The Discovery of DNA

734 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The importance of DNA in the human cell

DNA – the very molecule that defines who we are. It is still fascinating that a molecule that is so small that is not visible to the naked eye determines not just our physical appearance but also our mental wellbeing. Over 60 years, the discovery of the double helix DNA had impacted various fields relating to Biology and Chemistry, contributing to the advancement of technology and subsequently mankind too.
The discovery of DNA had opened up many opportunities in the field of genetics. By analysis a DNA of an individual, we are able to diagnose diseases that are hereditary at an early stage. Genetic diseases are diseases that arise from one or more abnormalities in a genotype (or genotypes) (Elston, 311). Genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia and Down syndrome could not only just be detected, but predicted from the parents. Parents could be potential carriers, although not affected by the genetic disease, but still carry the gene of the disease, and could potentially pass it down to their children (Watson, 335). Through genetic testing, we could detect flaws in our genes that may potentially be passed down to our future generations and take the necessary precautions to minimize the impact of the genetic diseases, or optimally, removing the risk of having the disease completely.
DNA plays the important role as a biological identification. According to Norah Rudin, through a series of experiments in the 1900s, it is found that DNA, similar to a fingerprint, are unique. No two DNA are alike, which makes it perfect for identification, hence the term “DNA fingerprinting” (7). Through a small amount of DNA, we are able to identify an individual through comparing with other DNAs. Criminal justice systems all around the world had ...

... middle of paper ...

...avr Savr, a type of tomato that has a longer shelf life compared to a typical tomato.
It is an undeniable fact that the discovery of DNA had brought upon a huge impact to society. It’s been believed that there are many aspects of DNA which are waiting to be discovered for many years to come. However, it is undeniable that DNA breakthroughs had sparked numerous controversies. Today, GM products are still viewed negatively by certain groups of people. This issue has been exacerbated by the media as well, where the British press dubbed GM foods as “Frankenfoods” (Watson, 155). The conflict of scientists attempt to “play god” in the process of studying DNA, which may potentially disrupt naturally occurring processes. These conflicts should not be overlooked and relevant parties should work together to uphold ethics and reduce the negative impact of DNA towards society.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Barbara Kingsolver's A Fist In The Eye Of God

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    A substantial percentage of the work on the ethics of genetically modified food has primarily centralized on its potentially nocuous effects on human health and on the rights to label

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Food in Canada

    1508 Words  | 4 Pages

    A trip to any supermarket in Canada will reveal nothing out of ordinary, just the usual of array of fresh and packaged goods displayed in an inviting manner to attract customers. Everything appear familiar and reassuring, right? Think again. A closer microscopic inspection discloses something novel, a fundamental revolution in food technology. The technology is genetic engineering (GE), also known as biotechnology. Blue prints (DNA) of agricultural crops are altered and “spliced” with foreign genes to produce transgenic crops. Foods harvested from these agricultural plants are called, genetically modified (GM). Presently, Canada has no consumer notification; GM foods are being slipped to Canada’s foods without any labels or adequate risk assessments. This essay argues that GM foods should be rigorously and independently tested for safety; and, consumers be given the right to choose or reject GM foods through mandatory labels. What is the need for impartial examination of safety of transgenic foods? And why label them? GM foods are not “substantially equivalent” to conventional foods, genetic engineering of agricultural crops is not a mere extension of traditional plant breeding, and finally, there are human health implications associated with it.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of DNA Fingerprinting

    1124 Words  | 3 Pages

    Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an acclaimed extraordinary discovery that has contributed great benefits in several fields throughout the world. DNA evidence is accounted for in the majority of cases presented in the criminal justice system. It is known as our very own unique genetic fingerprint; “a chromosome molecule which carries genetic coding unique to each person with the only exception of identical twins (that is why it is also called 'DNA fingerprinting ')” (Duhaime, n.d.). DNA is found in the nuclei of cells of nearly all living things.

