My Genes and Cancer
FYSEMR 22H
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
The effect of a person's genetic background on whether they will develop cancer, and when, is at the center of scientific and societal dilemmas which will be explored in this seminar. The seminar will include a brief didactic phase, followed by student‐led learning activities and by final debates, moderated by students. Learning will cover genetic inheritance of cancer; cancer evolutionary theories; conceptual and technical notions of probability and risk; and their use in personalized medicine.
Debates will emerge from the student’s interest. Examples may include: should we test all children at birth? Should we research methods for editing genetic susceptibility to cancer out of embryos? Should race be part of the construction of personalized cancer risk? NASA is both an employer and a health care provider for astronauts: space missions increase astronauts’ risk of cancer; should NASA test astronauts for inherited susceptibility to cancer, and how should they use the information?
NOTE: Recommended Preparation - There are no strict prerequisites, though some familiarity with the basic concepts of probability and genetics will be very helpful.
Class Notes
First-Year Seminars are available only to first-year students. You may apply to both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 First-Year Seminars via the FYS lottery between July 6 and August 6, 2026 at 11:59PM-midnight.
You may apply to as many seminars each term as you would like, but we recommend you apply to at least six in fall and three in spring.
As part of your application, you must provide a brief statement on why you are interested in each seminar. You will be notified of lottery results for both fall and spring seminars at 5 pm on August 11. If you are unsuccessful in the lottery, you may still join any seminar with open seats. A list of open seminars and instructions on next steps will be available on the First-Year Seminar Program website August 11 at 12 Noon.
Not Available for Cross Registration
