To clone a human embryo is to produce another embryo with identical genetic makeup. This process has huge potential: scientists can turn stem cells harvested from cloned embryos into any other kind of cell. But is it moral to create an embryo for the singular purpose of harvesting its cells?
This article provides the reader with an overview of two chromosomal abnormalities; reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations, along with a discussion about how translocations impact fertility.
Nearly 80% of the woolly mammoth genome has been sequenced, thanks to fabulously preserved specimens from the Siberian permafrost. The genetic material will provide insights into the extinction of the species as well as once again raising the prospect of cloning dead animals.
Very little is known about the genetics of hazel eyes. Whilst biology can explain blue, brown and green eyes, it’s left to theoretical models to fill in the gaps for hazel eye color.
A gene pool is the totality of genetic information in a species. Gene pools vary in size and can grow and shrink. Warning bells sound when a gene pool diminishes too much, as it signals that a species is threatened with extinction.
Why and how is DNA more stable than RNA? This is one of the most fundamental questions in genetics. DNA is the genetic material and therefore has to be stable to carry hereditary information. Find out about DNA stability and more in the following article.
The interactions between the host and influenza are important for understanding the virus itself and for analyzing efficacies of influenza vaccines or anti-viral drugs. A more complete picture is emerging as more studies are done.
Huntington’s disease is a very serious medical condition with rising statistics. Learn more about how a person gets Huntington’s Disease and the new research to find an effective treatment or cure.
The DNA molecule contains all the information needed for an organism to develop and function. It’s locked up inside the four chemical bases, adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine. The diversity of life comes from a rearrangement of their sequences.
The goal of genetic engineering is to make debilitating diseases a thing of the past. While this is a noble goal, this branch of science also has risks. Learn about the pros and cons of genetic engineering and decide for yourself if the benefits outweigh these risks.
