Summary Sharon Moalem, the author of Inheritance, is a geneticist who through the penning of this novel, effectively educated readers in the field of genetics and revealed connections between inheritance and epigenetics. Throughout the novel, He used several distinct phenomena to illustrate the importance of what people inherit and how life experience can change genes. He shows readers the importance of what they inherit by showing how what you inherit can help or hurt you. The first example of this that he uses is that our diet should be shaped by what our ancestors ate because we essentially inherit what they ate. He illustrates this phenomenon by showing how Asians are more likely to be lactose intolerant because their ancestors did not raise livestock. The next example is …show more content…
that some people have a little more or less DNA that they inherit which can be deadly when taken with certain medications. He illustrates this by showing how a girl named Megan died because she had 3 CYP2D6 genes which made her metabolize codeine into morphine. He then explains how sometimes insurance companies will exploit your genome and discriminate policies against you, showing that what you inherit can hurt you. Finally, he shows how gender identity can be altered when someone inherits mutations on either the X or Y chromosome. He also shows readers how life experience changes genes. The first example of this is that due to genetic variability certain factors can turn on and off our genes. He shows this by explaining how if bees eat royal jelly, their Dnmt3 gene will be turned off, and they will become a queen bee. The next example he uses is that our bones turn on genes to make them stronger when we repeat the same exercise. He then uses the example of how what people inherit is shaped by their ancestors by showing how the Sherpa inherit a change in the EPAS1 gene which increases oxygen transmission. He concludes the novel by stating how those with rare genetic disorders can help the unaffected population because their condition can allow for the creation of a drug that can help the general population suffering from a non-genetic but symptomatically similar condition. Ideas/Issues/Controversy in the Novel With the creation of this novel, Moalem addressed a wide range of ideas, issues, and controversies that help us better understand the complexity of the field of genetics and how sometimes issues and controversies arise from what geneticists may find in their research and the ideas they propose. The most prominent example of this is throughout the novel, Moalem disproves the ideas of Gregor Mendel who said, “our genetic legacy was completely fixed when our parents conceived us” (Moalem, 2015, p. x). This presents an issue in the novel because many scientists and geneticists follow the studies of Mendel, so the new research that Moalem (and seemingly other geneticists) have proposed creates a problem because some scientists may not be aware of the new field of epigenetics which puts them at a disadvantage.
Moalem even goes on to say that “if our ancestors went through it and survived, we’ve inherited it” (2015, p. xi). This further disproves the Mendelian theory because Moalem says that genes are in a constant stage of change and that those changes are permanent and transmissible to other generations. This can be a controversial topic because there is no consensus to whether this phenomenon actually occurs. Another major conflict that Moalem addresses in Inheritance is the issue of people who essentially want to “hack your genome”. What he means by this is people, companies, and governments that want to use your genes to discriminate against you. For example, Moalem reveals, “insurance companies have free reign to use that genetic information against us when they determine the premiums they will charge us for disability and life insurance” (2015, p. 165). This essentially means that they
can discriminate against you genetically if you are predisposed to a certain condition. This is an extremely controversial issue because this loophole in Obamacare essentially allows for these insurance companies to create a “genetically inferior” class that can get charged more for life and disability insurance. Moalem even goes on to reveal that hackers from major universities can hack into medical records and trace an anonymous genealogical history to a person through recreational genealogy websites. This garners more controversy because there are people working for these insurance companies exploiting your private genetic information. An issue that Moalem delves into in the novel is how humans hurt their DNA. He provides a list of seemingly normal activities to do during a vacation, but he says, “everything on that list can damage your DNA” (Moalem, 2015, p. 172). This is a huge issue because a seemingly normal activity like air travel or drinking a daiquiri isn’t expected to damage DNA, but it does. This can create mutations and possibly predispose people to cancer which is a dangerous and deadly disease. Another controversy that Moalem brings up is disorders of sex development. These conditions can “result in a significant amount of ambiguity in [a person’s] outer genitalia” (Moalem, 2015, p. 180). The traditional medical knowledge is that XY means male and XX means female. However, Moalem indeed proves this to not be the case. He reveals that sometimes a male can have an XX chromosome, but develops as a male because he inherits a region of the Y chromosome called SRY. This is controversial because even though genetically a male might be female, a mutation can cause him to be male. In a society that revolves around gender identity, this is especially controversial because a person may not