In this area people can learn about science, technology and the issues behind genetic diseases and testing for genetic traits. They can decide for themselves if they would want to be tested to find out if they are carrying the genes for a debilitating or fatal disease. Biotechnology-Fiction and Fact Visitors watch a video loop with clips from Jurassic Park, The Fly, Multiplicity, and other movies to see how genetics and biotech have been used as a basis for science fiction movies, and try guessing what kinds of things biotech can and cannot do. To Learn More about Ourselves Visitors look at living examples of normal and bioengineered mice and learn how genetic engineering was used to create the bioengineered mouse. Graphics explain the steps and technologies in the genetic engineering of mice and how genetically altered mice can help us learn about cancer and obesity in humans.
Visitors follow the steps to learn how Dolly the sheep was cloned.
Different expert opinions present some of the difficult ethical dilemmas surrounding this new technology. Genetic Issues Kiosk Visitors play and quiz show multimedia program to learn about ethics and give opinions on bioethics. Visitors are given the opportunity to ponder ethical issues that arise from genetic engineering of our species.