14 The Gene: An Intimate History

Gregory Stock, in his article Choosing Our Genes, asserts that at this point not ethics are important, but rather the future of genetic technology. Stock supports his conclusion by providing powerful examples of how genetic modifications can benefit our population anywhere from correcting genes at the time of conception to extending lifespan. He wants to inform his audience about all of the benefits of genetic technology in order to prove that there are way more advantages in this technology that are highly desirable by people of different ages. He reaches his readers by writing a very detailed yet coherent article that brings awareness to various groups of people from parents to be to older populations.

Genetics can help answer questions about our traits and why we look different and advance in different ways from each other in the world. Chapter 1 explains the basics about how genes work, and the portrayal of DNA and RNA. Chapter 2 describes RNA more in detail and it consist of the explanation of the human genome. Specifically, Chapter 3 clarifies how evolution works and how it relates to genetic and medical research. Furthermore, Chapter 4 and 5 explains the knowledge researchers have about genes role in health and diseases, and how society is affected with the advances in medicine and science given approximate credit to these researchers.

Genetics is a field of science that has long been studied, but researchers and scientists have discovered a new branch that changes the way genetics and evolution has been looked at before. Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi skillfully describe this new subject in their book Super Genes. The book includes information on the history and discoveries of epigenetics, the changes the readers can make to unlock and harness the power of their genes, and the research and experiments that prove the benefits of those changes. Ultimately, the purpose of Super Genes is to inform the readers that they can control their own genes, despite preceding understandings of biological destinies, by making favorable lifestyle choices that leans towards the state of optimum health and well being.

The DNA Mystique looks into the power of the gene in today’s society. Dorothy Nelkin and Susan Lindee (1995) describe the evolution of the gene as a cultural icon. Society puts a huge emphasis on understanding everyday behavior and the “secret of life” through genetic essentialism. According to Nelkin and Lindee genetic essentialism “reduces the self to a molecular entity, equating human beings, in all their social, historical, and moral complexity, with their genes” (p. 337). DNA is used as a way to define the individual’s true self and understand the evolution of a person’s identity. Nelkin and Lindee discuss the intersection of science and popular culture to shape the cultural meaning of the gene (p. 338). They lay out a timeline of genetic mapping and the use of genome research to determine future outcomes.

Barbara McClintock was born on June 16, 1902, in Hartford, Connecticut (Tracy). When she was born, the terms “gene” or “genetics” did not exist (Keller 1). Yet, by the time she was finished with her work, advanced terms in genetics, such as “transposable elements” had come about. McClintock was born to Thomas and Sara McClintock. Thomas came from a poor background but became a doctor. He also had an interest in science, which may have been where Barbara’s interest originated (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica). In contrast, Sara McClintock came from a much wealthier, more prestigious background; her ancestors could be traced to Pilgrims on the Mayflower (Tracy). After her marriage, Sara, who became a mother of four, was a piano teacher to bring in more money for the family. At the age of three, Barbara was sent to live with her aunt and uncle for three years (Tracy). She enjoyed her time with the extended family and returned to Thomas and Sara after three years

The Human Genome Project is possibly the most important project in the world. Several companies and governments are involved with this project. The project has many goals but the main general goal is: "to construct a detailed genetic and physical map of the human Genome, to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of human DNA, to localize the estimated 50,000-100,000 genes within the human Genome, and to perform similar analyses on the Genomes of several other organisms used extensively in research laboratories as model systems."1 There are a lot of conflicting points regarding these experiments. Some of which could be the ethical problem of engineering a perfect race. Once we can read our own DNA it is just a little amount of time before we can write new DNA. This paper will cover the goals of the project, how they impact human society, as well as side issues that may come from this knowledge.

In order to understand Germany’s widespread acceptance of the 1933 Law for Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring and the subsequent implementation of the T4 euthanasia program in 1939, it is necessary to discuss the scientific origins of eugenics. Within this discussion, a distinction must also be made between genetics and eugenics. German scientist Gregor Mendel is known to be the father of genetics. Between the years 1856 to 1863, he conducted groundbreaking research on the inheritance of plant hybrids. While the importance of Mendel’s work was not realized until sixteen years after his death in 1884, he has since been credited for his role in discovering the statistical laws of heredity; from which it was concluded that genetic traits could be transferred from one generation to the next. Following Mendel’s death, the principles outlined in his laws of heredity continued to serve as a reference point for scientific scholars, including Nazi physicians whom often cited Mendelian law in their justifications for sterilization and euthanasia.

His work made it possible for the first time to exploit the genetic resources of organisms systematically. Mendel's name marks not only the beginning of genetics as a discipline, but also the beginning of the systematic use of mathematics, qualified measurements and applied statistics in biology.

3. Carlson, Elof Axel. Mendel's Legacy: The Origin of Classical Genetics. Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2004. Print

Genetics is the study of heredity and variation in living organisms. biological Anthropology looks at how biological traits from one generation to the next get passed along. The article describes gene therapy and human genetic engineering as an evolution indicating that by allowing tools such as gene therapy we underestimate the amount of influence it may have on our species. The gene therapy has helped human species develop and understand more about viruses and and certain diseases that have developed and evolved throughout evolution. Genetics also helps understand what humans have in common and what distinctive from other species. “Biological adaptations is the process in which humans, as both individuals and groups, develop biological characteristics that relate to environmental conditions”

The development of what constitutes as a gene began with the experiments by Gregor Mendel in 1865 identifying the process of heredity to determine trait variation. Crossing and breading of the pea plants led to the discovery of dominant and recessive traits, heterozygotic and homozygotic inheritance, and the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of an individual. His experiments challenged the previous hypothesis that characteristics were inherited from parents and blended to result in the observed characteristic. (Mendel, 1866) In light of Mendel’s paper, Wilhelm Johannsen coined the name ‘Gene’ in 1909,

Though the course of history a few very important experiments have occurred which have changed the way we understand genetics and heritability. The work of Gregor Mendel laid the foundation of our understanding of genes and

Today, I am going to tell you about a very important man in health care history. This man’s name is Gregory Mendel. Gregory Mendel is known as the “father of modern genetics.” I’ll explain why a little later. For now, let’s find out more about Gregory Mendel.

In this paper I will be talking about Gregor Johann Mendel, who revolutionized the way we think about DNA, heredity, and of course genetics. His early life, discovers, and education will be talked about in this paper. His influence on biology will be mentioned in this paper as well.

Gregor Johann Mendel was a scientist, Augustinian friar and an abbot of St. Thomas’ Abbey in Brno, Margraviate of Moravia. He was born on July 20, 1822 and died on January 6, 1884 at the age of 61. He was Austrian and was the child of Anton and Rosine Mendel along with two other siblings. He studied in the field of genetics at two universities and one institution and is known for creating the science of genetics.