"I spend a bit of my time doing public outreach, because to understand the complexities of whether information should be kept proprietary or free, or the value of the information, or why Canadian taxpayers pay me to do it, people need to at least be familiar with the words," he said. "But you don't normally talk to the majority of Canadians because they just tune out when they hear the word 'science.' So I figured I'd bait and switch. Get them watching TV and before they knew it, they might even learn something. That's why I did it. So I helped the guys do their stories on the precondition that they stick to as much reality as possible. "

Part of his outreach efforts led to a couple of recent public forums, one in Vancouver and one in Hamilton, called "Revealing ReGenesis: Explore TV’s Experiment with Gene Science Fact and Fiction."

Using clips from the series as conversation starters, the forums generated conversation among audience members and scientists sprinkled at tables throughout the room, as well as a panel discussion. Moderated by Jay Ingram, host of Discovery Channel's Daily Planet, the Vancouver panel was comprised of Edwards, fellow geneticist Dr. Elizabeth Simpson, ethicist Dr. Shane Green, and ReGenesis lead actor Peter Outerbridge.

"We used the draw of television and personalities to bring people there and then talk science and they realize man, that's kind of fun," explained Edwards. "That's why we were trying to link the art and the science together, because they're both about creativity and they're both about using your brain."

Daily Planet's Ingram is skeptical that television can teach science to the masses, pointing to his own experience as host of a popular science show. He said he's approached by people who love his show, but blank when asked what their favourite episode was. "People aren't learning facts," he asserted, "but it's creating an atmosphere of respect for science. ReGenesis is adding emotion to science, and that's what people remember."

Edwards concurs that TV on its own is not likely to inspire profound thought about the issues involved, which is why the peripheral activities, like the award-winning extended reality game, Ontario Genomics Institute fact sheets and video podcasts, community talks, and these forums are so important.

"I'm hoping that in a discussion format like we had that evening, people will remember stuff now because they've actually thought about it, and chatted about it, and heard other people's opinions. That is a much better way to learn than listening to a fact or watching it mindlessly on the TV," he said. "But you know, it's only a certain type of person who's going to come and listen to a scientist come and talk in the evening."