Part I – Genetic Fortune Telling: The Great Unraveling
This article is about genes and its possible association to the human behavior. There have been studies that possibly or categorically link DNA to a human’s behavioral and physical being. The possibility of being an alcoholic due to hereditary component, antisocial behavior linking to gene irregularity or extreme sexual aggressiveness which might already be pre encoded in our genes. Findings linking homosexuality and obesity to genes have been identified from earlier studies. Question, are musical artist and serial killers predisposed from birth?
The likelihood of genes affecting not only our physical being but also on how we act and think, seems to point in that direction. A number of diseases such as cancer and the so-called Mendelian disease which can be traced in families somehow apply with a semblance on the behavioral pattern when subjected to stimuli a gene will act on a predisposed behavior.
But it is unlikely as stated by Neil Holtzman, a geneticist that a single gene controls obesity, alcoholism or other behavior since behaviors are highly complex and a number variable pattern affects behavior. As stated, genes are the basic unit of human heredity with each gene responsible in creating a specific protein. This protein is what composes the human body. Almost any cell in the human body is a cell nucleus that defines a person physical characteristic. These genes are contained in chromosomes, which can be viewed using a high power microscope. Note that there are 23 pairs of chromosomes in every cell nucleus that can be separated and identified with a high power microscope. DNA combined with protein composed each of these chromosomes. Using a high power microscope attached to a computer, strands of DNA can be replicated using computer modeling.
The Human Genome Project a three billion undertaking, its purpose, to identify and locate every human gene. And like all huge undertaking this one is without question or even risk. How do we use the power of knowledge in genetic unraveling? As stated in the article, part of that sense of uneasiness lies within the cumulative nature of scientific discovery, wherein you develop the ability to test before you develop the ability to treat. Such complex is the issue that it cannot be fathomed by mere comparison to a situation. How do you tell the people suffering from Alzheimer’s that the genes have been found that will cause the disease even before it manifest or will take years before the disease reveal. And with no treatment available how do you break the news to the person.
And with ability to locate abnormal genes certain number of false negative tests will result in a person having the abnormal genes but most likely are not at risk, which is due to the complexity of genes. And how about positive test, how do you use the information? In summary, what do you do if you can see the future? A Would be potential killer have the same rights and given the treatment of genetic privacy. How about someone genetically predisposed with cancer? Should he be given the same privileges; having the same insurance coverage with someone in perfect health. What do you do with that power?
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