Genetics Articles

Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is trying to achieve the seemingly impossible; make incurable diseases a thing of the past. When applied to farming the aim is to increase pest resistance and boost yields. It's highly controversial. This article looks at the pros and cons of genetic engineering.

Published by Paul (4,183 pts ) on Nov 19, 2008 to
Genetics Articles
Genetics of Tay-Sachs Disease

Tay-Sachs disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord causing severe mental and developmental retardation.

Published by Rafael B. (3,060 pts ) on Nov 18, 2008 to
Genetics Articles
Spina Bifida and Genetics

Spina bifida is the most common neural tube birth defect in the United States. At the present time the causes of spina bifida are unknown, though it is strongly believed that both genetics and the environment are contributing factors.

Published by Rafael B. (3,060 pts ) on Nov 18, 2008 to
Genetics Articles

Free Anti-Virus Removal

Your body comes equipped with its own free anti-virus removal programme, in the form of white blood cells. Read on to find out how they guard the front line and maintain your body's defences.

Published by Paul (4,183 pts ) on Nov 17, 2008 to
Genetics Articles
Are There Genes for Gender Identity?

The classic nature-versus-nurture debate is especially pronounced in questions of gender identity. Is it a product of culture, as many feminists argue, or of genetic makeup?

Published by Jessica Gross (311 pts ) on Nov 17, 2008 to
Genetics Articles
Genetic Mutations and the Spread of Influenza Worldwide

Influenza virus infection is a public health threat worldwide. Genetic sequence mutations are studied to reveal more about the associations between the structure and function of influenza viruses; knowledge that can help the design of influenza vaccines and anti-viral drugs.

Published by Dr. Pharm Tao (88 pts ) on Nov 17, 2008 to
Genetics Articles

The Race for the $1000 Genome

Fast and cheap; that's the future of gene sequencing. Dozens of companies are in a race to be the first to be able to sequence a human genome in under a day for $1000. There's big money to be made as participants believe that if analysis was more affordable many of us would take advantage of it.

Published by Paul (4,183 pts ) on Nov 16, 2008 to
Genetics Articles
Bacteriophages: Viruses that Attack Bacteria

Did you know that you, your pets and other animals are not the only targets of viruses? There are viruses that specifically 'seek out' bacteria and kill them. They are known as bacteriophages and are the foundations upon which present knowledge and understanding of molecular biology has been built.

Published by bala (367 pts ) on Nov 16, 2008 to
Genetics Articles
The Genetics Behind Blonde Hair

Hair color is based on the amount of melanin, or pigmentation, present in the hair. Two types of melanin affect hair color: eumelanin (which can be black or brown) and phaeomelanin. The amount of each type of melanin depends on the expression of a series of genes.

Published by Jessica Gross (311 pts ) on Nov 16, 2008 to
Genetics Articles
Erwin Chargaff and the History of Genetics

Erwin Chargaff (1905-2002), a gifted scientist in many fields, made several major contributions to the history of genetics. Rules that were named after him laid the foundations for Crick and Watson's seminal paper on the structure of DNA.

Published by Paul (4,183 pts ) on Nov 14, 2008 to
Genetics Articles