DNA. The topic of the 21st century.For those not of the science background, DNA is seen as the ultimate genetic makeup of the human body- essentially, what makes us, US. They cringe at the mere mention of genetic manipulation, stem cell research, bad bacteria mutating into a man-made monster, and mad scientists creating the ultimate virus/cure for cancer in an underground lab.
Greenpeace, Green Party, and many other "green-loving" organisations bash anything that has to do with genetic engineering/manipulation. They go to the extreme of pulling out genetically engineered crops from plantations, or the not-so-extreme of advertising no-GE foodstuffs. They claim that as scientists manipulate and mutate organisms, we are acting as God- defying nature.
Those having at least some science background know DNA as being made up of the 4 bases- A, C, T, and G. These four simple bases are linked together in different arrangements, forming stretches of bases which get transcribed and translated into functional products = genes. Mutations in some genes lead to cancer, diseases, etc.
The story started with these 2 guys, Watson and Crick. The race to solve the structure of DNA was won by them. Since then, DNA has been portrayed as the double helix.
Greenpeace, Green Party, and many other "green-loving" organisations bash anything that has to do with genetic engineering/manipulation. They go to the extreme of pulling out genetically engineered crops from plantations, or the not-so-extreme of advertising no-GE foodstuffs. They claim that as scientists manipulate and mutate organisms, we are acting as God- defying nature.
Those having at least some science background know DNA as being made up of the 4 bases- A, C, T, and G. These four simple bases are linked together in different arrangements, forming stretches of bases which get transcribed and translated into functional products = genes. Mutations in some genes lead to cancer, diseases, etc.
The story started with these 2 guys, Watson and Crick. The race to solve the structure of DNA was won by them. Since then, DNA has been portrayed as the double helix.
Then we started seeing DNA everywhere...In architecture,
...in books/movies,
...and even in cellphones
...and as the symbol of my favourite tv show, Heroes
... and just recently, TIME magazine has announced the retail DNA test, 23andMe, as the 2008 invention of the year. For just US$399 and a tube of saliva, testing results can tell you whether you're more susceptible to over 90 types of cancers and diseases.
I personally think the idea is of pure genius. Such a simple concept, but it's one of a kind in the market. It became quite controversial, of course, with people worrying about how a person's privacy can be kept, and of the various ethical issues related with inherited diseases.
I can't wait till the day when $1000 is all we need to get our genome sequenced.
***I can't believe I just blogged about DNA. This is what studying too much has done to me. =P
I personally think the idea is of pure genius. Such a simple concept, but it's one of a kind in the market. It became quite controversial, of course, with people worrying about how a person's privacy can be kept, and of the various ethical issues related with inherited diseases.
I can't wait till the day when $1000 is all we need to get our genome sequenced.
***I can't believe I just blogged about DNA. This is what studying too much has done to me. =P
0 comments:
Post a Comment