As this new century begins, headlines about genetics and DNA catch our attention everyday. The advent of the Human Genome Project, the cloning of superior organisms, and the genetically modified organisms are just some of the scientific developments that have caused great impact in our society. The changes introduced in our society by the biomedical revolution affect our lives in every way; our way of working, consuming food, relating to each other and participating in social life.

The impact of biotechnology on health, food, and the environment will increasingly require informed decisions by individuals. For this reason, it is critically important to bring genetic science closer to society, to have educational projects that focus on the scientific advances in the biomedical field and to stimulate discussions of the issues inherent to the biomedical revolution.

DNA goes to School^TM is an educational project that provides high school and undergraduate students, teachers, professors, and the public in general, with the opportunity to have a closer contact with DNA science. It combines hands-on DNA experiments with a variety of other activities and discussions dealing with DNA and the biomedical field.

DNA goes to School^TM was implemented in 1999 in Brazil with limited resources and a lot of enthusiasm from a small group of people. During its two first years, the project was limited to the Rio de Janeiro area and carried out by high school teachers, scientists, and Ph.D. candidates.

During the course of these initial years, DNA goes to School^TM has been very successful in promoting its program and expanding its activities to other locations. The project has been presented in three major scientific meetings; at the 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics (Philadelphia), at the 10th International

Congress of Human Genetics (Vienna, Austria) and at the 6^th International Meeting of Bioethics (Brazil).

In 2002, DNA goes to School^TM firmed collaborations in two other countries in Latin America; Mexico and Venezuela. In Brazil, the project expanded its activities to Brasilia and São Paulo.

As of today, more than 800 hundred people in three countries have participated in our workshops. The participants include high school and undergraduate students, teachers, journalists, scientists and technicians.