During the past week in science, we learned about the DNA, genes, various genetic diseases and the basic knowledge of DNA in your body. The highlight of our week however was the watching of the film called “Cracking the Code of Life”. This movie was about the human genome project that is a huge accomplishment throughout these years. When it is completed, we could potentially diagnose your lifetime diseases and problems. The movie demonstrates DNA information as well as teaching a moral point. I personally found this movie very interesting and exciting, teaching facts I could of dreamed knowing about. How can a person using the DNA define you? Define your illnesses. I simply was flattered by the fact your DNA could tell your life. However, this movie had some gloomy parts, but of course for the sake of you. I wondered how we could prevent them along the way, but that would eventually just come along with more work. Another aspect I was surprised by is the fact that you can have a possible disease of any of your family did. When this was mentioned, it surprised me, I never knew that diseases are carried or past on from your mother or father. Adding on to “Cracking the Code of Life”, we investigated DNA, mutations and other combining topics. After all, this weeks plan was filled with pumping experiments and projects.
“Cracking the Code of Life” taught me a lot of effective information that will come in handy throughout this unit. To begin with, I definitely learned about the DNA structure and its crucial information. For example, I learned that DNA is found in every cells nucleus and has the letters A, T, C and G. The A and T go together while the C and G connect. In this case, the opposite of T would be A and the opposite of G would be C. Connecting to the letters, we learned about mutations and how they affect a persons life. In this section of the movie I was intrigued on how the mutations form. There are 3 Billion letters in your DNA, and if one is “incorrect” a disease is likely to strike you. That is what the human genome project is all about; finding those errors so we can tell which disease is which. I was told to look at that one letter as a slant in the train tracks. If there is one problem, the whole train will fall, causing great danger. Secondly, I learned about DNA in your nucleus and how some of them are turned off in specific parts of your body. For example, the gene that resembles eyes is turned off in your skin cells. Due to that, you do not have eyes on your hands. This really fascinated me; I never knew that DNA was that complex and hard to understand. 3 Billion Letters that resemble your life and possible diseases. Along with all the useful information, some of the movie really confused. For example, I was confused when the two companies emerged. I did not comprehend whether the two companies were rivals or associates. The second part I did not comprehend is how their machines work and what they do to find these hidden secrets. Their machinery was obviously very deep and complex, but I did not understand how they worked. Overall, this movie was a crucial stage in my genetic understanding. Without it, I would not be to the stage I am at now. It surely taught me a lot of interesting information and surely blistered my curiosity on genetics.
For the last part of my essay, Mrs. M gave us three questions that will fulfill our conclusion.
- Sequencing the human genome may bring to light a number of genes that are the basis for known genetic diseases or that predispose a person to a condition such as heart disease, cancer, or Alzheimer’s disease. Yet finding a gene for an illness many not lead to an immediate cure. Would you want to be tested to learn whether they had a genetic disease or predisposition if no cure was available? Why or why not?
I personally would like to get tested, because I believe that everyone has a right to know what is in their future. I would rather know if I’m expected to get a disease, which I’m not, than get it in the last second and wonder what it is. At that stage it would be a stage of panic than smooth treatment. Even if you potentially found out right now, a cure could be found and your disease could be prevented. When you put everything together, I would surely get checked, I would want to be aware of my future
- Consider a scenario in which lab needs DNA samples for use in genetic testing studies. Researchers are searching for a variant of a gene that provides resistance to specific bacterial diseases. If the company finds this gene, it may be able to reproduce a drug to sell to people who have these diseases. Would you agree to have you DNA be part of the study? Why or why not? Would you want royalties for your part in finding the gene? What if during the testing, the company discovered you had a gene that might result in a health problem later in life? Would you want to be informed? Why or why not?
As I said in the first question, I would give my DNA for testing. I would the first one in line to help the world, and save many lives. My DNA would surely be given, in hope for the best results and cures. If the cures were potentially found, I would surely ask for honor and royalties. Without my DNA, they could not have done and I surely need to be honored for that gift. After all, my entire DNA was a huge part in that experiment. Even if they discovered a possible disease, I would not be gloomy but well aware of what going to happen in my life. It better to know in advance and possibly find a cure, than to find out later in life and evoke panic. As I said earlier, I would surely want to be informed and be aware of my life.
- As more is learned about genes, there is a risk that the information will be used to define certain members of society by their genetic makeup. Identify the meaning of the terms genetic discrimination and genetic privacy. What are some ways to protect against this type of genetic discrimination?
Genetic discrimination and genetic privacy are two common aspects of genetics. However, we are trying to enforce genetic privacy rather than destroy genetic discrimination. When you look at it, genes are what describe you as a person. It is your own confidential file. You do not want anything to look through it, just you and trustful people. However, someone might sneak into them. You do not surely want this to happen. That is an example of genetic discrimination. The only way to stop it is with security. Your file is for you only, a personal document, a whole lifetime worth of. Genetic privacy is what you want, to feel safe in your surroundings. Over all, there are many ways to stop discrimination, privacy is what you desire.
