You have likely heard about genetics, a word that’s been thrown around a lot in recent times. To clear stuff up, here’s a brief purview into the fascinating world of genes, heredity and how traits are inherited across generations. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA. This discovery was only made possible by Dr Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray diffraction work at King’s. The Human Genome Project, started in 1990 and completed in 200, was an international scientific research project founded to determine the base pairs that make up human DNA and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of the genes of the human genome from both a physical and a functional standpoint. Genetic Engineering emerges as a revolutionising force in the topic of genetics; it consists of scientists manipulating genes for medical breakthroughs, enhanced agricultural yields and technological innovations. Genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease show us how genetic mutations can be dangerous, prompting a big effort to develop effective treatments. Epigenetics is another discovery in the field: that genes can slightly change because of the environment, even without fiddling with DNA’s actual structure. There’s also a game-changing technology called CRISPR-Cas9 that helps make precise changes to genetic structure and helps create novel genetic constructs. Genetic diversity is crucial for survival because it makes us better at handling life’s difficulties. Now, advanced genetic testing helps people discover their family history and who their parents are. When genetic disorders cause difficulties we can turn to genetic counseling to simplify the decision-making process. To conclude, genes are the building blocks of a species and the poetic architects of diversity. Without them, life wouldn’t just be boring, it would simply cease to exist, the inheritance and adaptability never coming into play.
Anant Agarwal, 8B
