DNA TESTING
                                          What you need to know

 

Human Genetics Is A Lot More Than Cloning!

Human genetics is usually referred to as their DNA or their chromosomes. DNA has been analyzed for many years now but still remains a great mystery.


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Scientists guess we have around 25,000 genes in our DNA. Genes are responsible for many of our traits. The easiest to notice are physical traits. If your parents both have brown hair, and their parents had brown hair, you will have brown hair. But, one of your grandmothers had blonde hair, even if both your parents have brown hair, there is a 25% chance you will be blonde. It sounds complicated but it really isn't.

These genes are usually classified as dominant and recessive. Brown hair and eyes are dominant over blonde hair and eyes, unattached earlobes are dominant over attached earlobes. This pattern permeates much of our genetic make up.

The advancements in understanding human genetics are growing at an amazing pace. Just 20 years ago, there wasn't much information available on genes and DNA or ways to map it and find out what it is responsible for. With the newer technology, we are getting to a point where we will soon have every gene mapped and identified and learn to make cures and treatments for all kinds of diseases that are based on genetic information passed down the generations. A great deal of this has been done already but we are gaining new ground all the time. Pretty soon you will be able to go to your doctor and if you have a particular disorder, he might offer gene therapy as a safe alternative to surgery, chemotherapy, or drugs. These advancements offer many people who suffer from inherited genetic disorders a great amount of hope. There are many charities and grants that give money to organizations focused on finding treatments for specific things such as breast cancer.

Cloning was a huge news topic just a few years ago. The advancements in human genetics lead to much controversy between different groups of people with varied beliefs and moral codes. Some people view cloning as an abomination while others see a giant potential that could be used in all types of medical procedures. Other controversy stems from genetically picking and choosing traits that your children could have. This is viewed as attempting to create a super race of people and is looked down upon by many. On the other hand, if you could give your child an advantage over others in this competitive world, why not take it? These questions are debated constantly and you can form your own opinion on genetic manipulation.

The only way we can move is forward when it comes to human genetics. The more we learn about what makes us what we are, the more we can accomplish. Diseases and disorders will start disappearing as their secrets are unraveled and scientists find new treatments.