<p>iGEM teams are unique and leading the field because they "go beyond the lab" to imagine their projects in a social/environmental context, to better understand issues that might influence the design and use of their technologies.</p>
+
<body>
−
<p>Teams work with students and advisors from the humanities and social sciences to explore topics concerning ethical, legal, social, economic, safety or security issues related to their work. Consideration of these Human Practices is crucial for building safe and sustainable projects that serve the public interest. </p>
+
<div id="main">
−
<p>For more information, please see the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Practices_Hub">Practices Hub</a>.</p>
+
−
<div class="highlightBox">
+
<h5>Integrated Human Practices</h5>
−
<h4>Note</h4>
+
−
<p>You must fill out this page in order to be considered for all <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Judging/Awards">awards</a> for Human Practices:</p>
+
−
<ul>
+
−
<li style="color:orange;">Human Practices silver medal criterion</li>
+
−
<li>Human Practices gold medal criterion</li>
+
−
<li>Best Integrated Human Practices award</li>
+
−
<li>Best Education and Public Engagement award</li>
+
−
</ul>
+
−
</div>
+
+
<p> The policy and practices component in <strong>Mind the Gut</strong> aims to reduce the <strong>stigma</strong> around mental health problems by creating awareness about the physiological causes of disorders such as depression and anxiety. We aim to directly tackle this misconception through the science of our lab work: the connection between the gut microbiota and the brain to treat mental disorders. </p>
+
<div>
+
<br>
+
<h2 style="margin-top:1%"> How?</h2>
−
<h5>Some Human Practices topic areas </h5>
+
<p>We've been involved in discussions with patients, practitioners,scientists and volunteers in charities to inquire about mental health issues. We also plan to use this as an opportunity to create awareness for the gut-brain axis which is quite a nascent field of research. This helps us ensure the relevance of our project to patients.</p>
+
<br>
+
<p> We've organized events in collaboration with artists, museums and mental health organisations in order to start discussions with the general public and incorporate their ideas into our project. As of now there are two aspects that are needed to be considered:
+
<ul>
+
<br>
+
<li>Firstly, a large part of scientific research is not accessible to the general public due to technical language and jargon. This barrier needs to be overcome in order to inform the public about the physiology of mental health and to help the patients understand their condition.</li><!--We are creating software that can find technical terms in publications and highlights them for authors, such as scientists or future iGEM teams, to rephrase when addressing non-science audiences.-->
+
<br>
+
<li>Secondly, patients taking medication (e.g. for depression) must increase their dose in controlled, regular intervals. This is an issue we will consider when building the genetic circuit for our biobricks.</li></ul></p><div>
<p>On this page, you should write about the Human Practices topics you considered in your project, and document any special activities you did (such as visiting experts, talking to lawmakers, or doing public engagement).</p>
+
<p>We are currently organising an event with the Mental Fight Club in Southwark, London. <strong>The Dragon Café</strong> is a weekly event in the Crypt of St George the Martyr Church. It is open to all, but is especially catered towards those struggling with mental health issues or patients from St. Thomas Hospital. Our one-off event will consist of a presentation and a Q&A about our project.<!--This might be in collaboration with an artist that focuses on the stigma and the way to overcome it with science.--></p></li>
−
+
<br>
−
+
<li><p><b>YoungMinds UK</b></p>
−
<h5>Inspiration</h5>
+
<p>We have contacted the mental health charity, <strong>YoungMinds UK</strong>, to widen our perception about mental health issues. This charity is catered towards students and young people with mental health issues. We are currently planning an interactive event to engage directly with these people and present our project.</p></li>
<p>Do you want to be considered for the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Judging/Awards#SpecialPrizes">Best Integrated Human Practices award</a>? Make it easy for the judges to find any wiki content that is relevant to this prize. Highlight this content with a header or separate section.</p>
−
<h3>Education and Public Engagement</h3>
+
</body>
−
<p>Do you want to be considered for the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Judging/Awards#SpecialPrizes">Best Education and Public Outreach award</a>? Make it easy for the judges to find any wiki content that is relevant to this prize. Highlight this content with a header or separate section.</p>