Genomics for Law

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/genomics-for-law

Introduction

### Course Review: Genomics for Law on Coursera In an era where scientific advancements intersect with legal frameworks, "Genomics for Law" offers an insightful exploration of how genomics research interacts with various aspects of law. This course, hosted on Coursera, is not just for legal professionals but also for anyone interested in understanding the implications of genomic advancements in our current socio-legal landscape. #### Course Overview "Genomics for Law" dives deep into the foundational concepts of genomics and its historical context, analyzing its implications within the legal system. The course addresses how genomics can influence criminal law, forensic practices, intellectual property rights, privacy issues, and tort law. Each module provides a robust framework to understand how genomic information can impact legal outcomes and how legal stipulations can shape genomic research. #### Module Breakdown 1. **Introduction to Genomics for Law**: - This module sets the stage by explaining the basics of genomics and its relevance to law. It covers the structure and function of the genome and how evolving technologies affect both fields. 2. **Genomics and Criminal Law**: - Delving into the relationship between genomics and the criminal justice system, this module explores the current practices surrounding genetic evidence and defenses in court. It examines potential reforms necessary to accommodate genomic evidence, providing a thoughtful discussion on its implications for justice. 3. **Genomics and Criminal Procedure**: - Here, learners will gain insights into how individual genomes are treated under criminal law. It discusses protection from governmental access and informs about how DNA profiling is conducted in investigations. 4. **Forensic Genomics**: - This module focuses on the application of genomics in forensic science, including ancestry estimation and physical trait prediction. It critically evaluates the evidentiary standards required and explores the reliability of genetic information in court settings. 5. **Intellectual Property**: - A comprehensive look at the intellectual property landscape concerning genomics, this section unpacks the legal and economic principles surrounding patent eligibility for biological materials and processes. 6. **Genomics and Tort Law**: - Examining the intersection of genomics and tort law, this module highlights issues related to medical negligence and toxic torts, prompting reflection on how genomics influences civil liability. 7. **Genomics and Privacy Law**: - Privacy is a critical concern in genomics. This module addresses regulatory frameworks that protect genomic data and the consequences of violations, making it particularly relevant in the age of data privacy anxieties. 8. **Legal and Ethical Issues in Genomics**: - This final module presents a broad overview of the ethical and legal challenges associated with genomic research. It includes considerations surrounding informed consent and landmark legal cases that have shaped current practices. 9. **Final Assessment**: - The course culminates in a final assessment, allowing learners to apply their acquired knowledge and earn a Course Certificate, affirming their commitment to understanding the convergence of law and genomics. #### Recommendations "Genomics for Law" is highly recommended for legal professionals seeking to expand their expertise into the genomic domain or anyone with an interest in the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic science. The course is well-structured, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights, making it valuable for both academic and professional applications. The engaging format, combining video lectures, readings, and discussion prompts, enhances learning and fosters a community of like-minded individuals. Moreover, the optional end-of-course survey helps improve the learning experience, making the course adaptive to the needs of students. Overall, "Genomics for Law" on Coursera is an enlightening course that provides both foundational knowledge and advanced perspectives on the interplay between genomics and law, making it an essential addition to the educational repertoire of anyone interested in these rapidly evolving fields. Whether you are a legal practitioner, a student, or simply a curious learner, this course is a worthwhile investment in your understanding of the future of law in light of genomic advancements.

Syllabus

Introduction to Genomics for Law

In this module, you will review what genomics is and discuss the relationship of genomics to the law. You will review the basic structure and function of the genome, the vocabulary used to describe its components, and understand how technology has and will continue to influence genomics, as well as how genomics is used in a variety of fields including healthcare, food security, energy, and law.

In this module, you will discuss the relationship of genomics to criminal law, how genetic evidence and genomic defenses currently operate in the criminal justice system and explore how fully allowing genetic evidence and genomic defenses might improve or harm criminal law. You will understand how criminal law might or might not recognize genomics as a defense, review types of changes needed in criminal law to accommodate genetic evidence, and examine how changes in the criminal law, to accommodate genetic evidence and defenses, could impact criminal law.

In this module, you will explore how private individuals' genomes are in a criminal law context, how DNA is examined and processed in criminal investigations, and examine under what circumstances individuals' genomes are protected from access by the government in a criminal law context. You will also recognize under which circumstances the government has an interest in individuals' genomes in a criminal law context and review the basics of the CODIS STRs (Combined DNA Indexing System).

In this module, you will learn about how genomics is used to estimate ancestry and predict physical appearance or traits in criminal investigations, and review the current evidentiary standards for utilizing genetic evidence. You will also examine the scientific viability of using genomics to estimate phenotypic traits, understand the accuracy of genetic estimates for ancestry and phenotypic traits, review the current evidentiary standards under Frye and Daubert, and identify the best methods to utilize genomics evidence under current legal evidentiary standards.

In this module, you will review the history, economic, and legal reasoning behind intellectual property protection.  You will then examine the basic requirements to obtain a patent, and identify which types of biological materials or processes are patent eligible using current case law.  Additionally, comparative intellectual property legal regimes will be introduced.

In this module, you will explore issues related to genomics that arise in Tort Law. You will examine some of the issues that can arise against medical practitioners as well as explore the implications of genomics in toxic tort cases.

In this module, you will investigate the major issues related to privacy and genomics and how the privacy of genomic information is regulated as well as the interactions between major genomic privacy regulations. You will also examine the penalties for violation of genomic privacy regulations.

In this module, you will consider some of the legal and ethical questions that have arisen in genomics research and the legal requirements of informed consent. You will also review major court decisions involving genomics research, treatment, and informed consent, examine the legal evolution and current requirements of informed consent, and explore the legal and ethical quandaries in genomics and its research.

Complete the final assessment to pass the course and receive a Course Certificate. Anyone who is taking this course as a general Coursera learner (not for CLE credit) should complete the Course Content Quiz. Lawyers taking this course for continued legal education (CLE) credit MUST complete the Course Evaluation Form.

Optionally, please complete the end of course survey.