The Gene# summary

The discovery of the gene answered an important question regarding heredity in a species. Yet it also sparked new questions. Researchers knew that genes existed, but did not know what a gene looked like – or how it worked on a biological level.

In the 1940s, biochemists began examining the workings of cells. In the nucleus of the cell, they discovered certain molecules – DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and its close relative, RNA (ribonucleic acid). These molecules were grouped as nucleic acids, as they were found in the cell’s nucleus.

As researchers further explored the workings of genetic material, how such discoveries could be used to “improve” humanity was taking form in a field called eugenics.

Supporters of eugenics felt that through science, they could purify the gene pool by encouraging people with desirable traits to reproduce, while preventing those with undesirable qualities from doing so.

How does DNA behave within a cell? One of DNA’s key relationships is with proteins, as proteins act as middlemen, shuttling messages between DNA and the rest of the body’s systems.

First, what’s a protein? Proteins are large molecules, composed of amino acids. They perform many tasks in an organism, from aiding the process of digestion to battling harmful viruses. Your genes, which “live” on DNA strands, support such tasks by instructing cells to build proteins.

So now we’re familiar with how DNA, through transcription, works to create proteins. DNA also gives itself instructions to replicate constantly, yet it needs help to do so. Here’s how this process works.

When a cell splits in two, each newly created cell must contain the same genetic information as the original cell. Without this information, the cell would not know how to function; it would be like an actor without a script, wandering silently on an empty stage.

Your body is made up of different types of cells that serve a specific function, such as skin cells, muscle cells, liver cells and so on. But how does each cell know exactly which function it should fulfill?

From its DNA, of course! Another of DNA’s many jobs is to tell each cell what to become. Here’s how this fascinating process works.

In the 1970s, geneticists were looking for ways to manipulate DNA. They knew that through recombination, DNA could change – but the natural process itself is slow, requiring multiple generations.

Scientists thus decided to explore whether they could speed this “evolutionary” process up a bit. The question they asked themselves was this: Can science create new genetic combinations in a lab?

So we can read DNA, but what exactly does such genetic information tell us?

A lot, in fact. DNA sequencing can help diagnose certain diseases. By reading a person’s genetic information, we can see where improperly functioning genes are located. These problem points can indicate the potential for disease.

Now we have access to a complete map of the human genome. But what can this information tell us?

For starters, the human genome has shown us the common ancestry of our species.

There are many ways for you as an individual to identify yourself, such as in relation to nationality, religion or class.

But despite changing gender norms, the majority of people still identify as either male or female. This distinction is influenced by genetics – specifically, by one gene in particular.

It’s an age-old question: what makes a person, genetics or the environment?

The nature-versus-nurture debate is a bit more nuanced than proponents of either extreme will admit. The bottom line is that people are born with tendencies and not traits; and it’s only when these tendencies interact with the environment that they become visible traits.

So how can scientists use advanced knowledge of genetics to improve human life?

One promising field is to find ways to cure diseases through gene therapy. Basically, scientists are exploring ways to insert genes into a sick patient to alleviate the symptoms of a disease.

With great knowledge comes tremendous power. How could genetics alter the course of humanity?

Advances in genetics will make it possible to diagnose more diseases. In fact, as genome sequencing progresses, even the most complicated illnesses could become diagnosable and even curable.