    Read More

  • Familial DNA Searching

    1418 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nowadays, DNA is a crucial component of a crime scene investigation, used to both to identify perpetrators from crime scenes and to determine a suspect’s guilt or innocence (Butler, 2005). The method of constructing a distinctive “fingerprint” from an individual’s DNA was first described by Alec Jeffreys in 1985. He discovered regions of repetitions of nucleotides inherent in DNA strands that differed from person to person (now known as variable number of tandem repeats, or VNTRs), and developed a technique to adjust the length variation into a definitive identity marker (Butler, 2005). Since then, DNA fingerprinting has been refined to be an indispensible source of evidence, expanded into multiple methods befitting different types of DNA samples. One of the more controversial practices of DNA forensics is familial DNA searching, which takes partial, rather than exact, matches between crime scene DNA and DNA stored in a public database as possible leads for further examination and information about the suspect. Using familial DNA searching for investigative purposes is a reliable and advantageous method to convict criminals.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of How Dangerous Are GMO Food

    933 Words  | 2 Pages

    Genetically modified food is a significant issue that America is currently dealing with; it has affected millions around the world. Genetically modified food is crops, plants, and animals whose DNA has been altered for agricultural and nutritional reasons. In the Alltime Conspiracies video, “How Dangerous Are GMO Food” he argues that GMOs can have budding effect on humans, and the more we consume the more damage that is being done to our DNA cells. The author Alltime Conspiracy begins building his credibility with personal facts plus highly regarded sources, citing credible facts and statistics,

    Read More

  • DNA Testing in Crime Scenes

    572 Words  | 2 Pages

    DNA, or deoxyribonucleic exists in all living organisms, is self-replicating and gives a person their unique characteristics. No two people have the same matching DNA. There are many different forms of DNA that are tested for situations such as criminal. Bodily fluids, hair follicles and bone tissues are some of the most common types of DNA that is tested in crime labs today. Although the discovery of DNA dates back to 1866 when Gregor Mendel proved the inheritance of factors in pea plants, DNA testing is relatively new and have been the prime factor when solving crimes in general. In 1966, scientists discovered a genetic code that made it possible to predict characteristics by studying DNA. This lead to genetic engineering and genetic counseling. In 1980, Organ was the first to have a conviction based off DNA fingerprinting and DNA testing in forensics cases became famous in 1995 during the O.J. Simpson trial (SMC History , 2011).

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of DNA Collection And Its Relationship To Solving Crime

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    Once a crime has been committed the most important item to recover is any type of evidence left at the scene. If the suspect left any Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the crime scene, he could then be linked to the crime and eventually charged. A suspect’s DNA can be recovered if the suspect leaves a sample of his or her DNA at the crime scene. However, this method was not always used to track down a suspect. Not too long ago, detectives used to use bite marks, blood stain detection, blood grouping as the primary tool to identify a suspect. DNA can be left or collected from the hair, saliva, blood, mucus, semen, urine, fecal matter, and even the bones. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science community to identify a suspect or victim since the use of fingerprinting. Moreover, since the introduction of this new technique it has been a la...

    Read More

  • The Collection and Retention of DNA

    1308 Words  | 3 Pages

    The collection of DNA in an investigation is used most often to determine who the perpetrator(s) might be in a crime. There has been a rapid growth since its inception and legal and ethical issues have arisen. In the Double –Helix Double-Edged ...

