Genome 580

Genome 580: Ethics

Course Description

This course explores ethical issues in research and teaching and discusses avenues of responsible conduct. Intended for Genome Sciences grads and others supported by departmental training grants.

Class Format

Most classes will be focused on a discussion with the instructor and guest faculty discussant(s). There will be assigned readings for each topic, and I will put those on the class website several days prior to the class. Please print those and bring them to class. We will also have some questions to structure the discussion, but your thoughts and questions aired in the discussion are the heart of the class. For some classes we will break into subgroups to have a more focused discussion.

Instructor

Michael MacCoss, Ph.D.

Course Materials

We do not use a textbook. There will be assigned readings from the literature, perspectives, and/or free online sources.

Course Schedule

Date	Zoom Link	Topic	Readings
4/18/2025 -- 11:30am-12:30pm	Zoom Link	Publication Practices	1. Authorship Nature Portfolio 2. Close Inspection 3. Co-authors gone bad 4. Wasteful tyranny 5. Navigating Authorship 6. How to write a peer review 7. Roles of Authors and Contributors 8. No First, No Last Authors 9. Rise in Retractions 10. Hyperprolific Authors 11. Power of Transparancy 12. What makes an author? 13. Leek Peer Review 14. Noble 10 Simple Rules
4/23/2025 -- noon-1pm	Zoom Link	Integrity of data, management and analysis, scientific fraud	1. An Unwelcome Discovery 2. Image Manipulation 3. Extreme Dispute 4. Duplicated Images 5. Shaking up science 6. Whistle Blowing
5/14/2025 -- 10am-11am	Zoom Link	Teaching and Mentoring	1. 10 simple rules 2. Blocking Path to Success 3. How to be a great mentor 4. Integrity and PIs 5. Guide for Mentors 6. Raising Scientific Experts 7. Rules for PIs 8. Care and Maintenance of your Advisor 9. What I owe my mentor?
5/15/2025 -- noon-1pm	Zoom Link	DNA, privacy and responsibilities	1. Anonymity in Genetic Research 2. Evans Deflating the Genomic Bubble 3. GINA 4. McGuire Regulating Direct to Consumer 5. Genetic Testing for All 6. Return of Results 7. Trinidad Research Practice and Participants 8. Test Interpretation 9. Incidental Benefits 10. Burke, We need to talk 11. Clinical Standards Research 12. What would you do? 13. Guidelines for Reporting Results 14. Reporting incidental findings
5/21/2025 -- 11am-noon	Zoom Link	Collaboration, sharing, and resources	1. Bermuda Rules 2. Path to productive partnerships 3. With all good intentions 4. Data hoarding 5. Tag Teams 6. Tips for Collaborating