Behavioural genetics

When it comes to determining the ethicality for a human being to alter a fellow human’s DNA in the hopes of eradicating genetic disorders, every individual is going to have a different opinion on the matter. This idea is observed in the two articles; “Gene Therapy: Human Germline Genetic Modifications– Assessing the Scientific, Socio-ethical and Religious Issues” by Qiana Matthews, PhD and David Curiel, MD, PhD and “Gene Therapy: Theoretical and Bioethics Concepts” written by Kevin Smith, PhD.…

Human genetic engineering is the process by which scientists and medical experts alter the DNA of a living, human cell. Human genetic engineering essentially has two basic forms: somatic and germline. Somatic engineering targets specific genes within the body without affecting the genes in the eggs or sperm. The objective of this type of human genetic engineering is to treat an existing condition. The important aspect of this is that it does not alter the individual´s entire genetic makeup. The…

choice” is a phrase that is often used by right-wing conservatives, but what if it isn’t so. Is it possible that the “gay gene” that causes humans to have same sex attraction exists in conjunction with pheromones? It is possible for there to be some genetic factor with pheromones that causes homosexuality at a minor scale compared to heterosexuality. Pheromones in humans have long been a mysterious concept with little evidence to prove, although it is present in other animals of the animal…

The famous discussion of nature vs. nurture was somewhat interrupted by the realization that both aspects, genetics and environment, have important input in individuals. By combining the studies of genetics and psychology it is possible to correlate results from the fields and search for possible, and hopefully specific, genes involved in the expression of certain traits. For instance, Poulin et al (2011) explored the relationship between receptor genes of oxytocin and vasopressin and prediction…

Heredity and Evolutionary Theory Charles Darwin, a naturalist and geologist held the belief that all living things share a common ancestor. This statement is in relation to his contributed Theory of Evolution that has greatly impacted the world’s view about the human originates. Evolution is defined as change over time and according to Darwin, this process of which all diverse kinds of living organisms have developed into their own branches is due to natural selection which grants the organism…

or similar characteristics that the owner wished for from past generations. The discovery of genetics was do to the extensive experimentation and studies of Gregor Mendel on various pea plants. Decades later after Mendel’s brilliant discovery, scientists continued to learn more about genetics and came to uncover the process of altering genes. This process became widely known as genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the process of altering genes of an organism or mixing the genes of…

Mathew Sarsfield Miss Cooper Senior Project 4 May 2014 The Morality of Genetic Engineering In 2002, a lesbian couple tried to conceive a child who was deaf. Being deaf themselves, they wanted to have a child that shared their disability because they did not view deafness as a disability, but rather as a gift. They had previously succeeded in having a deaf daughter, and were trying to have a son this time. Since they could not have a child themselves, they looked toward a friend who had many…

been an emergence of neurological changes such as autism and hyperactivity that might not be an abnormality, but an evolution of the brain. Like Enriquez, I believe that science and technology is developing at a rate that humanity is not ready for. Genetic mapping and recreation has the potential to be beneficial but it could also be detrimental and only time can demonstrate how future generations will appear and whether or not society can support these rapid developments.…

Transforming Genetic Material To E. Coli Using Plasmids Proteins are created within the body through a process known as central dogma. This process is the transcription of DNA to RNA and the translation of RNA to proteins. The type of protein created relies on what type of messenger RNA or mRNA that was produced during the transcription of DNA. In our experiment, we looked at the specific LacZ gene that codes for beta-galactosidase, which is a protein/enzyme that can break down lactose into its…

which is also known as interbreeding between humans, when two humans, for example, brother and sister decide to have a child, or any two people related in any way decide to have a child, run the risk of their child potentially inheriting a recessive genetic…