Thousands of potions have been created over the years promising the drinker eternal life. Now unless you’re about to celebrate the 900th birthday of your grandchildren none have worked. But the key to long life might be hidden deep inside our cells. So could there be a longevity gene or genes?
Yes, even Fido’s had his genome probed, prodded and mapped. The final version of the dog genome was published in 2005 and its main aims are to improve canine and human health.
Genghis Khan may have left his genetic mark on millions of people today, but not so Oetzi the Iceman. Part of his genome has undergone another thorough analysis and it turns out that he belongs to a genetic lineage that is rare today or has died out.
Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue and is caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15. It’s believed to affect 1 in 5,000 people and its most noticeable characteristics are a tall, thin physique.
Cloning has been one of the biggest biological stories of the last 100 years. There haven’t been any human clones yet, although human embryos have been cloned. But cows, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep have all had clones created. The technology has a long history. These are some of the landmark moments.
By the time you spot the early signs of baldness, your hair is already on its way out. But genetic testing may be able to predict your risk of thinning hair much sooner, allowing you to find the most appropriate treatments to keep your hair for longer.
Scientists have created a genetically modified tomato that has been shown to extend the lifespans of mice with cancer. It offers the prospect of creating a fruit that is rich in even more properties that are beneficial to health.
Genetics - the theory which explains how inherited characteristics are passed from one generation to the next, and natural selection, which allows fitter individuals to survive and breed more often than others, together provide a coherent account of evolution.
