Genes and Their Control Over Humans Essay - 810 Words

Genes and Their Control Over Humans They (genes) are in you and me; they created us, body and mind This statement by Richard Dawkins poses the question of how much and in what way our genes control us, whether they are responsible for our hereditary features only, or for all behavior and environmental aspects of our persona. A reductionist view implies that only specific tasks are carried out by the genes.We know that most genes synthesize for proteins, these being chains of sub units, or amino acids (a.a) which in turn form the bases of RNA ( ribonucleic acid) to determine the sequence of the a.a by means of the genetic code. This process dictates whether the protein made will†¦show more content†¦It was at this point that Gregor Mendels work, on the theory of heredity, was revived. This formed the basis of all future genetic studies. Mendel had suggested that an individuals characteristics were determined by inherited factors. This finding was proved to be correct when later microscopes were able to show proof that these factors, known now alleles, could be related to the actions of the chromosomes, the carriers of genes, during meiosis. Thus, the theory that genes were the basis of all biological characteristics of inheritance became accepted. Both Mendel and Darwin have presented their theories from a reductionist viewpoint. Dawkins statement from The Selfish Gene would appear to give an holistic viewpoint by including the psychological, as well as biological, aspect of gene control. 2 To decide whether this is the viewpoint being put forward it is necessary to investigate known causes of gene manipulation. This would encompass every factor of nature and nurture, from genetic inheritance; be it eye or hair colour, or diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Huntingtons chorea or haemophilia. Cystic fibrosis is an example of an autosomal recessive alteration within a single gene, this gene has been identified as lying on chromosome number 7. Huntingtons chorea meanwhile, although again arising from anShow MoreRelatedGene Expression : The Consequences Of Human DNA And Human Genes1345 Words   |  6 Pages Human DNA is found in 23 pairs of chromosomes and within these chromosomes are sections of DNA called genes. Genes make up the physical traits inherited and expressed from mom and dad. When the DNA found within these genes provides genetic instructions to encode proteins or other molecules, this is called gene expression. Gene expression is the process by which genetic information stored in a gene dictates a cells function. 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