Using bioinformatics to explore ambiguity in datasets in order to develop critical thinking in biological education

One of the hallmarks of the past decade in biological research has been the explosion of sequence data deposited in publically accessible databases. Such information represents a significant resource but also a formidable challenge for developing biological education. We must provide learners with the expertise with which the information contained in these data repositories can be disseminated and explored to inform key debates on the ethical and practical issues that surround the applications and exploitation of this information.