Ferramentas de bioinformática para o ensino da Genética na educação básica

Abstract

Understanding the basis of genetics strengthens democratic pluralism, promotes values such as personal autonomy, kinship and respect for variation, and helps to reduce artificial social divisions. In this context, efforts to develop genetics curricula at all levels and to work with educators to integrate appropriate materials into the classroom are essential. The knowledge imparted is not only important in itself, but also promotes personal autonomy and informed public participation. Genetics education offers a unique opportunity to integrate concepts from different sciences and to address the personal and societal implications of new technologies. Public policy issues in genetics should be broadened to include discussions on personal autonomy, the allocation of public resources and ensuring equity for women, minorities and people with disabilities, in line with innovative approaches to 'holistic learning', 'interdisciplinarity' and 'science-technology-society' that synthesise information from different disciplines and connect learning to students' personal lives and culture. The aim of this study is to provide materials to support the process of education in genetics. This process should begin in primary education and continue into adulthood, beyond formal classroom settings. The approach should be interdisciplinary, combining factual content in basic genetics with topics from the behavioural and social sciences. By implementing these approaches, we hope to contribute to the development of a genetically literate public that understands basic biological research, the personal and health implications of genetics, and actively participates in public policy issues related to genetic information. This work also aims to promote an understanding of personal values and cultural perspectives on complex genetic issues. In the work presented, bioinformatics tools have been collected and pedagogical activities have been developed with the aim of integrating them into the genetics teaching curriculum. These tools and activities are designed to facilitate the understanding of genetic concepts by promoting an interdisciplinary and interactive approach. In addition to enriching scientific content, the study also aims to stimulate critical reflection on the social, ethical and personal implications of genetics, preparing students to actively participate in informed discussions about new technologies and their societal implications.