How DNA changed the vision of the world.
By: Alejandra Duran (eighth grade)​
How could scientists claim they found the “secret of life” when they discovered DNA and its structure, (Watson and Crick, 1953) if there are more than 8 million species on Earth (Mora, 2011)? I believe, they knew the tremendous and concrete impact on development it would generate. In effect, they were right: today we evidence the utilization of DNA exams and research everywhere, which is what will be exposed in this text. The aspects we will mention are: the multiple laboratory processes and previous concepts DNA revolutionized since, just as our own fingerprint, it is unique to each human being. The study and application of DNA began initially within the scientific community, but as its utilities were discovered, it became a worldwide concept which caused a global vision.
The immediate reaction after Watson and Crick (1953) published DNA’s helical shape and semi-conservative replication was to manipulate the molecule. First, organizing and sequencing the genes and bases had to be done, starting the Human Genome Project (1990). Meanwhile, DNA´s role in various hereditary diseases was examined at a molecular level, knowing long ago that it is related to heredity (Avery, 1944). In fact, the new area of genetics confirmed that failures in genes generate a disease/abnormality or a susceptibility to it, discovering oncogenes and tumor suppressors that cause cancer, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (Bishop and Varmus, 1977). Methods for correcting the mutated genes of certain conditions were developed. These days, the CRISPR is the most advanced one (Doudna and Charpentier, 2012).
This type of genetic engineering has brought controversy: some support the increased food production and possible genetic design, while others warn about health and ethical issues.
For another part, wanting to differentiate and relate (family) each one of us through DNA, methods such as DNA fingerprinting were developed (Jeffrey, 1984).
It represents genes as line patterns and has been essential in the solving of criminal and paternity cases in a reliable way. Besides, the method was introduced to archeology, permitting us to track our existence back to Africa by carefully examining ancient samples (Cann, Stoneking and Wilson, 1987). Historical gaps have been clarified, important characters recognized, and we realized that all of us come from the same place.
In conclusion, deciphering DNA brought biology, medicine, forensics, agriculture, archeology and life itself a great evolution. We could comprehend how a pattern of 4 bases and its copies end up in a cell. Genetics and genetic engineering present a huge range of possibilities to prevent diseases or to make designer babies a reality. It´s a topic popularly known and commented as well as constantly studied, and I believe we are getting closer to other unthinkable discoveries. Therefore, I can state that our perceptions today, concerning not only DNA but also the curiosity and opportunities it implies, are far distinct from the ones before the year 2,000. Inevitably, they will keep changing. We´re witnesses of all the advancement genetics are causing, and we can´t ignore it.
Additionally, medical exams that predict genetic sicknesses were designed. A karyotype, for example, reveals the shape and number of chromosomes (Tjio, 1956), it tells the genetic health of a baby and allows parents to reasonably decide whether to continue a pregnancy or not. For those who choose to go on, a treatment called “gene therapy” will be applied.(Friedmann and Roblin, 1972). DNA mutations have been understood and completing the human genome code in 2003 permitted biomedical research.Similarly, modifying DNA in food and animals, even replicating them, has been practiced. GMO (genetically modified organisms) plants are adjusted to result in larger and better harvests, so we can consume them (Boyer and Cohen, 1972). Animals of this type exist but are banned for consumption. Certain mammals have been cloned by controlling the DNA of an adult cell and raising it into new ones (Wilmut and Campbell, 1996).
