Bio-Notes 28 July '05
DNA testing of suspect fur may tell once and for all if Sasquatch lives among us.
Leeches are back in business. Pointer to this topic from the July 25 edition of NewYorker (long) article, Bloodsuckers, by John Colapinto.
Why "No Sweat" is not a comforting reassurance. (I'm a non-sweater, so I don't do heat. Not without whining, that is.) We're not home free on the heat and humidity yet. This article has some pointers for staying cool, plus the physiology behind your heat-regulating biology--or lack thereof.
And lastly, a video link I strongly suggest you watch--if for no other reason than the wonderful way complex and inaccessible material can be made entertaining and comprehensible to the lay public. If you watch this little video, you'll likely look back in five years and say "That weblink on Fragments was the first time I heard about RNI-i. Now, it's a household word." PBS Link, thanks to Fragments reader Eric, this fifteen-minute video narrated by Robert Krolwitch, describes what promises to be one of the most important discoveries of our times: the key to locking down undesirable genes associated with major diseases. And as you learn at the end of the film, RNA-i will also allow us to selectively suppress one gene at a time, possibly ultimately in every organism on the planet, to inventory gene function of life on earth. And all this from some very basic science problems related to petunia breeding. This will be a great investment of our time and attention in class next month.
Homework: give the scientific equivalent for 1) the scribes; 2) the castle; 3) the chefs; and 4) the policeman. You will receive a grade on this assignment. And don't tell me the dog ate it.
Comments
I saw this too and it set me to thinking; if we turn off undesirable genes will we begin to limit the gene pool? What happens to the next generation of humans bearing the turned-off genes?
Will our genetic "engine" adapt and create new genes or mutations. As any gardener knows, all plants, genetically engineered or not produce "sports" that are nothing like their parents.
I don't think we understand enough about the human genome "instruction set" to tinker with it just yet.
However, it is fascinating and exciting that we may be on to something that could render vaccines unnecessary as well as "cure" genetic diseases.
Krolwitch has a terrific job, don't you think?
Posted by: bj | August 2, 2005 1:06 PM