    Read More

  • Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations

    2857 Words  | 6 Pages

    Before the 1980s, courts relied on testimony and eyewitness accounts as a main source of evidence. Notoriously unreliable, these techniques have since faded away to the stunning reliability of DNA forensics. In 1984, British geneticist Alec Jeffreys of the University of Leicester discovered an interesting new marker in the human genome. Most DNA information is the same in every human, but the junk code between genes is unique to every person. Junk DNA used for investigative purposes can be found in blood, saliva, perspiration, sexual fluid, skin tissue, bone marrow, dental pulp, and hair follicles (Butler, 2011). By analyzing this junk code, Jeffreys found certain sequences of 10 to 100 base pairs repeated multiple times. These tandem repeats are also the same for all people, but the number of repetitions is highly variable. Before this discovery, a drop of blood at a crime scene could only reveal a person’s blood type, plus a few proteins unique to certain people. Now DNA forensics can expose a person’s gender, race, susceptibility to diseases, and even propensity for high aggression or drug abuse (Butler, 2011). More importantly, the certainty of DNA evidence is extremely powerful in court. Astounded at this technology’s almost perfect accuracy, the FBI changed the name of its Serology Unit to the DNA Analysis Unit in 1988 when they began accepting requests for DNA comparisons (Using DNA to Solve Crimes, 2014).

    Read More

  • Privacy Concerns

    1644 Words  | 4 Pages

    Most studies have shown that popular opinion holds that without a doubt national DNA databases have proved useful in criminal investigations (Wallace, 2006, pS27). The concept of a national DNA database has raised concern about privacy and human rights as seen through the scope of public safety. All of these concerns are elevated with databases include convicted, arrestee, innocent, and “rehabilitated” offenders (Suter, 2010, p339). Robin Williams of University of Duham (2006) asserts that:

    Read More

  • Speech: Genetically Engineered Designer Babies

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    Parents now have the possibility of testing genes for mutations and genetic problems (BBC News).

    Read More

  • Overview of the Importance of DNA

    1575 Words  | 4 Pages

    Simply put, DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce. The discovery and use of DNA has seen many changes and made great progress over many years. James Watson was a pioneer molecular biologist who is credited, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, with discovering the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. The three won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962 for their work (Bagley, 2013). Scientists use the term “double helix” to describe DNA’s winding, two-stranded chemical structure.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of DNA Recognition Technology

    1498 Words  | 3 Pages

    Deoxyribonucleic acid is what carries the hereditary and genetic code of humans. Each human has chromosomes that carry their DNA, 23 received from the mother and 23 from the father totaling 46. Most DNA is not different from other individuals, only 0.10% of each person’s DNA is unique. Law enforcement is able to track down suspected criminals by analyzing this small percentage. As stated in DNA biometrics, “The chance of two individuals sharing the same DNA profile is less than one in a hundred billion” (DNA Biometrics). With this being said, once law enforcement has obtained an individual’s DNA at a crime scene, they are able to run it through their labs and databases to find out which individual they are looking for. Many different items from your body can be used to obtain your DNA such as blood, hair, saliva, tissue, and semen (DNA Biometrics).

    Read More

  • Genetic Testing or Genetic Screening

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    Genetic testing, also known as screening, is a rapidly advancing new scientific field that can potentially revolutionize not only the world of medicine, but many aspects of our lives. Genetic screening is the sequencing of human DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may prove pathological. As genetic screening becomes more advanced and easily accessible, it presents society with difficult questions that must be asked about the boundaries of science and to what degree we are allowed to tamper with the human genome. To better understand the potential impact of genetic screening on our society, we must examine the potential benefits in comparison to the possible negative impact it may cause. With this knowledge in hand, we can examine what the future holds for this field of study and the best possible direction to take.

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Genetically Modified Food Production

    4155 Words  | 9 Pages

    As human technological innovation proceeds into the twenty-first century, society is faced with many complex issues. Genetic engineering and cloning, encryption and information security, and advanced weapons technologies are all prominent examples of technological issues that have substantial moral and ethical implications. Genetic engineering in particular is currently a very volatile subject. One important aspect of this field is GMO or Genetically Modified Organisms, which has far-reaching potential to revolutionize modern agriculture. GMO crops are already being developed by many leading biotech companies, and have come under intense scrutiny by society. This is easily understood, however, because there is not much that is more important than how people get fed. Specifically, where their food comes from, and how it is produced. Thus, it is essential that we examine the ethical dilemmas as well as the practical benefits posed by such a powerful technology.

    Read More

More about The Discovery of DNA

Open Document