Student Help Desk

Do you need help with an assignment, project or debate on genetic engineering or biotechnology?

Well, you've come to the right place if you want information on the ethics, social and environmental implications of the technology.

BUT ... if you're only interested in the methods used by genetic engineers or geneticists, you need to go elsewhere. For basic information on molecular biology, i.e. the nuts-and-bolts of genetic engineering, try the DNA Primer at the Human Genome Project or DNA From The Beginning at Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory or Access Excellence -- the schools pages of Genentech Inc.

SO ... are you still with me? I'm willing to help you, but before you email me ...

STOP and read this!

I can't handle all of your enquires. And often the requests ask me to do the impossible! For example, most messages read like this:

I have an assignment due in 2 days, so please send info on the pros and cons of genetic engineering.

I could spend hours--even days?--answering this one sentence! In the first place, the request is way too general. I also get the impression that I might be doing most of the work for whoever is out there. So I need to be selective.

I have a suggestion ...

I'll respond to you if you give me some details about what you've already done to research the topic. This means we may even get into a dialogue via email while you develop your ideas. Also it helps me to know if you've made use of what is already in the Ifgene homepage. For example:

• A beginner's guide to genetic engineering

• Have you read any of the articles in the Ifgene homepage? Sure, some of the articles are a bit academic and technical for middle and high school students--so I've heard. Check them out anyhow and let me know what you learned and where you had difficulties. If it is just understanding what a word means try looking in our glossary and key to abbreviations

• If you have a fairly clear idea of what you are looking for on this stite and can reduce it to key words, try searching our site using Google's Advanced Search facility by typing ifgene into the Domain box.

• Have you looked over our genetic engineering book list? Yes, the web is loaded with information, but some of the best sources of information are still on the library shelves. What library research have you done? What did you find that is helpful? What were you unable to find? If you need more book suggestions, try the bibliography at the end of John Armstrong's dissertation The value of biotechnology as an incentive for moral evolution or at the end of relevant articles on this site.

• If you are just looking for "PROS & CONS", why not check out our list of genetic engineering pros and cons which covers general, plant, animal and human aspects of genetic engineering.
  We also offer brief highlights of A History of Genetic Engineering.

• Have you checked out any of the other sites? I've included a variety of links, many with summaries of what you can find at each site. Are any of these related to your class project? If they weren't helpful, why?

• Are you wanting to know what is permitted in different countries (e.g. 'designer babies', cloning people etc.)? You may find answers on our page which gives details of Governmental and International Control of Genetic Engineering .

• Many enquirers ask us about 'designer babies' and for the pros and cons of engineering the human germ line. 

• How do I become a genetic engineer and how much will I earn?

• Are you looking for groundbreaking material in relation to GM crops and food? Then why not try our book. If you cannot afford it you might like to try asking your school, university or public library to get it for you and we will airmail it to them.

Now after all of this ...

If you still need help, I'd be glad to hear from you. But give me some input. Also tell me your level in school, the nature of your project and which country you are mailing from. If you do not get a reply within 24 hours it is most likely because we are away from the office, i.e. not ignoring you! You may write in English, German, French or Welsh. Messages in other languages are possible but could take much longer to reply to.

Send your message to David Heaf, co-ordinator for Ifgene in the United Kingdom .
His email address is david at dheaf dot plus dot com -- please reconstruct this anti-spam address using the '@' symbol instead of 'at' and a dot character instead of 'dot'.
Feel free to write in English, German, French or Welsh. Replies will be in English.

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