know which gender to truly identify with. The final controversy Moalem addresses in his novel is that of parents administering GH to their children in order for them to become taller. GH can cause the body to release IGF-1 which promotes the growth and survival of cells. However, GH can also “inhibit apoptosis- cellular suicide - and in the case of a group of cells gone rogue that could be dangerous. Or even deadly” (Moalem, 2015, p. 220). This is a huge controversy because parents who are administering GH to their children for increased height may be increasing their child’s risk of cancer, and the worst part is: they don’t even know! Moalem’s novel garners a wide variety of issues and controversy surrounding the ideas he and other geneticists have proposed. Biological Concepts Moalem introduces and immerses us into the world of genetics in Inheritance. Throughout the novel, he explains genetic concepts in a way that is easy for a reader to understand and follow. He first defines the meaning of inheritance, the main focus, and title for the novel, as “ a predictable matter of the genes we’ve inherited from previous generations” (Moalem, 2015, p. x). However, he then shows us how common definitions such as the one previously stated are not completely correct, and he introduces us to the concept of epigenetics. This is “the study of how genetic traits can change and be changed within a single generation and be passed down to the next as well” (Moalem, 2015, p. 6). These two biological concepts are the main topics and arguments Moalem uses throughout the novel. An interesting biological concept arising from inheritance is variable genetic expressivity. Variable genetic expressivity is the possibility of an inherited genetic trait having a variety of different symptoms, depending on the individual who inherited the trait. Thus, a child may show different symptoms than their parents who have the same genetic disorder. Another interesting concept Moalem introduces is methylation, and it is tied to epigenetics. Methylation is when a compound composed of Hydrogen and Carbon attaches to DNA and “alters the genetic structure in such a way as to program our cells to be what they’re supposed to be and do what they’re supposed to do” (Moalem, 2015, p. 51). This is interesting because it shows how our genes are constantly changing and being turned off and on. Another biological concept is the concept of anticipation which relates to inheritance. Anticipation is when repeats in a gene for Huntington’s increases through the generation. This is interesting because it shows how you inherit what happens in your parent’s genes. Moalem introduces a wide array of other biological concepts, but the aforementioned concepts are among the most important to both inheritance and epigenetics. Moalem effectively educated readers on genetics through the use of these biological concepts.
...hich inherited traits, such as those for genetic disease, can be tracked over generations. Throughout out the course of human development, scientists will continue to find new new ways to help the human race through the discovery of the human gene inside of each of us, its uses, as well as complications, that can help the survival of our species.
Ernest J. Gaines stated, “That 's man 's way. To prove something. Day in, day out he must prove he is a man...” Gaines states this quote from his novel The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, which he publishes in 1971 just a few years after the ending of The Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement, also known as “The African American Civil Rights Movement”, was a battle started between the society and the African-American race for racial equality, acceptance, and respect as it was given to the Whites. However, the ongoing battle for blacks to obtain these expectations from society lasted for years, and would often force some blacks to separate themselves from the entire race and propose their worthiness of respect and manhood to society by proving and earning it as an individual instead of waiting for it to be handed to the entire race.
Teenage rebellion is typically portrayed in stories, films, and other genres as a testosterone-based phenomenon. There is an overplayed need for one to acknowledge a boy’s rebellion against his father, his life direction, the “system,” in an effort to become a man, or rather an adult. However, rarely is the female addressed in such a scenario. What happens when little girls grow up? Do they rebel? Do they, in a sudden overpowering rush of estrogen, deny what has been taught to them from birth and shed their former youthful façades? Do they turn on their mothers? In Sharon Olds’ poem, “The Possessive,” the reader is finally introduced to the female version of the popular coming-of-age theme as a simple haircut becomes a symbol for the growing breach between mother and daughter through the use of striking images and specific word choice.
The ethics behind genetic engineering have been discussed and argued for years now. Some arguing points often include competitive advantages, playing God, and the polarization of society, but Sandel takes a different approach in explaining society’s “unease” with the morality of genetic engineering. Broadcasted through several examples throughout the book, Sandel explains that genetic engineering is immoral because it takes away what makes us human and makes us something else. He states that by taking control of our genetic makeup, or the makeup of our progeny, we lose our human dignity and humility. Our hunger for control will lead to the loss of appreciation for natural gifts, whether they are certain talents, inherited from the genetic lottery, or the gift of life itself.
