>
 
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<p> We wanted to understand where our project fits in with public policy and are trying to gain a well-rounded view. To do this we met with David Kurten, a UKIP member of the London Assembly. After explaining our project we went onto discuss what priorities the elderly population has, the public perception of GM and the effect of Brexit on science research. Here is what we discovered: </p>
 
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<li> Science is ahead of politicians knowledge, similarly, legislation is slower than the rate of research. There is the potential therefore for research to accelerate without real consideration of the ethics. 

OUR SOLUTION: thoroughly discuss and explore the ethics of our project. </li>
 
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<li> Gene therapy Introducing something unnatural- genetically modifying human DNA. Again, sciences races ahead of legislation. Requires the Government of the day to be behind it for it to become law.

OUR SOLUTION: Talk with an MP about the process of legislation with regards to GM, synthetic biology and science research. </li>
 
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<li> Consent: this is important with regards to who will be affected.

OUR SOLUTION: Talk to lots of people to see if they would like to take a therapy/get in contact with those who already have. </li>
 
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<li> Vested interests: political and green and companies,  research funding bodies.
Knowledge and transparency of information important.

OUR SOLUTION: Present our research with no bias and be transparent with results. </li>
 
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<li> What can we do to change public opinion? 
Existing propaganda has influenced the opinions of the public. There is a need of transparency. e.g. of labelling food. </li>
 
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<li> Semantics of GM vs synthetic biology ‘advancing progressing, doing science’ vs biotechnology, again has positive connotations. </li>
 
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<li> UKIP policy: look into what the science says. Allow research to happen on an objective basis as well as to ensure that large data sets are used. </li>
 
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<li> Loss of faith in scientists due to medias portrayal - faking data news story. Suggested that raw data directly to public to let them make own decisions. (we are aware this is ridiculous).
There is a need however for communicating the information without a bias. Media- sensationalism sells. Deeper level of understanding is needed. Currently a dumbing down of culture rather than this uplifting of culture. </li> 
 
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<li> On Brexit. 20 billion to EU, 10 billion back, net fee of around 10 billion. A lot of EU funding is British money. Not going to effect the UK for funding (just missing out). Collaboration will continue- not dependent on EU dependent upon innovators and scientists regardless of EU. People that are involved. Long term- cutting out a layer of bureucracy- more efficient and less </li>
 
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<li> Medical without ethics, looks great. Changed DNA structure - lots of discussion is needed. Is this natural or not. Personal view- cautious, case by case basis. Not a fan of changing DNA, it’s evolved over time to how it is now. Short term benefits- what about the long term implications- they are unknown. Should we be doing this? ‘perfect super human race’ personally- should not be playing around of DNA. Taking ethics, morality and faith out of the question, we should do it. But adding these I think we shouldn’t. </li>
 
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<li> Ageing: unintended consequences of action. population increase/policy change- working longer, pension system would collapse.
 
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Increasing retirement age- public wouldn’t like it. political suicide. demographics of voters- older people vote more. </li> </ol>
 
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<h1> Synthetic biology showcase: Friday 16th July </h1>
 
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<p> <b> Amandeep, Michelle and Abbie presented at the Annual Synthetic Biology Showcase at UCL. This was a unique opportunity to share our project with leading synthetic biology researchers, shape our newer ideas as well as to discuss the ethics of our project. </b> </p>
 
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<p> We introduced iGEM, our motivation for choosing ageing as a topic area and the different approaches we were tackling, the feedback was positive and we were asked some interesting questions such as: </p>
 
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<p> 1. Professor John Ward: With regards to the anti-plaque bacteriocin device, how will you avoid targeting 'good' gram positive bacteria?</p>
 
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<p>(The bacteriocin we are using targets <i> S. mutans </i> specifically which ensures the oral microbiome is not altered dramatically). </p>
 
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<p>2. Professor Steve Miller: Why should we be focusing on ageing and the elderly population - does anyone care?</p>
 
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<p>(The fact that we have an ageing population makes our project considerably relevant. We wish to promote healthy ageing in individuals and whilst this is something that will have dramatic impact on lives it will also reduce the burden this demographic has upon the NHS.)</p>
 
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<p>After presenting alongside academics we took the floor to present our poster but also had the chance to talk to Professor Steve Miller of the RRI who focus on building the bridge between science and public policy who thought our project "sounds interesting" even though we still "have a lot to do". He also suggested that we get in contact with Age UK, to organise some focus groups and find out what people who are affected think! </p>
 
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<p>iGEM teams are leading in the area of Human Practices because they conduct their projects within a social/environmental context, to better understand issues that might influence the design and use of their technologies.</p>
 
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<p>Teams work with students and advisors from the humanities and social sciences to explore topics concerning ethical, legal, social, economic, safety or security issues related to their work. Consideration of these Human Practices is crucial for building safe and sustainable projects that serve the public interest. </p>
 
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<p>For more information, please see the <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Human_Practices/Survey">Human Practices Hub</a>.</p>
 
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<h5>Note</h5>
 
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<p>You must fill out this page in order to be considered for all <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Judging/Awards">awards</a> for Human Practices:</p>
 
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<li>Human Practices silver medal criterion</li>
 
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<li>Human Practices gold medal criterion</li>
 
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<li>Best Integrated Human Practices award</li>
 
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<li>Best Education and Public Engagement award</li>
 
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<h5>Some Human Practices topic areas </h5>
 
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<li>Philosophy</li>
 
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<li>Public Engagement / Dialogue</li>
 
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<li>Product Design</li>
 
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<li>Scale-Up and Deployment Issues</li>
 
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<li>Environmental Impact</li>
 
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<li>Ethics</li>
 
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<li>Safety</li>
 
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<li>Security</li>
 
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<h5>What should we write about on this page?</h5>
 
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<p>On this page, you should write about the Human Practices topics you considered in your project, and document any special activities you did (such as visiting experts, talking to lawmakers, or doing public engagement).</p>
 
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<h5>Inspiration</h5>
 
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<p>Read what other teams have done:</p>
 
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<li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Dundee/policypractice/experts">2014 Dundee </a></li>
 
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<li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UC_Davis/Policy_Practices_Overview">2014 UC Davis </a></li>
 
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<li><a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Manchester/HumanPractices">2013 Manchester </a></li>
 
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<li><a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Cornell/outreach">2013 Cornell </a></li>
 
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Latest revision as of 02:27, 20 October 2016

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UCL iGEM 2016 | BioSynthAge

OUR STORY



We are all stakeholders in ageing hence why Biosynthage has been steeped in controversy since its very inception. However, with controversy come important questions. Some believe that we should not meddle with the human ageing process whereas others believe that we should think of ageing as a disease in order to start treating it. Biosynthage has really enjoyed exploring the depths of many debates which has caused us to constantly stop and reevaluate the next step forward within our project. We are constantly realising that with every new person we speak to, we uncover depths of new perspectives we never knew existed within in our story.



In the following sections, you can have a glimpse at the decisive factors that drove our project and continue to influence the progress of our novel technologies in the future. Below is a timeline of events and activities that the UCL iGEM team were doing this summer! We have details of each event in our human practices silver page!



Click here to find the conclusion of our story so far.