Have you ever wondered where you come from or how it is that your parents made you? Well, the amazing concept of genetics can answer both questions.
Genetics is the study of heredity of genes. Genetics is like the manual to all of life from giving us explanations on why there are genetic mutations that cause certain diseases to having the ability to modify the genetic codes of strawberries to prevent rapid decay and enjoy those amazing strawberry-Nutella crepes!
In my AP bio class, we dove further into understanding the concept of genetics by watching the documentary, Cracking Your Genetic Code, by Nova PBS. The documentary brings up many important factors surrounding genetics such as the future of genetics and the information genetics can provide on future or current diseases or illnesses. Check out the trailer to the documentary below!
What I found interesting was how companies such as 23 and Me are using new genetic technologies to provide people easy access to reading one’s own genetic code. Prior to watching the documentary, I was aware of 23 and Me and I knew the controversy that surrounds the company. After viewing the documentary, I have become more aware of the fact that while the reading of my genetic code could be available to me, companies such as 23 and Me do not provide me a reading of all of my DNA but rather snipes of my code. I was amazed by the medical cases that were brought to the documentary about patients with illnesses such as CF and cancer that were being treated by medicine based on genetic testing. Genetics today has provided much light to the medical world by identifying the genetic mutations that are causing deadly illnesses like CF and cancer.
I am more than excited to continue to explore the world of genetics in my AP biology class. I hope that by the end, I will have a master understanding of genetics and will finally be able to answer the question who am I?
Works Cited
YouTube, YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPzid88oSFc.Winchester, A.M. “Genetics.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 14 Nov. 2019, http://www.britannica.com/science/genetics.
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