LQN203 Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Genetics and Genomics
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LQN203 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (192cps in IV04 or MV05 or BV06 or EV08) or (enrolment in IV54 or IV57 or IV55 or IV56 or IV58 or LS72 or LS81 or IN27 or IN31) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,744 |
| International unit fee | $5,148 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | LQN203 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (192cps in IV04 or IV05 or MV05 or BV06 or BV07 or EV08 or EV07 or SV04) or (enrolment in IV54 or IV57 or IV59 or IV55 or IV52 or IV56 or IV51 or IV58 or IV60 or LS72 or LS81 or IN27 or IN31). |
| Coordinator: | Joanne Voisey | j.voisey@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unique interdisciplinary unit is specifically designed for students to gain in-depth perspectives of the ethical implications of genetics and genomics including the additional considerations which apply to genetic testing related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. In this unit, you will explore the ethical, legal, and social implications surrounding the practice of clinical genetics, medical testing, and scientific research. By examining these crucial issues, you will gain valuable insights into the complexities that govern the field and understand how you can contribute to shaping responsible and equitable practices in genetics.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically examine the principles of biomedical ethics and the different ethical frameworks and analyse additional considerations which apply to genetic testing related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and culturally diverse groups.
- Evaluate proposed genomic research and testing for potential genetic discrimination from diverse perspectives.
- Scrutinise the legislation protecting patient privacy as applied to genomic research and testing in professional practice.
- Interrogate and synthesise the knowledge gained during this course to evaluate ethical, legal and social implications of a patient undertaking predisposition genetic testing.
Content
- Principles used in medical ethics and their applications to the practice of genetics
- Importance of sustainability and accountability in genomics.
- Principles of confidentiality and privacy and how they apply to the practice of genetics
- The balance required between professional and family obligations and the laws and regulations governing practice
- Ethical and psychosocial issues generated by genomic technologies
- Genetic discrimination, evidence for genetic discrimination and the potential impact on patients following testing or diagnosis, in particular regarding access to insurance
- Policies governing life insurance practice as it pertains to genetics
- Ethical issues generated by biobanking
- Prenatal genetic testing
- How informed consent is obtained in genomic testing and describe appropriate levels of information and different stages of consultation
- The principles of privacy protection for genomic testing information and where National and State privacy legislation can be found
- The difference between testing performed for diagnostics and testing performed for research
- The sensitivities of conducting genomic research on diverse cultural groups, including Indigenous Australians
- The historical abuses of different ethnic groups in the conduct of genetic analysis and strategies for sensitively and respectfully engaging communities in genomic research
- The main principles and applications of genetic counselling
- Legal and regulatory issues relating to genomic analysis, data storage and re-analysis and where the underpinning regulations can be found
- DNA storage methods and requirements for different methods and the duty of care for stored genetic material
- Ethical challenges of the future including gene editing.
Learning Approaches
This unit is designed to introduce you to the core concepts of the ethical, legal and social issues related to genomics. The online delivery is through Canvas. The unit is developed around the principles of adult learning, theory and practice and open learning guidelines. This predominantly, asynchronous learning environment allows you to go through lectures, materials and exercises at your own pace.
The Canvas site will provide you with important learning resources including pre-recorded lectures, research papers, media articles and videos. These will allow you to keep abreast of learning and teaching requirements in this unit. You are required to take part in online meetings, interactive exercises and online message boards. You will be presented with lecture material from Indigenous researchers/clinicians on how to successfully conduct projects that benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Canvas will facilitate your ongoing conversations with other students and with academic staff, providing flexible and timely support for learning. Learning support is also provided, through regular announcements in the Canvas site for you in terms of appropriate self-pacing of your study during the semester. You will be expected to engage in online discussions and complete formative assessment tasks to consolidate your learning.
You will be encouraged to read widely and to think critically about the nature and scope of how ethical, legal and social issues relate to the field of diagnostic genomics.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
The online webinars and discussion boards are the key places you can ask for and receive feedback on your understanding of course materials. Feedback on assessment 1 will be given regarding your analytical skills, ability to identify resources, reasoning and ability to interpret and summarise your findings. Feedback on assessment 2 will be given each week during discussion board activities. Each assessment item will include individual feedback on your progress as stated above.
Assessment
Overview
There are two formal assessment items in LQN203. Assessment 1 is a case study which gives you the opportunity to synthesise the knowledge gained during this course to evaluate ethical, legal and cultural implications of a patient undertaking predisposition genetic testing. Assessment 2 is a workbook which documents your participation in online activities throughout the semester; you will be asked to highlight your best discussion board post in your workbook.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study
In this authentic assessment, you will act as a member of a hospital ethics committee who is presented with the case study of a patient pursuing predisposition testing for a genetic condition. You are asked to synthesise the knowledge gained during this course and interrogate the literature to evaluate the ethical, legal and cultural implications of offering genetic testing to the patient. You must produce a report providing recommendations to the ethics board based on your research.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Workbook
This reflection documents your weekly participation in online problem-based discussion board activities throughout the semester and provides a forum for you to reflect on the professional growth you have experienced through your participation. You will be asked to highlight the best discussion board post in your workbook submission and create a log of your posts. You will be asked to reflect upon how your participation has enhanced your professional thinking. You will be required to contribute each week to the activity and respond to peers' posts.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
In addition to online lecture notes, a selection of online textbooks, journal articles, and internet resources will be made available each week through the QUT Library.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LS72 Graduate Diploma in Diagnostic Genomics
- Apply scientific knowledge and skills, focused on current genomic trends in practice and research, utilising digital capabilities.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2 - Critically evaluate scientific findings and locate solutions to solve complex genomics problems, employing high order cognitive skills, clinical reasoning, and reflective practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3 - Develop and apply professional oral and written communication skills that inform effective collaboration and digital interactions with colleagues and other stakeholders across the medical and scientific contexts.
Relates to: ULO3 - Practise within a framework of personal accountability, collegiality and ethical judgment, while valuing cultural safety and sensitivity in professional practice, clinical decision-making and research.
Relates to: ULO4
LS81 Master of Diagnostic Genomics
- Apply scientific knowledge and skills, focused on current genomic trends in practice and research, utilising digital capabilities.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2 - Critically evaluate scientific findings and locate solutions to solve complex genomics problems, employing high order cognitive skills, clinical reasoning, and reflective practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3 - Develop and apply professional oral and written communication skills that inform effective collaboration and digital interactions with colleagues and other stakeholders across the medical and scientific contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Case Study, Workbook - Practise within a framework of personal accountability, collegiality and ethical judgement, drawing upon Indigenous perspectives, cultural safety and sensitivity in professional practice, clinical decision-making and research.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook - Plan and execute a substantial academic activity in the field of diagnostic genomics to address a specific research question.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4