A CRISPR Future in Berkeley 2033 - CCA Vault, Exercises of Artificial Intelligence

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A CRISPR Future in Berkeley 2033

A Proposed Foresight Workshop Prepared for Berkeley City Council District 7 By Francesca Alfajora, Andrew Paden, and Brandon Welch

Table of Contents

Overview

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is an emerging biotechnology with applications in medicine and biomedical research, but with broader potential uses and socio-environmental impacts to academic research centers and their surrounding communities. The practice of strategic foresight is a multidisciplinary applied science that allows organizations and communities to shape more desirable futures, and has become a required component of strategic planning in organizations such as Shell Corporation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Future. Students at California College of the Arts’ MBA in Design Strategy (DMBA) program have completed a strategic foresight research study on the impacts and opportunities of CRISPR technology on the University of California, Berkeley community. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley City Council District 7. Study leaders have proposed a thirty-participant CRISPR strategic foresight workshop to Berkeley City Councilman-Elect Rigel Robinson. The workshop consists of scenario storytelling, emerging issues exploration, presentation of an “future artifact”, and training in foresight techniques will occur at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology. The purpose of the workshop is to promote the creative and critical thinking skills of strategic foresight through the lens of a contemporary biotechnology issue.

Workshop Goals

The central goal of the workshop is to introduce participants to the analytical and creative methods of the strategic foresight “way of thinking” through an examination of the potential social impacts and economic opportunities of CRISPR. Participants will leave the workshop with foresight toolkit applicable to a wide range of technology, business, and policy questions.

Outcomes

The foresight workshop will achieve the following outcomes:

1. Increase participant awareness of society’s most impactful and controversial, contemporary biotechnology issue.

2. Lead participants through a typical strategic foresight project workflow.
3. Introduce participants to the creative and critical thinking skills of strategic foresight.
4. Provide participants with an adaptable and timeless toolkit for strategic planning projects.
5. Allow participants to brainstorm and created a tangible artifact of their learning experience.

Who

The foresight workshop targets a group of thirty participants to represent a pool of diverse backgrounds. The thirty-participant group size is optimal for achieving both productive large group discussions as well as collaborative small group activities. Suggested workshop attendees should represent the voices of Berkeley’s City Council District 7, UC Berkeley’s faculty in anthropology and biology, and UC Berkeley students. While the purpose of the workshop is to build understanding, the only pre-work is for participants unfamiliar with CRISPR to watch a short YouTube video (see Appendix A).

Environment

Location The workshop is proposed to take place at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, accessibly located at the center of UC Berkeley’s campus. This unique venue was strategically chosen for context to frame the values of foresight and evolutionary issues of CRISPR technology. The museum's dark-toned and lowlight environment will help immerse participants into the “My Genes, My Choice” futures scenario. Layout As guests enter the room, they will conveniently find the sign-in table to the left and refreshments immediately to the right. These tables will welcome them upon entry and assist in creating a more comfortable environment. The room easily holds the workshop size of thirty people. With a total of six round tables, approximately 5

Experience

The workshop’s hands-on experience is a balance between ways of thinking and types of activities. The foresight workshop leads participants through a journey of a typical strategic foresight project; first research, then design. The first half of the workshop promotes critical thinking skills through research and analysis tools. The midway break gives participants time to transition from an analytical way of thinking to the equally useful, creative side of foresight. The second half of the workshop emphasizes creative thinking skills through designing “artifacts of the future.” This section of the workshop provides participants with a creative toolkit that is unique to strategic foresight. At the end of the workshop session, participants should feel accomplished that they have brainstormed and created a tangible artifact of their learning experience. The workshop is also designed in a rhythmic flow of learning through formal presentation, small group activity, and large group discussion. This helps keep participants engaged from one activity to the next. In addition, the various types of activities help to give opportunities to different preferred participation styles.

Logistics

Official Workshop Time: 09:00 - 13: Location: Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, UC Berkeley Materials: Sticky notes, sharpies, colored markers, CRISPR artifact of the future, “The Thing from the Future” game, worksheet guide, poster materials Order of Events: Time Topic Activity Who? 08: 30 min Setup and Coffee Setup Setup room to layout, food, and technologies specifications outlined above. Pastries and Coffee Allow participants to get settled and have light breakfast. Room Layout, Materials, & Food Setup: Welch Technical Setup: Paden Guest Check-in and Greetings: Alfajora

09: 15 min Workshop Introductions Team Backgrounds (2 min) Introduction of facilitators’ backgrounds and qualifications. Agenda (3 min) Agenda overview to provide transparency to participants. Ground Rules (8 min) Establish roles, rules, and expectations. Workshop Objectives (2 min) Objectives overview to provide clarity of workshop goals. Lead Presenter and Facilitator: Welch Support: Paden Late-comer Guest Check-ins: Alfajora 09: 15 min Foresight Introduction “My Genes, My Choice” Scenario and Artifact (10 min) Storytelling presentation of the scenario and discovery of the “My Genes, My Choice” futures artifact (see Appendix B). A Call for Futurists (5 min) A case for why the world needs more foresight strategists and the values and benefits of Strategic Foresight frameworks. Lead Presenter and Facilitator: Paden Support: Alfajora and Welch 9: 60 min Trends and Signals Trends and Signals Presentation (15 min) Presentation introduction of trends and signals concepts, and useful tools such as environmental scanning and s-curve model. Trends and Signals Breakout Group Activity (15 min) Participants break out into small groups to apply introduced concepts and tools to “My Genes, My Choice” scenario. Large Group Discussion (15 min) An opportunity for groups to present their findings, exchange ideas, and ask questions. Emerging Issues Presentation Lead Facilitator and Presenter: Paden Emerging Issues Guest Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Doudna, UC Berkeley Professor and Co-founder of CRISPR Facilitation Support and Breakout Group Help: Alfajora and Welch

of accessible resources for foresight tools, templates, and CRISPR articles. Wrap Up Reflection (5 min) Facilitator recites insights learned from earlier activities and frame it to fit with outcomes. Question and Answer (7 min) Facilitator to address any unanswered questions from workshop participants. Welch 13: 30 min Break Down Extra Question and Answer Stay behind for extra questions and comments from participants. Break Down Restore room layout, clean up food and materials, and pack up technological equipment. Guest Questions: Alfajora Room Layout, Materials, & Food Break Down: Welch Technical Break Down: Paden

