DNA The magical molecule of life

Controls all life processes Trait expressed is controlled by GENES GENES are determined by the order of base pairs in the gene Bases that form the pairs are : –(A) Adenine –(T) Thymine –(C) Cytosene –(G) Guanine

The order of nucleotides determines the protein desired Similar to train and its cars –Many individual AMINO ACIDS –Each amino acid is a car of the train –Coded for by the nucleotides –Proteins are formed in the RIBOSOMES

Human Genome Project Map the entire Human Genomic code –How do you find a phone number? Now that we know where the genes are and what letters that make them up: –Gene therapies –Gene manipulation Improving that which already exist “Fix” broken genes Improve “imperfect” genes

Already happening Seen in medicine: –Insulin production Seen in Agriculture: –“seedless” –Desired traits into vulnerable plants Arctic flounder gene in oranges Seen in animals: –Cross-breeding/selective breeding Killer bees

What about humans? Already testing therapies What about allowing the manipulation of some desirable genes? –Intelligence –Artistic capabilities –Height/eye color/hair color –Athletic abilities What do you think may result from this as a society if we allow this to happen? –What about the people that are NOT selected?