Whether you're a student or teacher, a doctor or lawyer, a parent or grandparent, genetic technologies are changing your world. Our Genes/Our Choices is designed to engage Americans in an essential dialogue about the implications of this new science for our health, our families, our laws, and our society. The project features a three-part television series in which eminent panelists are asked to play roles in hypothetical scenarios that are closely related to their own professional lives. Program topics include privacy and access in the genomic age, evolving reproductive technologies, the use and abuse of genetic information, and genetics and justice.

This viewer's guide is designed to encourage dialogue and reflection about the issues raised in this program. The guide includes:

• Materials to review before watching the program.



• What Do You Know?—a quiz to test your basic knowledge of genetics.
• Meet the Participants—background on the hosts, moderator, and panelists.
• A Poll—answer the questions to compare your views on genetics with others'.



• A synopsis of the scenarios presented during the program as background information for the discussion leader.



• Suggested pre- and post-viewing questions for the program to generate discussion about the issues and the panelists' opinions, and to inspire questions of your own. Feel free to alter them in any way that makes them more appropriate for your conversation.



• Strategies for expanding the discussion to encourage viewers to think deeply about the broader issues raised by the program.



• Enrichment activities that present a scientific and ethical context for the program, as well as relevant background information.



• Could We? The History of Genetics—an essay that provides viewers with information about the history and current capabilities of genetic technologies.



• Should We? How to Think Ethically—an essay that provides strategies for how to think ethically about genetic issues.



• Additional Web, print, and video resources on the science of genetics, the Human Genome Project, and the ethics of genetics.



• Real stories from genetic counselors that offer additional perspective on issues people are grappling with every day.



• Extension projects to help continue the dialogue.



• A PDF of the complete viewer's guide is available on the Get Involved page.