In the course of our discussions about the merits of genetic developments, it almost seems as if we are on the very brink of radical genetic changes. Eugenics seems so close; after all, we have already isolated many genes that point to particular traits. Our known genetic library is vast; we have truly entered into the stage of mass genetic mapping. All that is remains is a few simple manipulations using proven methods such as viral vectors, right? Unfortunately, as a recent article in the New York Times can attest, this goal is far from coming into fruition.
Columnist Olivia Judson puts it best when she writes, “We have accumulated huge databases on human genetic differences- but many of the differences appear to be more or less irrelevant. Scientists have now accumulated a significant amount of genetic data, but for the most part, we don’t know how to interpret it. Some gene translations are obvious; Down syndrome and Huntington’s disease come to mind as examples where the genetic coding is definitely known. But for many physical traits such as height and appearance, the connection between the genetic makeup and the physical results are still not there. This is surprising, considering that there has been much research concerning the phenotypes of genes and the subsequent sequences, but the fact remains that there has not been a direct translation done. One can only guess at the phenotypes using existing models (a tall person should have a height-favoring genes in known locations for examples). If presented with a full map of the human genome, no method exists to fully replicate a human according to the information. There are so many genes that influence a particular factor, but a single gene does not affect the phenotype very much.
On top of this, our vast computational abilities have only managed to decode a very small percentage of the total traits expressed by genes. For example, Judson brings up the fact that the components of height that have been discovered only account for three percent of the total variation. There is a significant percentage still waiting to be discovered. So it is best not to hope for any earth-shattering developments regarding genetics just yet; there is still a lot of work to be done.
Websites Relevant to the Post
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/opinion/17judson.html?_r=1
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment