Worldwide Genetics Exhibitions
Robert "Mac" West and Carol Bossert
Biotechnology, genetic engineering, genetic analysis and, broadly speaking, understanding the development and organization of life, is the subject of increasing numbers of exhibitions. An accompanying article reviews two exhibitions visited by one of the ILR editors and a colleague. Here, we offer descriptions of several other presentations of similar subject matter, based on published, web and verbal information.
European Exhibitions
Biotechnology is viewed differently in different European countries. Europeans in general are positive about medical biotechnologies but skeptical, and concerned, about agricultural, food, and transgenic animal biotechnologies. Austria, Germany and Sweden are the least supportive; Portugal, Spain, Greece and Finland are the most supportive. Those with the shortest history of investment and research in biotechnology are generally the most supportive and vice versa. Policy makers in Europe seem concerned with the regulation of risk while the public is concerned about the ethical dimensions of new developments.
"Future Foods" was a short-lived traveling exhibition prepared by The Science Museum, London, and circulated to the Museu de Ciencia, Lisbon, Portugal and the Forum des Sciences in Lille, France. It dealt with the science behind genetically modified food. This exhibition circulated several years ago and currently is in storage.
"Focus on Genes," a traveling exhibition done by the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, Dresden, circulated to the Casa de las Ciencias in La Coufia, Spain, the Technology Museum in Thessaloniki, Greece, and the Natural Science Museum in Brussels, Belgium.
This 200 square meter (1800 square feet) exhibition includes sections devoted to the history of genetics, the most significant concepts (functions of DNA and transgenic organisms) and possible consequences for food (health risks; flavor), medicine (gene therapy, new medicines, medical diagnoses), and the environment (resistance to diseases, labeling, reduced pesticide use). The presentation is aimed at secondary school students and above.
The history section is pretty straightforward presentation of Gregor Mendel's famous experiments with peas and the consequent laws of heredity that emerged from those and additional experiments. It is followed by areas devoted to the development of modern genetics, discovery of the double helix model of the DNA molecule, and the emergence of bioengineering. It includes both models and specimens of mutated fruit flies.
Genetics and cell biology deals with structure of the cell and the nature of the control genes have over embryonic development. A giant chromosome model shows the structure of hereditary material. Interactive models demonstrate how mutations occur and how they cause specific diseases such as Down's Syndrome.
The Laboratory includes examples of experimental techniques and observations, including the detection of genetic abnormalities and mechanisms for inserting genetic material directly into a plant or animal.
In the Medical Biotechnology area, visitors use an interactive program to see how a vaccine offers protection against a disease. Visitors play the role of a hepatitis B virus and see how a vaccine keeps it from attacking the immune system and damaging the liver.
Cloning of higher animal species is dealt with here, as well as xenotransplantation (transplanting of animal organs and tissues into other animals, including humans). This introduces the ethical issues of growing animals for use as organ donors. A piece of brain tumor tissue illustrates the ability of gene therapy to treat malignant brain tumors.
Genetic engineering in food begins with a model of the "bruise resistant tomato and goes on to discuss genetically modifying rice to include more vitamin A. Agricultural genetic engineering includes a model of a corn borer caterpillar and the transgenic corn that has been created to defend against it.
The final section of the exhibit looks at genetic testing and the current and potential uses and abuses of this technology. It is particularly concerned with the detection of hereditary diseases. It also poses the question of what is a disease and what is a departure from the human norm. For example, dwarfism is controlled by changes in two genes; is dwarfism a disease?
The Natural Science Museum in Brussells extended this exhibition through a series of debates for school students which included presentations by scientists with varying views on the topic at hand. The subjects of these75-minute sessions, held at the museum, included: Biotechnology in General, Genetically Modified Organisms, and Medical Applications of Gene Technology.
U.S. Exhibitions
The Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, has developed a traveling exhibition called "Genetics!" It is a 6,000 square foot presentation which "will introduce visitors to one of the most exciting areas of scientific research." It currently is on display at the PSC before moving out on its national tour.
The exhibition has five units: Mendelian Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Applied Genetics, Working With Genetics, and General. It is highly interactive and includes a "Tots Discovery Area."
The General section introduces basic concepts, provides information about the Human Genome Project and has activities for tots four and under. These include a kid-sized centrifuge, a vibrating table and a giant microscope slide.
The Mendelian Genetics area includes activities on inherited physical traits, selective breed of dogs, versions of Mendel's experiments on the color of pea flowers, and the differences between phenotypes and genotypes.
Molecular Genetics shows the structures of various cell types, the construction of the DNA double helix, the human gene sequence, how human genes have moved across the glob over time, and the extraordinary complexity of the human genome.
Applied Genetics looks at gene expression, genetic relationships among plants and animals, and the concept of mutation.
Working with Genetics focuses on laboratory techniques and eight of the pioneers in genetic experimentation and innovation. It also has video clips of scientists and technicians explaining what they do, why and how.
Clear Channel Communications - Exhibits (the former BBH) is developing a traveling exhibition on genetics. At the writing of this article, however, their plans were so preliminary as to not allow the ILR to describe any of the possible components or intentions of their exhibition.
Robert "Mac" West is publisher
and co-editor of The
Informal Learning Review. Carol Bossert is principal of CB Services.
She can be reached at bossert@erols.com.