Biographies

Francesca Alfajora, Lead Workshop Experience Designer Francesca is an experience designer, completing her Bachelor’s of Arts in Architecture at UC Berkeley (GO Bears!). Francesca’s professional career spans the experience design spectrum of working in architectural firms like FORGE and digital platform startups like Pillow. Besides pursuing her MBA in Design Strategy at the California College of the Arts, Francesca dedicates her spare time serving as the SF Regional Council Leader for the nonprofit ACE Mentor Program. Through the ACE Mentor Program, Francesca has gained experience in planning afterschool programs and facilitating student orientations and lesson plans. Francesca’s role in the foresight workshop team is essential to crafting participant learning experiences. She designs activities and experiences valued by participants while aligning with workshop objectives and outcomes. www.linkedin.com/in/francescaalfajora/ Brandon Welch, Marketing & Logistics Director Brandon Welch is an artist, designer, and entrepreneur, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He recently graduated with honors and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from Howard University and is currently a MBA/MFA dual-degree candidate. In addition to his formal undergraduate education, he’s cultivated a skill set for himself through his own business ventures. In 2013, at the age of 16, he launched his own fashion label CRANIUM. Now, he oversees a talented team who assist with daily operations while he focuses on business strategy, creative direction, and the overall identity of the company. He’s also interned at fashion label Aspiga in London, Adobe in San Francisco, and Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Contemporary Art Gallery in Washington D.C. With experience managing a team, planning events to help market the label, and collaborating with individuals across various disciplines, he will be a major asset to the logistics, branding, and marketing of the event. www.linkedin.com/in/skottywelch/

Appendices

• Letter ……………………………………..……………………………………………………...
• Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………...
• Workshop Goals ..……………………………………………………………………………...
• Outcomes ………………..……………………………………………………………………...
• Who ……………………………………………………………………………………………....
• Environment .…………………………………………………………………………………....
• Experience …..………………………………………………………………………….……….
• Logistics ..………………………………………………………………………………..……...
• Biographies …..………………………………………………………………………………..
• Appendix …..…………………………………………………………………………………...
• Appendix A: Pre-work Resource…………………...………………………...……………..
• Appendix B: “My Genes, My Choice” Futures Artifact.………………………………......
• Appendix C: Artifact of the Future Worksheet Guides.…….………………..……....…...
• Appendix D: Pilot Workshop of Artifacts of the Future…….……...………..…….……...

Appendix A: Pre-work Resource Biologist Explains One Concept in 5 Levels of Difficulty - CRISPR | WIRED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sweN8d4_MUg Appendix B: “My Genes, My Choice” Futures Artifact The artifact is invited to be displayed at the Institute for the Future’s (IFTF) Gallery. IFTF will house the artifact after the foresight workshop.

Artifact of the Future Worksheet Guide

Protest Poster Creation - Patient Advocacy Organization

Scenario: In 2033, CRISPR technology is heavily regulated and strictly limited to treating life-threatening diseases. Violators caught using unpermitted CRISPR enhancements undergo criminal punishment. UC Berkeley students forego risks to run an underground CRISPR market where they edit their genes, increasing the production of performance enhancing neurotransmitters in regions of the brain. Students resort to illegal CRISPR enhancements to stay competitive and relevant against artificial intelligence. Task: Set in Berkeley 2033, your group is participating in the next large protest regarding the future of CRISPR at UC Berkeley. Your group is tasked to create a slogan or myth/metaphor of your best argument based on your interest group’s point of view on CRISPR. Your protest poster should be informed by this slogan. Interest Group: Patient Advocacy Organization (Planned CRISPRhood) Point of View: De-stigmatize CRISPR Questions to Consider as the Patient Advocacy Organization: ● What do you think are the stigmas for CRISPR? ● What methods and actions can you take to help de-stigmatize CRISPR? ● How do you feel you can best support patients? ● How do you feel about UC Berkeley’s policies and stance on CRISPR?

Artifact of the Future Worksheet Guide

Protest Poster Creation - Medical/Research Institution

Scenario: In 2033, CRISPR technology is heavily regulated and strictly limited to treating life-threatening diseases. Violators caught using unpermitted CRISPR enhancements undergo criminal punishment. UC Berkeley students forego risks to run an underground CRISPR market where they edit their genes, increasing the production of performance enhancing neurotransmitters in regions of the brain. Students resort to illegal CRISPR enhancements to stay competitive and relevant against artificial intelligence. Task: Set in Berkeley 2033, your group is participating in the next large protest regarding the future of CRISPR at UC Berkeley. Your group is tasked to create a slogan or myth/metaphor of your best argument based on your interest group’s point of view on CRISPR. Your protest poster should be informed by this slogan. Interest Group: Medical/Research Institution Point of View: Regulate CRISPR Questions to Consider as the Medical/Research Institution: ● What are the consequences of not having enough research on genetics? ● What are the dangers to have untrained students using CRISPR? ● What would it mean for evolution if CRISPR modifies the germ line (genes passed on for every generation after)? ● Where do you draw the line of who should have access to CRISPR and what it should be used for?

Appendix D: Pilot Workshop of Artifacts of the Future