This is the natural fallacy genetic engineering creates in the new world seen in Gattaca. We know this because in the film the main character, Vincent, who uses another man named Jerome Morrow’s D.N.A and identity to rise up the ranks within Gattaca’s staff. He does this because genetic engineering pre-determines every aspect of one’s life that is scientifically possible. This would include diseases, life expectancy, cause of death, jobs/careers you can have and even who you should marry all from a sample of blood given when first born. Vincent’s D.N.A to others deemed him chronically ill, making him invalid, meaning that there would be very little opportunities for him in life; though he felt he can do things just as well as anyone. It is in Gattaca that we can look at genetic engineering as determining one’s instrumental worth to
“The term “nature versus nurture” is used to refer to a long-running scientific debate. The source of debate is the question of which has a greater influence on development: someone's innate characteristics provided by genetics, or someone's environment. In fact, the nature versus nurture debate has been largely termed obsolete by many researchers, because both innate characteristics and environment play a huge role in development, and they often intersect”. (Smith, 2010 p. 1)
The first argument given for the obligation of genetic enhancement is the postulate of the “Neglectful Parents”. Savulescu considers the case of two types of parents, the neglectful parents and the lazy parents. Neglectful parents have a child that has a condition wherein a simple, cheap dietary supplement must be given so that the child maintains an advanced intellect.... ... middle of paper ... ... World Health Organization.
Every individual has a biological influence on their development; two individuals combine their genetic information to create a new organism, carrying biological predispositions that will shape their expressed behaviors and characteristics. However, Susan Griffin, author of the essay “Our Secret,” argues that while genetic influences are significant, they are not the sole contributors to an individual’s development. Throughout her essay, Griffin reveals to her readers that the presence of external, uncontrollable factors from an individual’s environment can be equally influential as they diverge the individual off of the predetermined path of life created by biological factors.
Steen, R. Grant. DNA and Destiny: Nurture and Nature in Human Behavior. New York: Plenum Press, 1996.
In 1874, Francis Galton said, “Nature is all that a man brings with him into the world; nurture is every influence that affects him after his birth”. The human body contains millions upon millions of cells and each of these cells contains hereditary information and DNA. However, there is no proof that the information carried in these genes predetermines the way in which we behave. I believe it is our life experiences and what we see and are told that shape the way in which we behave. Therefore, it appears to me that nurturing plays a far more governing and dominant role in a human being’s development rather than nature.
Genetic testing has become very popular as technology has improved, and has opened many doors in the scientific community. Genetic testing first started in 1866 by a scientist known as, Gregor Mendel, when he published his work on pea plants. The rest was history after his eyes opening experiments on pea plants. However, like any other scientific discovery, it bought conflicts which caused major controversies and a large population disagreed with the concept of playing with the genetic codes of human beings. Playing God was the main argument that people argument that people had against genetics. genetic testing became one of the major conflicts conflicts to talk about, due to the fact that parents could now have the option of deciding if they
In conclusion, genetics play an important role in the development of a child in light of the transfer of genes from parents to offspring. Even though a child inherits several genes from the two parents, his/her ability to express these factors is dependent on gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Therefore, a child’s growth and development is not only influenced by hereditary factors but also determined by environmental influences.
Genetics and Epigenetics. Based on your readings, please explain how you think: 1.1: Genetics and Epigenetics affect us, as persons This week’s readings explain that the study of human genetics helps us to better understand the biological basis that contributes to certain behaviours in us. Pg 76 I think that genetics provides some credible explanations as to how our brain hormone and cells with genetic codes are expressed in our behaviour every minute or hour of the day in our emotions and thoughts and reactions to what we do or happens around us. For example, the range of reaction concepts, make people better understand that the environment interacts with our genes to determine to what extent we are able to maximize on our in-born potential
achieving and future were another thing that tested out to be largely due to heredity and
Heredity Versus Environment - The Nature-nurture Controversy, Exploring Heredity And Environment: Research Methods, Beyond Heritability