Genomics for Law

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.

Genomics and Criminal 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.

Genomics and Criminal Procedure

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).

Forensic Genomics

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.

Intellectual Property

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.

Genomics and Tort Law

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.

Genomics and Privacy Law

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.

Legal and Ethical Issues in Genomics

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.

Final Assessment

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.

How Was the Course?

Optionally, please complete the end of course survey.